Laurent Boetsch was elected acting president of Washington and Lee University on August 3, 2001, following the death of John W. Elrod. He will remain acting president through June 30. W&L’S 24th president will take office on July 1, 2002.

Boetsch received his bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University (Class of 1969) and his master’s and doctorate of Modern Languages from Middlebury College.

He joined W&L’s faculty in 1976 as an instructor of Romance Languages. He moved through the faculty ranks as assistant, associate and full professor and was named head of the Romance Languages department in 1992.

Boetsch was selected by Elrod to serve as associate dean of the college from 1989-1992 and was named vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college in 1996.

Boetsch has published in Spain and in the United States on themes related to 20th century Spanish literature and civilization. He is the author of Jose Diaz Fernandez y la otra generacion del 27, published in Madrid.

He and his wife, Elizabeth, have two daughters, Alden and Lauren.