David Burrows, who has served as Lawrence’s provost and dean of the faculty since July of 2005, has announced plans to retire from this position and return to teaching.
Burrows will leave his position as the college’s chief academic officer June 30, 2017 to become a full-time member of the Lawrence faculty as a professor of psychology. As part of this work, he will lead a new effort that will foster collaboration with faculty to develop ideas and programs for liberal learning pedagogy. Significant advances have been achieved in understanding how
individuals learn and Burrows wants to help Lawrence take advantage of these developments. This new effort will allow Lawrence faculty to better understand these advances in the science of learning and incorporate these concepts into the classroom, laboratory and studio.
A national search for a new dean and provost will begin this spring.
As provost and dean of the faculty, Burrows serves as chair of the curriculum committee and the financial planning committee and is responsible for the recruitment of new faculty, participation in reappointment and tenure decisions as well as budget planning.
Among the highlights of his tenure, Burrows cited his role in hiring 75 exceptional new faculty members who continue Lawrence’s tradition of great teachers and his involvement in developing Lawrence’s Senior Experience program. This capstone program engages every senior in a culminating academic project that demonstrates proficiency in their major field of study, integration of knowledge and skills gained during their years at Lawrence, and development of scholarly or artistic independence.
Burrows also was instrumental in helping implement the Lawrence Fellows in the Liberal Arts and Sciences program for emerging scholars who recently finished their graduate degrees.
“I have enjoyed immensely being a part of Lawrence in my administrative role,” Burrows said in announcing his retirement plans. “We have a wonderful faculty characterized by talent and dedication. My colleagues on the cabinet and other staff members are also talented and are clearly working hard for Lawrence. I have enjoyed a strong and close relationship with President Mark Burstein. We have great students with outstanding potential for growth and achievement. Everyone has been very supportive and for that I am grateful.”
“It has been a privilege and pleasure to work closely with Dave for the past three years,” said Burstein. “His passion for liberal arts education, administrative capacity and care for each individual member of the Lawrence community will be greatly missed. I am thankful his leadership and talents will continue to be felt on campus as a faculty member and leader of our new effort to renew pedagogy.”
A native of New York City, Burrows joined the Lawrence administration after spending eight years as dean of the college and vice president for academic affairs at Beloit College, where he also taught in the psychology department.
“(Dave’s) passion for liberal arts education, administrative capacity and care for each individual member of the Lawrence community will be greatly missed.”
— President Mark Burstein
Burrows enjoyed a lengthy teaching career as a cognitive psychologist before becoming a college administrator. He spent eight years on the faculty at the State University of New York at Brockport and 17 years at Skidmore College, including three as associate dean of the faculty.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Columbia University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Toronto.
An avid cyclist, youth ice hockey referee and sports enthusiast, Burrows has been a fixture at home contests of Lawrence football and hockey and has served as a guest athletic coach at the invitation of the volleyball team.
His interests in education extends beyond the campus borders. He is a member of the board of directors of the Appleton Education Foundation and is a former chair (2012-14) of the board of directors of the Fox Valley Literacy Council, for which he still serves as a board member.
About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.
