University of Virginia

thumb|Virginia, Hail, All Hail!Virginia, Hail, All Hail!~ John Albert Morrow The University of Virginia (UVA), also referred to as Virginia, is a public research university in Charlottesville, Virginia. It was founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson. Highly selective with its admissions, UVA is known as a "Public Ivy," one of a number of publicly-funded universities academically ranked beside or above the Ivy League universities. See also: University of Virginia School of Law University of Virginia School of Medicine University of Virginia's College at Wise thumb|This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it. ~ Thomas Jefferson thumb|Ten thousand voices sing thy acclaim;Ten thousand hearts beat high at thy name; ~ John Albert Morrow thumb|All unafraid and girded with good,Mother of men a queen thou hast stood;Children of thine a true brotherhood,~ John Albert Morrow thumb|Long let thy praises live and resound;Long let thy virtues in us abound; ~ John Albert Morrow thumb|Let morning radiance set thee in sight;Let noonday brilliance crown thee with light;Let ev’ning sun sink kissing goodnight, ~ John Albert Morrow thumb|The history of the University of Virginia expands until it embraces the history of the South; and the history of the South contracts until it merges in the history of the University of Virginia. ~ Philip Alexander Bruce thumb|Last month [June 2025], President Trump’s Justice Department forced Jim Ryan to resign by threatening to cut off crucial funding to the university, claiming that Ryan hadn’t done enough to dismantle DEI programs. When the Trump administration attacked Harvard, the members of the Harvard Corporation fought back. At the University of Virginia, unlike Harvard, the Board of Visitors is state-appointed, and the current members, all chosen by Republican governors, caved in to the demands. So did the attorney general of the state, who might have defended us. ~ Mark Edmundson thumb|Milton was in political trouble when he wrote his great poem in England in the 1660s. He had defended the republican revolution and the execution of Charles I. Now that the monarchy was restored, his life was in danger. Blind and vulnerable, he was living in “darkness and with dangers compassed round.” Yet he persisted in exercising the freedom of the poet. In the days to come, professors at UVA and beyond may need to summon some of that spirit. ~ Mark Edmundson thumb|[Thomas Jefferson] was so confident that he had succeeded that he named the founding of the University of Virginia as one of the three acts for which he wished to be remembered. Insofar as it continues to live up to these goals, Jefferson's confidence will not be misplaced. ~ J. Jefferson Looney __NOTOC__ B The history of the University of Virginia expands until it embraces the history of the South; and the history of the South contracts until it merges in the history of the University of Virginia. Philip Alexander Bruce, UVA Class of 1876, History of the University of Virginia: The Lengthening Shadow of One Man, Volume V (1922), New York: Macmillan Company, Centennial Edition, hardcover, p. 425 The great power for good which the University of Virginia has exercised, during these first one hundred years, is too subtle, too far spread, and too voluminous, to be gauged to the farthest limits. Philip Alexander Bruce, UVA Class of 1876, History of the University of Virginia: The Lengthening Shadow of One Man, Volume V (1922), New York: Macmillan Company, Centennial Edition, hardcover, p. 425 C I’d also like to thank the Board of Visitors. Board of Visitors, of course that name goes all the way back to your founder, Thomas Jefferson, who was just trying to put the local Indians at ease. “Just visiting. Should be going home any century now.”And that’s just one of the many unique, dignified terms that sets UVA apart from other universities. Instead of freshmen, you have first years. Instead of a quad, you call it a Lawn. Instead of saying we are members of a proud educational tradition dating back to our nation’s founders, you say “Wahoowa!” Which begs the eternal question, “Wahoowhy?” Stephen Colbert, addressing the UVA undergraduate Class of 2013 during the class Valedictory Exercises on 18 May 2013 And I just want to say the students at UVA are incredible. The men are all gentlemen and the women are all the most beautiful and intelligent in the world. And I’m not saying that because I dated a UVA girl. I’m saying that because I married her. Stephen Colbert, addressing the UVA undergraduate Class of 2013 during the class Valedictory Exercises on 18 May 2013 But of course, the greatest figure associated with UVA is your founder, Thomas Jefferson. TJ. Prez Tommy Jef. The freckly anti-Federalist. Louisiana purchy. Old bible-slicer. Or as most Americans know him, the inventor of the six-inch wooden cipher wheel. In founding this great institution Jefferson wrote, we wish to establish in the upper country of Virginia a university on a plan so broad and liberal and modern as to be a temptation of the youth of other states to come a drink the cup of knowledge and fraternize with us. And according to Playboy, you have lived up to that vision. Stephen Colbert, addressing the UVA undergraduate Class of 2013 during the class Valedictory Exercises on 18 May 2013 So have the courage to follow the example of your founder, Thomas Jefferson, the greatest mind of that most daring generation, to create something new for yourselves and lay its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form as to you shall seem most likely to affect your safety and happiness. And know that though he wrote these words 237 years ago, that this generation, no less than his generation, has their own opportunity to recognize and seize that moment when in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the bands that have connected them with another and assume among the powers of the earth your separate and equal station and for the support of this, mutually pledge to each other your lives, your fortune, and your sacred honor. If anyone can do this, it is the graduates of the university Jefferson founded. You are his intellectual heirs. In fact, some of you may be his actual heirs. We’re still testing the DNA. So thank you for this honor and congratulations to the Class of 2013. Wahoowha! Stephen Colbert, addressing the UVA undergraduate Class of 2013 during the class Valedictory Exercises on 18 May 2013 E Have there been any threats to classroom freedom at the University of Virginia? Not really. A couple of years ago, the administration wanted to know how our teaching and writing contributed to diversity, equity and inclusion. I protested this as soon as I saw it: The freedom to ignore DEI or teach in ways that came into conflict with it seemed precious to me.I sounded my mild protest to the president, Jim Ryan, the provost Ian Baucom (now president of Middlebury College), the chair of my department and anyone else I could find in power. The whole thing was a bit tricky, because I believe in many of the tenets of DEI. I just didn’t want the university to try to persuade professors to bend their teachings toward what I see as a political position. All the officials were willing to talk, debate, reconsider. When I and others spoke up, the people in charge wanted to hear.Now the tables have turned. Last month, President Trump’s Justice Department forced Jim Ryan to resign by threatening to cut off crucial funding to the university, claiming that Ryan hadn’t done enough to dismantle DEI programs. When the Trump administration attacked Harvard, the members of the Harvard Corporation fought back. At the University of Virginia, unlike Harvard, the Board of Visitors is state-appointed, and the current members, all chosen by Republican governors, caved in to the demands. So did the attorney general of the state, who might have defended us. Mark Edmundson, "Paradise Lost at the University of Virginia", Wall Street Journal, 10 July 2025 Who is the hero of “Paradise Lost”? There are many candidates. The Son of God, who redeems mankind? Eve, who eats the apple to expand her consciousness? Romantic poets like Blake and Shelley notoriously argued that the real hero of the poem is Satan, who rebels against God’s all-powerful rule.But the character I admire most today is a minor angel named Abdiel, of whom Milton is particularly fond. When Abdiel—the name means Servant of God—hears about Satan’s plan to shake the throne of heaven, he steps out from the rebellious hordes and gives the arch-fiend a piece of his pious mind: “Shalt thou give Law to God, shalt thou dispute/With him the points of liberty, who made/Thee what thou art?” Later, Abdiel faces Satan on the field of battle, cracks him across the helmet, and knocks him back.I think that Abdiel reminds Milton of himself at his independent best. Milton was in political trouble when he wrote his great poem in England in the 1660s. He had defended the republican revolution and the execution of Charles I. Now that the monarchy was restored, his life was in danger. Blind and vulnerable, he was living in “darkness and with dangers compassed round.” Yet he persisted in exercising the freedom of the poet. In the days to come, professors at UVA and beyond may need to summon some of that spirit. Mark Edmundson, "Paradise Lost at the University of Virginia", Wall Street Journal, 10 July 2025 J This institution will be based on the illimitable freedom of the human mind. For here we are not afraid to follow truth wherever it may lead, nor to tolerate any error so long as reason is left free to combat it. Thomas Jefferson in a letter to William Roscoe, dated 27 December 1820, as quoted by Dumas Malone, Jefferson and His Time: The Sage of Monticello (1981), p. 417-418 K The University of Virginia has moved up in the annual rankings of colleges and universities published by U.S. News and World Report. UVA rose to the No. 3 spot among public universities in the 2023 Best Colleges ranking, after three consecutive years at No. 4. In the rankings, released today, UVA is tied with the University of Michigan. The University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of California, Berkeley are tied for the top position among public universities. Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are the top two institutions overall. Jane Kelly, UVA Advances to No. 3 Best Public in 2023 U.S. News & World Report Rankings, UVA Today, 12 September 2022 UVA remains the 25th-best university overall for the second year in a row, after climbing two spots in the 2021 rankings. It is the highest-ranked university among all Virginia institutions, public or private. In the overall category of graduation and retention, combining those related metrics, UVA is the top public university in the country and ranked No. 11 among all public and private universities. U.S. News considers six factors in its ranking, including “outcomes” like graduation and retention rates. UVA continues to have an excellent first-year student retention rate of 97%; the graduation rate is 94%. Again this year, UVA graduated 90% of its Pell Grant recipients, whose family incomes are typically less than $50,000 a year.In other U.S. News rankings, UVA is among the best schools for veterans, staying at No. 9 again this year. U.S. News also ranked UVA’s undergraduate business program eighth in the country. It found UVA has the No. 10 public undergraduate nursing program, in a multi-university tie. Jane Kelly, UVA Advances to No. 3 Best Public in 2023 U.S. News & World Report Rankings, UVA Today, 12 September 2022 U.S. News ranks UVA as the 32nd-best value national university, joining other ranking services highlighting UVA’s value. Last April, The Princeton Review ranked UVA as the best public or private university in the country for financial aid, and the No. 3 best value public school. In May, Money Magazine ranked UVA the No. 3 best value college in the United States. UVA remains one of the only public universities to meet 100% of every undergraduate student’s financial need and offers admission to students with no consideration of a family’s income.During President Jim Ryan’s tenure, the University has significantly expanded its financial aid program so that more lower- and middle-income students can afford to enroll. Under the “SuccessUVA” initiative, for example, Virginia families earning less than $80,000 per year can send their children to UVA tuition-free, and UVA will also cover tuition, room and board for students from Virginia families earning less than $30,000 per year. Jane Kelly, UVA Advances to No. 3 Best Public in 2023 U.S. News & World Report Rankings, UVA Today, 12 September 2022 Just last September, Ryan announced the University would invest $50 million in additional matching funds to the Bicentennial Scholarship Fund to further increase access and affordability for undergraduate students with financial need and for merit-based scholarships. Since its establishment, the program has paired donor contributions with institutional matching funds to establish more than 500 endowed scholarship funds for undergraduate and graduate students.These commitments to excellence and affordability have strengthened UVA’s ability to recruit and support extraordinary students from all walks of life. Among the first-year students who enrolled last month, 16% will be the first in their families to graduate from college, and 36% qualified for need-based aid, including more than 900 from middle-income households. U.S. News relies on self-reported data from schools from fall 2021 or prior year reporting on which to base its rankings. Jane Kelly, UVA Advances to No. 3 Best Public in 2023 U.S. News & World Report Rankings, UVA Today, 12 September 2022 L In October 2017 the University of Virginia (UVA) began a fifteen-month celebration of its bicentennial, running through January 2019. The decision to celebrate two founding dates may seem unusual. The United States has gotten by quite comfortably celebrating a single birthday of July 4, annoying as this would have been to John Adams who famously wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail, imagining the future celebrations, including fireworks, that would surely take place each year on July 2, the day that the Continental Congress voted for independence. No one at the time would have expected that July 4 would win out, since the Declaration of Independence was not to achieve iconic status for decades. J. Jefferson Looney, "From Academy to College to University: The Prehistory of the University of Virginia", published in The Founding of Thomas Jefferson's University (2019) by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf, & Andrew J. O'Shaughnessy (editors), Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, first edition hardcover, p. 11 UVA's early years are at least as complex as Penn's. The year 1819 is on the seal, and the official celebration has now added 1817 as a second date of origin. The waters can be muddied even further by examining UVA's prehistory and focusing on a number of important dates and happenings. This reveals that many more events can arguably be regarded as the moment that UVA history begins, and in so doing one can learn a lot about the earliest years of the institution and Thomas Jefferson's role in its creation. J. Jefferson Looney, "From Academy to College to University: The Prehistory of the University of Virginia", published in The Founding of Thomas Jefferson's University (2019) by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf, & Andrew J. O'Shaughnessy (editors), Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, first edition hardcover, p. 12 After much tense legislative back and forth, on January 25, 1819, the Virginia General Assembly passed a law (also drafted by Jefferson) that granted a charter turning Central College at Charlottesville into the University of Virginia and providing it with an annual allocation of $15,000 in state funds. This is the date generally given for the University's founding, and it was the terminal date of its bicentennial celebration. However, Jefferson immediately recognized that the proposed $15,000 annuity would not be sufficient, and within days of passage of this act he was already lobbying for more. On more than one occasion he and his devoted legislative allies, of whom Joseph Carrington Cabell was the most important, did not scruple to argue for the diversion to UVA of money allotted to primary education for the poor.Their problems were greatly enhanced by the fact that this year is known to historians less for the chartering of UVA than for the Panic of 1819, the first great economic depression following American independence, which made bankruptcies commonplace (including one that led to Jefferson's own financial downfall) and private subscriptions hard to collect. The state of Virginia encountered funding troubles of its own, including the discovery that the treasurer of Virginia had made large, uncollectible loans of state funds to his friends. Instead of an increased subsidy, UVA had to settle for loans and plead for extended repayment schedules. Additional funding crises, legislative hurdles, logistical difficulties, labor struggles, and disappointments in faculty recruitment needed to be overcome before March 7, 1825, when the University of Virginia quietly and somewhat unceremoniously opened its doors to students, a full six years after it obtained its charter, but with a largely European faculty with reasonably impressive-sounding credentials and a set of buildings (designed by Jefferson) of such architectural beauty that they were worth waiting for and still celebrated today. J. Jefferson Looney, "From Academy to College to University: The Prehistory of the University of Virginia", published in The Founding of Thomas Jefferson's University (2019) by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf, & Andrew J. O'Shaughnessy (editors), Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, first edition hardcover, p. 17-18 But in closing, an even more intriguing possibility is worthy of consideration. On December 15, 1778, Jefferson's Bill for the More General Diffusion of Knowledge was presented to the Virginia House of Delegates. In this proposal, justly celebrated now but not approved at the time, Thomas Jefferson was already calling for universal public schooling and for access to college education for an aristocracy of talents rather than one of wealth. Fully forty years before the University obtained its charter, he argued that it was "expedient for promoting the publick happiness that those persons, whom nature hath endowed with genius and virtue, should be rendered by liberal education worthy to receive, and able to guard the sacred deposit of the rights and liberties of their fellow citizens, and that they should be called to that charge without regard to wealth, birth or other accidental condition or circumstance" and that those "whom nature hath fitly formed and disposed to become useful instruments for the public... should be sought for and educated at the common expence of all, [rather] than that the happiness of all should be confided to the weak or wicked." Even though a university in Charlottesville was not yet even a gleam in his eye, in many ways this language sets the tone for all of Jefferson's efforts to come. He was so confident that he had succeeded that he named the founding of the University of Virginia as one of the three acts for which he wished to be remembered. Insofar as it continues to live up to these goals, Jefferson's confidence will not be misplaced. J. Jefferson Looney, "From Academy to College to University: The Prehistory of the University of Virginia", published in The Founding of Thomas Jefferson's University (2019) by John A. Ragosta, Peter S. Onuf, & Andrew J. O'Shaughnessy (editors), Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, first edition hardcover, p. 18-19 M University of Virginia board members blasted state lawmakers as “extremist” and faculty members as “out of control” in a batch of text messages published by The Washington Post. Richmond-based author Jeff Thomas sued the university to force the release of communications between board members and university officials from June 2023 through last month; he then released the 947 pages of messages to the newspaper. In recent months, the Board of Visitors—stocked with GOP donors and other political figures—has defied state lawmakers, including Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger, over calls to pause a presidential search. That search concluded with an internal hire last month, though multiple critics have flagged process concerns and state lawmakers have also voiced displeasure. Josh Moody, "UVA Board Members Blast Lawmakers, Faculty in Texts", Inside Higher Ed, 9 January 2026 The text messages show that board members reacted sharply last year when a Democrat-controlled board rejected multiple university board picks from Republican governor Glenn Youngkin. The governor lost a subsequent legal fight to seat the picks, and several boards remain hobbled. In August text messages to Jim Donovan, one of the rejected picks, UVA board rector Rachel Sheridan called the General Assembly’s refusal to approve Youngkin’s nominees “Very disappointing. Completely unprecedented and destructive.” Sheridan added, “I hope this backfires politically and reveals them to be the extremists they are.”Sheridan did not apologize or backtrack after the texts were released. In a statement to the Post and Inside Higher Ed, she wrote, “I respect the General Assembly’s authority on these matters but share the frustration of those four individuals that were summarily rejected without the benefit of consideration of their merit and the value these individuals have given and could have continued to give to the university community.” Her remarks highlight tensions between the board and the General Assembly, which have spiked since President Jim Ryan resigned under pressure in June and the university signed an agreement with the Department of Justice in October to close multiple investigations into alleged civil rights violations. In other text messages, Vice Rector Porter Wilkinson expressed frustration with the UVA Faculty Senate, which has demanded answers about whether Ryan was pushed out by the board and the DOJ agreement. Josh Moody, "UVA Board Members Blast Lawmakers, Faculty in Texts", Inside Higher Ed, 9 January 2026 When Board of Visitors secretary Scott Ballenger texted Wilkinson in October to say the Faculty Senate was debating a resolution to demand a meeting with Sheridan and then–interim president Paul Mahoney, Wilkinson responded, “That is insane.” When he told her the Faculty Senate was weighing a resolution of no-confidence in Mahoney, Wilkinson wrote, “So embarrassing. For them.” She added in response to another text from Ballenger, “This is out of control.”The published text messages also expose the board’s dramatic behavior behind the scenes. In a text to Sheridan, former rector Robert Hardie, a Democratic appointee who has since rotated off the board, made vague references to an “unhinged” board member threatening the university administration.Hardie called board members Stephen P. Long and “BE” (presumably Bert Ellis) “assholes.” (Ellis was removed by Youngkin in late March for his combative style on the board.) Hardie referred to board members “BE,” Long, Douglas Wetmore and Paul Harris as “four horses asses” [sic]. Hardie also complained about a member that he did not name trying to stir controversy and a “food fight.”The release of the texts—spurred by legal action—comes as UVA has been slow to release information in response to public records requests, prompting criticism from a local lawmaker and others. Citing “a significant backlog,” UVA has not yet fulfilled a public records request regarding communications with federal officials sent by Inside Higher Ed in October. Josh Moody, "UVA Board Members Blast Lawmakers, Faculty in Texts", Inside Higher Ed, 9 January 2026 Ten thousand voices sing thy acclaim;Ten thousand hearts beat high at thy name;All unafraid and girded with good,Mother of men a queen thou hast stood;Children of thine a true brotherhood,Virginia, Hail, All Hail!Virginia, Hail, All Hail! John Albert Morrow, UVA Class of 1921, "Virginia, Hail, All Hail", alma mater of the University of Virginia, melody and lyrics written in 1921 and utilized ever since by UVA's Glee Club. Long let thy praises live and resound;Long let thy virtues in us abound;Let morning radiance set thee in sight;Let noonday brilliance crown thee with light;Let ev’ning sun sink kissing goodnight,Virginia, Hail, All Hail!Virginia, Hail, All Hail! John Albert Morrow, UVA Class of 1921, "Virginia, Hail, All Hail", alma mater of the University of Virginia, melody and lyrics written in 1921 and utilized ever since by UVA's Glee Club. T Sen. Tim Kaine held a conversation with a group of graduate University students and faculty members Friday at the Central Library of the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library system. In an informal Q&A session, audience members asked about threats to federal research, the future of diversity, equity and inclusion at the University, potential shifts in the Democratic Party and more.According to Alexia Childress, event co-organizer and School of Medicine student, event co-organizer and Medicine student, the event was organized by several medical students in the wake of former University President Jim Ryan’s resignation. Many of those in attendance on Friday were from the School of Medicine, but there were faculty and staff from various other University departments and schools as well. Grace Traxler, "Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more", Cavalier Daily, 15 July 2025 Noting that the Republicans currently hold the majority in the U.S. Senate, one audience member asked if there is anything Kaine can do on a federal level in response to the Department of Justice’s pressure on the University. Kaine said that it is “tough” to take direct, tangible action currently, but that he is working with Sen. Mark Warner to figure out ways, and that he is interested in communicating with members of the Republican Party. Grace Traxler, "Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more", Cavalier Daily, 15 July 2025 Kaine also spoke to more localized strategies that could be used by University constituents facing pushback against DEI and research cuts. For example, one faculty member said that a course he teaches in the School of Medicine was recently under review for DEI compliance and several slides focused on health disparities were pulled. He asked Kaine for advice on what health professionals should do in these circumstances. Kaine said that — though it is not what he personally believes in — sometimes the terminology has to be changed. “I hate to give you this advice,” Kaine said. “But, if you have to change the terminology, because these guys have five buzz words they don't like, as long as you can serve the same people, change the terminology.” Grace Traxler, "Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more", Cavalier Daily, 15 July 2025 Childress and Vignesh Senthil — another event co-organizer and Medicine student — said they were both grateful Senator Kaine and his staff were able to participate in this conversation on such short notice. Senthil was additionally grateful for Kaine’s honesty about what he can and cannot accomplish as of now. “There are people out there that will sometimes over promise things. We appreciate being honest about what abilities [Kaine] has and the party has in Congress to try to help out in some of these issues,” Senthil said.Looking forward, Senthil hopes the University’s interim, and future permanent president, will bring a return to normalcy for him and his classmates.“What we really want to do is be able to go back to being students. I don’t think it's in [mine or Childress’s] career plans to be actively reaching out to senators and Congress people to alert them about what's going on in higher education,” Senthil said. “We are here to train to be physicians, to train to take care of patients to the best of our abilities, to be great scientists and researchers… We want a president that will defend our rights to do so.” Grace Traxler, "Sen. Tim Kaine speaks to U.Va. students, discusses Ryan resignation and more", Cavalier Daily, 15 July 2025 External links