PROVO — Academic Vice President John S. Tanner announced the appointment of John David Bell as the new dean of undergraduate education at Brigham Young University.

The appointment is effective July 1. He succeeds Gary L. Hatch, who has been serving as interim dean.

"Dr. Bell brings to this position not only a strong record as a teacher and scholar but significant administrative experience as a long-time associate dean in the College of Life Sciences," said Tanner. "In addition, he brings special passion for and nationally recognized expertise in improving student learning. He has piloted ways to engage students in active learning, even in large general education classes."

As dean of undergraduate education, Bell, with his associates will supervise and foster essential university-wide elements of the baccalaureate: first-year experience, Freshman Academy, general education, Honors Program and university writing.

A professor in the Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Bell received his undergraduate degree from BYU in 1986 and a doctorate in physiology and pharmacology from the University of California, La Jolla, in 1987.

He was a postdoctoral fellow in pharmacology at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, from 1987 to 1990, then joined the BYU faculty.