Former Virginia Gov. Gerald L. Baliles will lead the Miller Center of Public Affairs as the fifth director of the Center, which researches U.S. and international policy.
"I am delighted with this opportunity to lead the Miller Center in the future, and it is a great opportunity to return to the Charlottesville area," Baliles said.
University President John T. Casteen, III selected Baliles Dec. 16, 2005. Baliles will assume the position of director officially April 1.
Casteen said he chose Baliles to run the Miller Center because of Baliles' strong political past.
"The Miller Center's search committee conducted the search -- did so very well, and presented the [former governor's] name," Casteen said in an e-mail. "He has a long history of involvement in public affairs and in public policy work, as well as substantial national visibility because of work he has done on the public broadcasting system, transportation infrastructure, the governance of universities, and other matters."
George Gilliam, Miller Center director of special programs, said Baliles' political and academic backgrounds will make him a great leader.
"Among all the politicians I have ever met, including [President] Bill Clinton, Governor Baliles is the most celebrated," Gilliam said. "He is extremely, widely and deeply read in all kinds of areas."
The position of director allows Baliles to bring his past experience as governor into play to manage the Center, Gilliam said.
"I do not think [the Commonwealth] has ever enjoyed better management than when he was running things," he said.
Baliles said he has always been interested in using public policy to better the lives of individuals.
"I've seen the importance one individual can have on the development of public policy," he said. "My experiences have given me skills I think will be of use as I begin to look at the Miller Center plans for the future."
On a fundraising level, Casteen said Baliles will help the Center maintain its level of national prominence.
"The Miller Center needs leadership in fundraising because its programs now cost more than Mr. Miller's estate provided," he said. "It needs presence on the national scene. It needs (as all centers do) constant attention to its programs and personnel."
Gilliam also said Baliles' knowledge of campaigns and the political process provides the Center with invaluable resources.
"He has run two state-wide political campaigns," Gilliam said. "He knows how to raise money. He has two very important skills -- he knows how to ask for money and who to ask."
While Gilliam said he cannot provide information at this time concerning exactly what programs Baliles will lead or help conduct, he said Baliles will announce those initiatives when he formally assumes the position of director.
"There are several dimensions where he adds a lot," Gilliam said.
On a personal level, Gilliam said Baliles' interests illustrate his commitment to learning.
"Unlike the normal picture of a politician, Baliles is a guy who would spend free time plowing through a stack of history or political science or political theory books," he said. "He is somebody who is very engaged intellectually."
Baliles said he will first assess the Miller Center's current projects before beginningnew initiatives.
"I want to first listen and learn before embarking on a set course," he said.
Read More
From the archives: Nov. 25 – Dec. 1
By Emma Todd and Grace Franklin | 20 hours agoThe day before Thanksgiving in 1981, the University was gifted with its first snow of the year!
Student Council hears from Director of Diversity Education, talks parking fines
By Vyshnavi Tatta | YesterdayLaw Rep. Kasey Michaud introduced a bill encouraging students to donate food to local pantries by offering reductions in parking fees as an incentive.
10 years later — student journalists discuss retracted “Rolling Stone” article
By Merrill Hart | YesterdayThe graphic narrative ignited protests both on Grounds and at a national level.
