FAS Dean of Science

To: FAS faculty
Cc: FAS Dean's Office; FAS Steering; Provost's Office; President's Office; Vice Presidents; University Cabinet; GSAS Dean's Office; Yale College Dean's Office; SEAS Dean's Office; SEAS faculty; Office of Public Affairs and Communication; Office of Faculty Administrative Services

Dear colleagues,

I write with the bittersweet news that, after four years of service, Larry Gladney, Professor of Physics, has informed me he will be stepping down from his role as the FAS Dean of Science at the end of this academic year, prior to his retirement from the Yale faculty in December 2026.

Larry is a renowned physicist who works at the intersection of experimental particle physics and cosmology. He is also a leader in science outreach, widely known for his work expanding access to education. Larry served as the inaugural Phyllis A. Wallace Dean of Diversity and Faculty Development in the FAS from 2019 to 2025. In that role, he provided the FAS with strong and principled leadership in crafting our faculty search processes and building our culture of mentorship. He began his term as the FAS Dean of Science in July 2022. 

As FAS Dean of Science, Larry has championed curiosity-driven science and led plans to advance the division and the FAS. He worked closely with departments and colleagues across the university to recruit and retain faculty, achieving notable successes in this area. He has played a key role in university-wide planning efforts for development on Science Hill, and oversaw external review processes for multiple departments in the Science division. And on top of his decanal responsibilities, Larry has continued to teach seminars for graduate students in Physics. Larry is a thoughtful leader, a brilliant scientist, and a dedicated educator, and his contributions to the FAS and to Yale have been invaluable. 

Early in January I will appoint a faculty advisory committee to guide the selection of Larry’s successor as the FAS Dean of Science, in a process that will take place in the first half of the spring semester. I am very grateful to Larry who has agreed to provide guidance and support to the next Dean of Science next fall, to ease the transition.

I hope you all will join me in thanking Larry for his dedicated leadership and exceptional service to the Science division, the FAS, and the university as a whole.

Sincerely,

Steven
Steven Wilkinson
Dean
Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Yale University