The University of Richmond announced Friday its selection of Ed Ayers, dean of the University's College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, to become Richmond's ninth president as of July 1, 2007.
"I've been at U.Va. for 26 years and have been blessed in countless ways by that association," said Ayers in an e-mail to faculty, departmental administration and other University staff members. "My time as dean has only strengthened my love for this place. But the opportunity to serve as president at an institution dedicated to so many of the things to which I am devoted -- undergraduate education, civic engagement, the integration of the liberal arts into a broad education -- is compelling to me. The University of Richmond promises to be a wonderful new home."
According to University spokesperson Carol Wood, Ayers will continue to teach classes in the history department through the upcoming spring semester.
"I think [the fact] that I've taught every semester that I've been dean sort of demonstrates where my real passion lies -- it's my connection with the students," Ayers said.
Ayers noted he will continue advising his graduate students as they complete their doctoral process.
"I'll miss everything about the University of Virginia," Ayers said. "The thing that really leaps into my mind is walking across the Lawn at night. I'm really going to miss my friends ... It hasn't really sunk in yet. I just know I'm going to take advantage of the last seven or eight months."
The University has yet to form a search committee to determine who will replace Ayers, Wood said, noting, however, that University Provost Gene Block will appoint members "probably over the next month or so."
According to University President John T. Casteen, III in an e-mail, there are currently no candidates to succeed Ayers. In addition, the upcoming Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks may push advertising of the vacancy into next year.
The search committee will include faculty members, at least one student, at least one person from the College Foundation's board and at least one person who holds or has held a similar position in another school of the University, Casteen said. The committee will also seek out candidates from outside the University.
"Because the position is very prominent among universities of our kind, this search will be national or international in scope. We will look carefully within the faculty as well."
According to Rector Thomas F. Farrell, II and Casteen, Ayers time at the University has been spent revamping the undergraduate experience within the College, most notably in his fundraising efforts for the South Lawn Project, the institution of J-term classes and the recruitment of new faculty members.
"Dean Ayers has been a visionary leader for the College of Arts & Sciences for the last five years," Farrell said. "His leadership, particularly on the South Lawn project, was aimed at enhancing the undergraduate experience. He has been indefatigable in pursuing that goal for the benefit of faculty and, particularly, future students. He has been a fantastic leader at the University, and the University of Richmond's gain is our loss."
The University of Richmond is a private institution of about 3,600 full-time undergraduate and graduate students. The school includes four professional schools, Law Leadership Studies, Education and Business in addition to Arts & Sciences and a School of Continuing Education.
Richmond currently has an endowment valued at just over $1.4 billion, the 35th largest in country, Richmond spokesperson Brian Eckert said.
"I'm really hoping to tap in to the heritage of that place, which has been coed for 100 years and has really been a part of the fabric of the state," Ayers said, adding that he hopes "to sustain a national liberal arts university that's also a part of Virginia."
Ayers's resignation comes the month following the kickoff of the University's $3 billion Capital Campaign, a fundraising effort that in large part benefits the South Lawn Project, an effort mostly aimed to enhance the College of Arts & Sciences.
"I'm going to do my best to sustain that," Ayers said of the Capital Campaign. "I'm going to be working as hard as I can between now and July 1 to accomplish as much as I can. The College is such an attractive place. They'll find somebody great for the deanship."
According to Ayers, he has meetings this upcoming week in both Richmond and New York to discuss continued fundraising efforts with various potential donors.
"We're trying to keep up our momentum," he said.
Ayers will replace current Richmond President William E. Cooper, who has overseen the University of Richmond since 1998.
According to Eckert, next Tuesday, Ayers and his wife will travel to Richmond for a campus-wide introduction.
"I'm not moving too far away," Ayers said. "I'll be back."
Read More
U.Va. sees 11 percent increase in early decision applications for Class of 2029
By Sophie Long | 4 days agoThe early decision application process is a binding agreement designed for students who have chosen the University as their top choice.
Corner businesses carry on through winter break despite few students on Grounds
By Nina Broderick | 5 days agoNot only are students customers of these businesses, but they are also employees.
Winter storm warning in effect for Charlottesville starting Sunday evening
By Cecilia Mould | 6 days agoReports from the National Weather Service predict that Charlottesville will experience snow, sleet and freezing rain beginning Sunday afternoon and lasting through Monday.
