Thomas Mitzel, who left Trinity nearly two years ago to become a dean at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, will return to the College on July 1 as dean of the faculty and vice president for academic affairs. The appointment is for three years.

A former chemistry professor at Trinity who also served three years as associate dean of academic affairs, Mitzel was the unanimous choice of the Faculty Search Committee.

He will succeed Rena Fraden, who left Trinity in January to accept a position at the College of the Pacific. Richard Prigodich, professor of chemistry, has served as interim dean of the faculty and will continue in this capacity until June 30.

Mitzel joined Trinity’s faculty in 1996 and rose through the ranks, becoming a professor in
2011. He was the recipient of the Arthur H. Hughes Award for Excellence in Teaching for New and Continuing Faculty in 2003. Mitzel has also been awarded grants from numerous sources,
including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Science Foundation, Pfizer, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and most recently, the W.M. Keck Foundation.

Mitzel holds a B.S. in chemistry from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota,
and a Ph.D. in physical organic chemistry from Boston College. Prior to his arrival at Trinity in 1996, he was a postdoctoral fellow at The Ohio State University.