Richard Shryock appointed to Robert and Beatrice Mahan Professorship in French

Richard Shryock, associate professor of French in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been appointed to the Robert and Beatrice Mahan Professorship in French.

The Mahan Professor of French was established by Robert and Beatrice Mahan to support teaching and research in French literature, language, history, and culture.

Shryock has been a faculty member at Virginia Tech since 1987. His research on the Symbolist movement in 19th century France explores the emergence of an oppositional position relative to the dominant values of the Third Republic. This research on alternative expressions through literature, art, and politics addresses the essential question of humanities scholarship, which is to recognize, interpret, and acknowledge the possibility of alternative visions of the human community. It has resulted in numerous publications, invited talks, and presentations, including a major exhibit on Gustave Kahn hosted by the Museum of Jewish Art and History of Paris.

Shryock has been recognized by the university with an advising award for his mentoring of students. For many years, he led a study abroad program in Paris, advancing Virginia Tech’s international presence. Working with colleagues, he secured a major federal grant to support interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships across the university.

Formerly as department chair, Shryock coordinated a substantial expansion in the number of languages taught, the growth in faculty, and the scholarly reputation.

Shryock received his bachelor’s degree in French from the Ohio State University, a master’s degree in French from the University of Michigan, a Diplôme d’Etudes Approfondies from Université de Haute Bretagne, and a Ph.D. in French from the University of Michigan.