UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — B. Richard Page, associate professor of German and linguistics, will become associate dean for undergraduate studies in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts effective July 1.
“I am delighted that Richard has agreed to join the dean’s office as associate dean for undergraduate studies,” said Susan Welch, dean of the College of the Liberal Arts. “He has an abiding commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, and I know he will work hard toward that end. Richard and I worked closely together when he was department head, and I look forward to doing so again.”
Page joined the Penn State faculty in 1995, one year after receiving his doctorate in German linguistics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He served as the head of the Penn State Department of German and Slavic Languages and Literatures from 2008 until 2015.
Page’s research interests include older Germanic dialects, historical linguistics, language change, language contact, Pennsylvania German, and phonology. With Aaron Rubin, he co-edited “Studies in Classical Linguistics in Honor of Philip Baldi” (Brill), and with Michael Putnam, he co-edits the book series “Studies in Germanic Linguistics” (John Benjamins).
Page has also worked with colleagues, the Mifflin County Mennonite Historical Society, and Penn State University Libraries to collect oral histories of Pennsylvania German Anabaptists in nearby Big Valley.
“I am both honored and humbled to become the associate dean for undergraduate studies for the College of the Liberal Arts,” Page said. “I share the college’s commitment to the liberal arts values of critical thinking, communication, ethical leadership, and engagement with a diverse world.
“The college offers an excellent liberal arts education with enrichment opportunities for global experiences, internships, and undergraduate research. I look forward to working with students, faculty, staff and alumni to make the educational experience even better for all undergraduate students studying in the College of the Liberal Arts.”