Boone named as dean of LU College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Rebecca Boone has been appointed dean of the Lamar University (LU) College of Arts and Sciences. She brings nearly three decades of higher education work experience to the role.

Dr. Boone holds a Ph.D. in History from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, a Master of Arts in History from the University of South Alabama, and a Bachelor of Arts in History from University of Alabama.

A cerebral and cultural historian, she has been a professor of history at LU for the last 23 years, as well as chair of the history and university studies departments. Dr. Boone has worked in various administrative capacities within the College of Arts and Sciences, most recently serving as interim dean since 2024.

"I have been at Lamar University for 23 years, so I know so many faculty and staff around campus," Boone said. "As dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, I guarantee the academic integrity of the 12 departments that make up the college. I also provide an administrative framework that supports students and scholars."

She says her main priorities center around student experiences and highlighting the educational impact of the college.

"I have two goals," Boone said. "The first is to create experiences for our students that are truly magical. The second is to make Lamar a powerhouse among Texas universities in terms of knowledge creation."

Dr. Boone has taught courses on the Renaissance and Reformation, Early Modern Europe, the French Revolution, The Atlantic World, Ancient Greece and Rome, Food in World History, among many others.

Her teaching on world cultures gained praise from the Center for Educational Policy, and she has written dozens of works including books, articles, chapters, online publications and more. With presentations spanning from world history to food and culture, Boone has shared her knowledge both nationally and internationally at conferences and universities alike.

"Coming into this role, I felt kind of like a kid in a candy shop," she said. "I get to learn new things every day - whether I'm reading a research proposal in computer science about using robots on boats, or hearing a student talking about analyzing the molecular structure or telomeres. Some days I attend lectures about history, and others I get to hear professors read their beautiful poetry. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world."

Looking ahead, Dr. Boone plans to remain focused on investing in the faculty, staff and students who make up the College of Arts and Sciences.

"What excites me most about this role is helping people maximize their potential, however they define it," she said. "Our faculty are so passionate about their fields. I want to harness that energy to move this college forward."