Not long after President John T. Casteen, III will exit the University scene, the community will say farewell to his right-hand man, Leonard Sandridge, who plans to retire in December.
Sandridge, who is now the executive vice president and chief operating officer, first came to the University in February 1967 as an internal auditor. He had originally planned to retire last summer but extended his term through the end of Casteen's tenure. Staying on for the fall semester also will allow him to work with President-elect Teresa A. Sullivan through the early months of her transition, and even after December, if she so desires, he said.
Sandridge has spent much of his more than 40 years on Grounds behind the scenes, working with various University administrators to execute their visions.
Last Thursday, the Virginia General Assembly read a resolution that thanked Sandridge for his contributions to the University and to the state. The resolution commended Sandridge's "integrity, competence, hard work and willingness to take on any task."
His colleagues have expressed similar sentiments, as well.
"There's no question that Mr. Sandridge has been one of the most important administrative leaders of this generation," said Bob Sweeney, senior vice president for development and public affairs. "Along with President Casteen, that was the most important and powerful partnership in higher education over the past 20 years."
Sweeney added that the University's increased reputation, endowment and physical proportions are improvements that derived from their combined leadership.
"He has been central to every decision we have made in my time here," Casteen agreed. "He has focused on our people, the quality of our systems, on streamlining processes, on honesty in every conversation and transaction and on listening to customers at every opportunity."
It is these people and conversations that Sandridge said he will miss the most about working at the University.
"There are so many dedicated individuals who work hard every day to take care of the Grounds, provide the services that are necessary to operate a major University, teach students, do research and care for patients," he said. "These are the people that I will miss."
By the time he retires, Sandridge will have worked for five of the University's eight presidents and numerous members of the Board of Visitors.
"I've seen lots of changes in my time here," he said. "I hope I have helped in some small way, but I can't take credit for all of the work alone."
Despite Sandridge's fond memories of his time at the University - noting that it has been a "great experience" - he added that he feels it is the right time for his term to come to a close.
"It is time for others to take over and for me to fade away," he said. "There are many talented persons with whom I work that are prepared to improve on the job I have done."
In his retirement, Sandridge said he looks forward to spending more time with his wife and their four grandchildren.
Sandridge will leave behind lasting improvements in every corner of the University, Casteen said.
"Thousands of employees and graduates will remember him as a gentleman who got things right," he said.
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