President Teresa Sullivan announced Peter M. Grant II as chair of the Third Century Campaign Wednesday. The campaign aims to accumulate capital and resources to continue to expand upon the University’s success as it enters its third century of scholarship.
“As we approach our 200th anniversary, the University of Virginia must continue its commitment to Mr. Jefferson’s vision of an educated citizenry,” Vice President for Advancement Mark Luellen said in an email statement to The Cavalier Daily. “The Third Century Campaign will allow our University to continue to lead in this [competitive] environment and, in doing so, we will be able recruit and retain the most talented students and faculty from Virginia, the nation and across the globe.”
The campaign is still in its preliminary stages and thus has not set an official goal or agenda at this time. However, the administration expects to launch the Third Century Campaign in 2019 in conjunction with the University’s bicentennial celebration.
Although a formal group to manage the campaign has not yet been selected, Grant said he believes numerous other alumni and dedicated members of the University community will be eager and excited to join the campaign when it commences its quiet phase in two months.
“I know that one of my top priorities will be to involve as many of our alumni, parents and friends in the campaign — and thus in the University’s future — as possible,” Grant said in an email statement to The Cavalier Daily. “This campaign will be a marathon, not a sprint, and we will need support from thousands, over many years, to achieve its goals.”
As chair, Grant will be responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with potential donors to the campaign. In addition, he will need to oversee all efforts organized by the campaign and ensure it raises sufficient capital.
“We were looking for someone that was a recognized and ethical leader, a strong partner and confidante, a charismatic champion for the University’s mission, a motivating and donor-centric mentor to deans, volunteers and staff, a national and international ambassador, and an inspirational donor and philanthropist,” Luellen said. “We found all of these qualities in Peter Grant.”
Grant has strong ties to the University, graduating in 1978 with a bachelor of arts degree in government and receiving his MBA from the Darden School of Business in 1986. In addition, all four of his children have attended the University.
Grant also has a vast history of service to the University. Previously, he was the chair of the Alumni Association Board of Managers and a member of the Batten Institute Advisory Council. Currently, he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Darden Foundation, the board of the Jefferson Scholars Foundation and the Bicentennial Commission.
“I can’t imagine not giving back to the place that has given me so much,” Grant said. “Those of us who know this University, who have benefited from its exceptional faculty and its sense of place and its culture of honor and integrity and service, understand its importance to the Commonwealth, the nation and the world and want to do all we can to support and sustain it.”
In addition to donating his time, Grant and his family have financially supported a myriad of University programs as well. The Grants have made contributions to the the Rotunda restoration project, the Health System, the University Athletics Department and many other University projects and departments.
“Your relationship with our University does not end with Final Exercises,” Grant said. “As a matter of fact, it can continue to grow and develop and deepen. As alums, I hope every student will choose to stay involved, to give of their time and talents and energy and give back as they can.”
Correction: This article has been updated to correct a typo in one of Mark Luellen's quotes. In his original statement he referred to a "completive environment." This article has been updated to replace "completive" with "competitive."
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