Virginia Gov. James S. Gilmore III paid a low-profile visit to Grounds yesterday as his son, Jay, toured the University as a prospective student.
Jay said he enjoyed his day here.
"I love it. I have been coming here since before I could walk," he said after an interview in the Office of Admissions.
Jay now is a junior at Mills Godwin High School in Western Henrico County.
Gilmore said his son is just beginning to "look around" at colleges.
Jay's visit yesterday marked his first visit and interview as a prospective student at any school.
Officials from the Office of Admissions said they were excited about Jay's visit.
"Of course a visit from the Governor of Virginia is a special occasion," Associate Dean of Admissions Linda Miller said.
Miller said the Office of Admissions did little to prepare for Jay's visit because this is one of its busiest times of the year.
Miller added that celebrity visits to the University are very unusual and that admissions officials were pleased to meet with the Governor's son.
Jay said he plans to look primarily at in-state schools and that the University is at the top of his list.
"As of now, U.Va. is my first choice," he said.
Although he has been visiting the University since he was young, Jay said he could definitely see himself as a student here. "The campus is beautiful, the school has great sports" and he always has had a good time when visiting the University with his family, he said.
Gilmore said he was convinced that the University would be his son's first choice college because both he and his wife hold degrees from the University.
Gilmore graduated from the College in 1971 and also is a 1977 graduate of the Law School. His wife, First Lady Roxane Gilmore, holds a BA and an MA from the University and now is completing her Ph.D. in ancient history.
Jay said he does not yet know what he would like to study in college, but he tries to be a good student.
Logan Self, a first-year volunteer in the Office of Admissions, said he enjoyed meeting Jay.
He "seems like a very nice and personable guy," Self said.
Gilmore said he and his son had been looking forward to attending the University men's basketball game against Wake Forest last night.
Jay said he thought it promised to be a good game. "We need to win," he said.
He said he had not been to a University basketball game since he was six years old.
But he attended almost all the football games and added that if he could not actually be there, he was "there in spirit."
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