LAS names Colorado State dean to replace Beate Schmittmann

Jay Waagmeester, Academics Editor | November 17, 2023

Catt Hall, a collective for liberal art services on central campus was built in 1883. The building was renovated in 1995 after being placed under the National Register of Historic Places. 2224 Osborn Dr, Ames, Iowa, Aug. 31, 2023.

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences announced the replacement for Dean Beate Schmittmann, who will retire after the current academic year.

Benjamin Withers currently serves the Colorado State College of Liberal Arts as dean and will start as the Iowa State College of Liberal Arts and Sciences dean in April.

Withers visited campus in October, where he visited with university administration and students and hosted an open forum, where he discussed his philosophy on higher education and answered questions from current LAS faculty.

In his open forum opportunity, Withers emphasized the importance of researching solutions to problems in higher education in the same way colleges conduct research on all topics. Withers also spoke on the evolving world of student recruitment, retention and student success during his October visit.

Benjamin Withers, dean of the Colorado State University College of Liberal Arts, is one of four dean candidate finalists. (Photo courtesy of the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost)

“I am humbled and excited for this opportunity to lead the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” Withers stated in a news release. “The great breadth of the college, spanning the physical and social sciences and humanities, enables our faculty and staff to positively impact every student on campus, and I look forward to helping the college advance toward its goals.”

President Wendy Wintersteen welcomed the new dean, who, starting April 15, will oversee the college with the second highest enrollment.

“Benjamin Withers brings a wealth of experience to Iowa State University, including service as a department chair, dean and associate provost,” Wintersteen stated in a news release. “Dr. Withers also understands the deep value of public and land-grant institutions, and we are pleased he will build upon the legacy of Dean Schmittmann.”

Schmittmann announced her retirement in March, which prompted the search. Four finalists visited campus in October, including Withers. The other finalists included Caleb Everett, the senior associate dean for academics affairs at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, Amy Thompson, chair of the department of world languages, literatures and linguistics at West Virginia University and Hridesh Rajan, chair of the department of computer science at Iowa State.

Withers has been the Colorado State Liberal Arts dean since 2016. Withers’ doctorate degree in art history from the University of Chicago focused on early medieval manuscripts, and his undergraduate degree is from Carleton college in Minnesota.

Withers taught at Indiana University South Bend and University of Kentucky before joining Colorado State.