BATON ROUGE – Gary Byerly, current associate dean in the LSU College of Science and professor in the college’s Department of Geology & Geophysics, has been named dean of the LSU Graduate School, effective Jan. 1, pending LSU System Board of Supervisors approval.

Byerly, who was one of three finalists for the position, has taught at LSU for the past 34 years. During that time, he has served as graduate adviser and department chair in the Department of Geology & Geophysics and as a visiting professor at the University of Cape Town, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University, where he is also a consulting professor. He holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Michigan State University.

As dean of the LSU Graduate School, Byerly has said that he plans to enhance the school’s diversity, affordability and recruiting efforts. He shared his vision for the school when he addressed the campus on Dec. 7, during his public forum that was part of the hiring process.

“We have full confidence in his [Byerly’s] ability to lead the Graduate School into the future,” said Thomas Klei, LSU interim vice chancellor for research and economic development. “I would like to thank all of the candidates for the position, especially the finalists, who each addressed the campus during the past month. Their dedication to LSU and their efforts in sharing their views about the Graduate School are very much appreciated. I am also grateful to the members of the search committee for the time and attention they devoted to this process.”

Officially formed in 1931, the LSU Graduate School centrally administers approximately 120 programs across the campus. LSU offers doctoral programs in 45 major fields of study. These programs offer opportunities for advanced training and research in all areas of the sciences, social sciences and humanities. Master’s degree programs are offered in 70 major fields. To learn more about the LSU Graduate School, visit http://gradlsu.gs.lsu.edu.