Callsen Statement Following Beardsley Selection as UVA President

Dec

2025

PRESS RELEASE

Callsen Statement Following Beardsley Selection as UVA President

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – Following today’s special meeting of the University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors and the announcement of Darden School Dean Scott Beardsley’s appointment as UVA’s 10th President, Delegate Katrina E. Callsen (54th District) released the following statement:

“The Board of Visitors has deliberately and continuously ignored calls from every corner of the Commonwealth and every constituent element of UVA – faculty, staff, students, and alumni – to suspend its presidential search process until the Board’s membership is once again at full strength. No matter how well-qualified the final candidates were, including Dean Beardsley, today’s action by the Board must be called what it is: a failure of leadership and a breach of their duty to do what is best for UVA and for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“As an alumna of the UVA School of Law, a former educator and school board member, a resident of Albemarle County, and a member of the General Assembly, I am disappointed and angered at many levels, and I will continue to propose and pursue a better governance structure for all of Virginia’s institutions of higher education.”

Media Contact:

Angel Pilkey-Chevez

434.443.5400 (Charlottesville district office)
angel@katrinacallsen.com