List of presidents of the University of Virginia

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In Thomas Jefferson's original plan the faculty, counseled by a Board of Visitors, governed the University. By the turn of the century, the school had grown larger and more complex, and the Visitors saw the need to appoint a president. When Woodrow Wilson, a University of Virginia law graduate yet to be president, declined the offer, they turned to Edwin Anderson Alderman, well known as an innovative educator in the South and a great orator across the nation. Alderman was inaugurated on Founder's Day, April 13, 1905. Within a year, Alderman had seen to the opening of a school of education at the University.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Prior to 1904, the administrative head of the University of Virginia was the chairman of the faculty. According to the 1900 publication of The University of Virginia: Glimpses of its past and present, "The University of Virginia is an ideal community. It has been described as a small republic, finding in itself all that is necessary in the way of government and the pursuit of happiness. It is democratic as far as its government goes, since the powers of control are distributed as far as possible. There is no president, but there is a chairman of the faculty who stands in somewhat the relation of other college presidents to the responsibilities of control and direction. He is not as nearly absolute as a college president. The faculty is his cabinet, and the faculty committees distribute the administration in a rather general way." [1] : 9 

List of UVA leaders

The following persons have led the University of Virginia from 1825 to 1903 as chairman of the faculty [1] : 78  and since 1904 as president: [2]

No.ImageLeaderTerm startTerm endRef.
Chairman of the Faculty of the University of Virginia (1825–1904)
1a Prof. George Tucker.jpg George Tucker 18251826 [3]
2a Robley Dunglison.jpg Robley Dunglison 18261827 [4]
3 John Tayloe Lomax 18271828 [5]
2b Robley Dunglison.jpg Robley Dunglison 18281830 [4]
4 Robert Maskell Patterson.jpg Robert Maskell Patterson 18301832
1b Prof. George Tucker.jpg George Tucker 18321833 [3]
5Charles Bonnycastle18331835 [6]
6a John A. G. Davis.jpg John A. G. Davis 18351837 [7]
7a Prof. Gessner Harrison (4x5 cropped).jpg Gessner Harrison 18371839 [8]
6b John A. G. Davis.jpg John A. G. Davis [a] 1839November 14, 1840 [b] [7]
7b Prof. Gessner Harrison (4x5 cropped).jpg Gessner Harrison 18401842 [8]
8 HenrySTucker.jpg Henry St. George Tucker Sr.18421844 [9]
9 William Barton Rogers cropped.jpg William B. Rogers [c] 18441845
10Edward H. Courtenay18451846
11James L. Cabell18461847 [10]
7c Prof. Gessner Harrison (4x5 cropped).jpg Gessner Harrison 18471854 [8]
12Socrates Maupin1854September 1870 [11]
13a Charles Scott Venable.gif Charles S. Venable September 1870June 1873 [12] [13]
14James F. HarrisonJune 1873May 1886 [14] [15]
13b Charles Scott Venable.gif Charles S. Venable May 18861888 [12]
15William M. Thornton1888June 18, 1896 [16] [17]
16 Paul Barringer.jpg Paul B. Barringer June 18, 1896June 15, 1903 [18] [17] [19]
17 James Morris Page June 15, 1903September 12, 1904 [19] [20]
Presidents of the University of Virginia (1904-present)
1 Portrait of Edwin Alderman.jpg Edwin Anderson Alderman September 13, 1904April 29, 1931 [b] [21] [22] [20] [23]
acting John Lloyd Newcomb May 23, 1931October 7, 1933 [24]
2October 7, 1933June 26, 1947 [25] [26] [27]
3 Colgate Darden (VA).png Colgate W. Darden Jr. June 27, 1947August 22, 1959 [28] [29] [30] [31]
4 Edgar F. Shannon Jr. August 23, 1959August 31, 1974 [32] [33] [34]
5 Frank L. Hereford Jr. September 1, 1974August 31, 1985 [35] [36]
6 Robert M. O'Neil September 1, 1985July 31, 1990 [37] [38]
7 John T. Casteen III August 1, 1990July 31, 2010 [39] [40] [41]
8 Teresa A. Sullivan 2012.jpg Teresa A. Sullivan August 1, 2010July 31, 2018 [42] [43] [44] [45] [46]
9 James E. Ryan - Manning Institute For Biotechnology Groundbreaking, Charlottesville - 12-08-23 03 (cropped).jpg James E. Ryan August 1, 2018July 11, 2025 [d] [48] [49] [50] [47]
actingJennifer Wagner Davis [e] July 12, 2025August 10, 2025
interim Paul G. Mahoney August 11, 2025present [51]

Table notes:

  1. ↑ Killed by a student.
  2. 1 2 Died in office.
  3. ↑ Rogers later became the founder and first president of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
  4. ↑ Pressured into resigning. [47]
  5. ↑ Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Bibliography

Patton, John H.; Doswell, Sallie J. (1900). The University of Virginia: Glimpses of its past and present. Lynchburg: J.P. Bell Company.

References

  1. 1 2 Patton, John H.; Doswell, Sallie J. (1900). The University of Virginia: Glimpses of its past and present. Lynchburg: J.P. Bell Company.
  2. ↑ "UVA Presidents". University of Virginia.
  3. 1 2 "George Tucker (1775–1861)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  4. 1 2 "Robley Dunglison (1798–1869)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  5. ↑ "John Tayloe Lomax, 1826-1830". University of Virginia.
  6. ↑ "Charles Bonnycastle (1796–1840)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  7. 1 2 "John A. G. Davis (1802–1840)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  8. 1 2 3 "Gessner Harrison (1807–1862)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  9. ↑ "Henry St. George Tucker, 1841-1845". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  10. ↑ "J. L. Cabell (1813–1889)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  11. ↑ "No title". Winchester Times. Vol. 6, no. 3. September 21, 1870. p. 3 – via Virginia Chronicle. Dr. Socrates Maupin has resigned as Chairman of the Faculty of the University of Virginia. His name has been intimately associated with this position for the last sixteen years and a more faithful official has never filled it. He will now devote himself to the Chair of Chemistry and Pharmacy, which he has so successfully filled for a long term of years. Prof. Charles S. Venable has been elected to fill the vacancy.
  12. 1 2 "Charles S. Venable (1827–1900)". Encyclopedia Virginia.
  13. ↑ "No title". Alexandria Gazette . Vol. 74, no. 143. June 30, 1873. p. 2 – via Virginia Chronicle. Prof. Jas. F. Harrison has been elected chairman of the faculty of the University of Virginia, vice Prof. Venable, declined on account of the delicate health of his wife.
  14. ↑ "University of Virginia Pavilion III" (PDF). Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker Architects and The University of Virginia. 2006. p. 47–51.
  15. ↑ "Virginia News". Alexandria Gazette . Vol. 87, no. 112. May 10, 1886. p. 2 – via Virginia Chronicle. Dr. James F. Harrison, who has been chairman of the faculty of the University of Virginia since 1873, has resigned, and Prof. Chas. S. Venable, his immediate predecessor in that office, has been chosen by the board of visitors to fill the vacancy. Prof. William M. Thornton has been chosen as assistant chairman.
  16. ↑ "W. M. THORNTON DIES; VIRGINIA EDUCATOR; Professor Emeritus of Applied Mathematics at University Succumbs at Age of 84" . The New York Times . September 12, 1935. p. 25.
  17. 1 2 "Board of Visitors Appoints Prof. Barringer in Prof. Thornton's Place". The State (Richmond). Vol. 21. June 19, 1896. p. 2 – via Virginia Chronicle. The sessions of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia yesterday were secret, and while there were many rumors afloat they could not be verified until last night. It is now known that Prof. P. B. Barringer succeeds Prof. William M. Thornton as chairman of the faculty. Prof. Thornton tendered his resignation some months ago, and it was accepted at the time, to take effect at the pleasure of the board.
  18. ↑ "DR. P. B. BARRINGER, EDUCATOR, 83, DEAD; Head of Virginia Polytechnic Institute, 1907-13, Noted as Health Expert and Publicist PHYSICIAN FOR 62 YEARS Once Professor at University of Virginia and Chairman of Institution's Faculty" . The New York Times . January 10, 1941. p. 20.
  19. 1 2 "BARRINGER RESIGNS: Dr. James Morris Page Appointed to Fill Vacancy". Richmond Times-Dispatch . Vol. 1903, no. 16268. June 16, 1903. p. 7 – via Virginia Chronicle. The Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia met this morning in regular session, with every member present. Dr. Paul B. Barringer tendered his resignation as chairman of the faculty, to take effect at once, and the board appointed Dr. James Morrjs Page, dean of the Academic Faculty, to fill the vacancy.
  20. 1 2 "NEW PRESIDENT ASSUMES CHARGE". The Virginian-Pilot . Vol. 22, no. 64. September 13, 1904. p. 6 – via Virginia Chronicle. Dr. Edwin A. Alderman, the new president of the University of Virginia, entered on his duties today. When the school opens September 15 there will be simple ceremonies, consisting of a speech by Chairman C. P. Jones of the board of visitors and one by Dr. James Morris Page, the last chairman oil the faculty.
  21. ↑ "Edwin A. Alderman (1905-1931)". University of Virginia.
  22. ↑ "Dr. Alderman Made President". Norfolk Dispatch. Vol. 16, no. 33. June 14, 1904. p. 6 – via Virginia Chronicle. The announcement that President Edwin A. Alderman, of Tulane University, New Orleans, has been elected the first president of the University of Virginia, will be read with interest in Norfolk and Portsmouth, where the alumni of the University are strong.
  23. ↑ "Dr. Alderman Dies Suddenly". Bedford Bulletin. Vol. 37, no. 5. April 30, 1931. p. 1 – via Virginia Chronicle. Dr. Edwin A. Alderman, president of the University of Virginia, was stricken with apoplexy at Connellsville, Pa., while on a train enroute to Urbana, Ill., to deliver an address, and died last night at a Connellsville hospital.
  24. ↑ "DEAN TEMPORARY UNIVERSITY HEAD". The Virginian-Pilot . Vol. 121, no. 54. May 24, 1931. p. 5 – via Virginia Chronicle. Meeting today for the first time since the death of President Edwin A. Alderman, the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia named Dean John Lloyd Newcomb, for several years assistant to Dr. Alderman as acting president and made preparations for selection of a permanent head for the institution.
  25. ↑ "John Lloyd Newcomb (1931-1947)". University of Virginia.
  26. ↑ "Newcomb Is Elected University President". The Northern Virginia Daily . Vol. 51, no. 237. October 7, 1933. p. 1 – via Virginia Chronicle. Dr. John Lloyd Newcomb, dean of the school of engineering of the University of Virginia today was elevated to the presidency of the institution, succeeding the late Dr. Edwin A. Alderman. Dr. Newcomb has served as acting president of the university since Dr. Alderman's death in April, 1931. His election to the post today was by the unanimous vote of the board of visitors.
  27. ↑ "Newcomb Resigns Post". The Daily Review (Clifton Forge). Vol. 42, no. 14306. September 13, 1946. p. 1 – via Virginia Chronicle. Dr John Lloyd Newcomb, president of the University of Virginia since 1833, has resigned. Acceptance of Dr. Newcomb's resignation by the University's Board of Visitors was announced today by Edward R. Stettinius, rector, following the monthly meeting of the board. Stettinius released an exchange of letters with Dr Newcomb in which the University president tendered his resignation, at the pleasure of the board on or after December 18th, 1946, the day of his 65th birthday
  28. ↑ "Colgate W. Darden Jr. (1947-1959)". University of Virginia.
  29. ↑ "University for Virginia". Culpeper Exponent. Vol. 67, no. 3. April 24, 1947. p. 1 – via Virginia Chronicle. In choosing Colgate Darden to succeed Dr. John L. Newcomb as President of the University of Virginia, the Board of Visitors of that institution made a selection which has been given unanimous approval.
  30. ↑ "Darden Now President Of U. Of Va". Peninsula Enterprise. Vol. 66, no. 50. June 27, 1947. p. 9 – via Virginia Chronicle. Colgate Darden, Jr., assumed the presidency of the University of Virginia today...
  31. ↑ "Darden Resigns". The Page News and Courier . Vol. 66, no. 5. June 19, 1958. p. 1B – via Virginia Chronicle. The University of Virginia board of visitors last Saturday accepted "with regret" the resignation of Colgate W. Darden Jr., as president. Darden's resignation, submitted to the spring meeting of the board, is to become effective as soon as a new president is named.
  32. ↑ "Edgar F. Shannon Jr. (1959-1974)". University of Virginia.
  33. ↑ "Dr. Edgar P. Shannon Jr. , Named Pres. U. Of Va". Peninsula Enterprise. Vol. 78, no. 35. March 5, 1959. p. 9 – via Virginia Chronicle. The University of Virginia Saturday named a young literature scholar from its faculty as the University's next president. Dr. Edgar Finley Shannon, Jr., 40, will be the University's fourth president. A former Rhodes scholar, he has been an associate professor of English here for three years. Before that, he was on the faculty of Harvard University. Shannon will succeed Colgate W. Darden, Jr. sometime next Summer.
  34. ↑ "U. Va. Bd. of Visitors Names Committee to Nominate Successor for Shannon". Charlottesville-Albemarle Tribune. Vol. 19. February 22, 1973. p. 1 – via Virginia Chronicle. Joseph H. McConnell, Rector of the University of Virginia, announced Saturday the formation of a seven-man committee of the Board of Visitors to nominate a successor to University President Edgar F. Shannon Jr. Dr. Shannon, fourth president of the University, announced on February 2 that he wished to be relived of administrative duties at the end of August 1974.
  35. ↑ "Frank L. Hereford Jr. (1974-1985)". University of Virginia.
  36. ↑ "New Leadership Will Greet UVa Students" . The Daily Progress . August 12, 1974. p. 9 – via newspapers.com. The University of Virginia will begin its 155th year when students return September 2 under the leadership of its fifth president, Dr. Frank L. Hereford Jr. Dr. Hereford will succeed Dr. Edgar F. Shannon Jr. as the University's chief administrator September 1, when Dr. Shannon steps down after serving in the position for 15 years.
  37. ↑ "Robert M. O'Neil (1985-1990)". University of Virginia.
  38. ↑ "Wisconsin's O'Neil To Head UVa" . The Daily Progress . January 24, 1985. p. 1 – via newspapers.com. Robert Marchant O'Neil, president of the University of Wisconsin system of higher education and a constitutional lawyer, was elected the sixth president of the University of Virginia today by the University's board of visitors. O'Neil, a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, will succeed Frank L. Hereford Jr. on Sept. 1. Hereford, the Robert C. Taylor professor of physics, plans to resume teaching and research at the University after 11 years as president. O'Neil's selection, announced today by Rector Fred G. Pollard. ended a 10-month nationwide search that included 312 candidates.
  39. ↑ "John T. Casteen III (1990-2010)". University of Virginia.
  40. ↑ Digilio, Alice (August 4, 1990). "JUGGLING ACADEMIC VISIONS, REALITY AT U-VA" . The Washington Post .
  41. ↑ Wood, Carol S. (June 12, 2009). "University President John T. Casteen III to Step Down in 2010". UVA Today. University of Virginia.
  42. ↑ "Teresa A. Sullivan (2010-2018)". University of Virginia.
  43. ↑ Pérez-Peña, Richard (2012-06-26). "Ousted Head of University Is Reinstated in Virginia". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  44. ↑ Kapsidelis, Karin. "U.Va. President Sullivan will leave when her contract ends, asks board to begin search for replacement". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved 2019-04-22.
  45. ↑ Wood, Carol S. (January 11, 2010). "Teresa A. Sullivan, Extraordinary Leader and Respected Scholar, to Become Eighth President of U.Va". UVA Today. University of Virginia.
  46. ↑ Kelly, Jane (July 31, 2018). "Sullivan Ends UVA Presidency the Way She Started: Working Full Tilt". UVA Today. University of Virginia.
  47. 1 2 Pauly, Megan; Davis-Reid, Hannah (November 21, 2025). "Questions remain in dispute over Jim Ryan's exit at UVA". WCVE-FM .
  48. ↑ "James E. Ryan (2018-2025)". University of Virginia.
  49. ↑ McCance, McGregor (September 15, 2017). "Board of Visitors Selects James E. Ryan as University of Virginia's Next President". UVA Today. University of Virginia.
  50. ↑ Mather, Mike (July 2, 2025). "News in brief: President Ryan transition timeline". UVA Today. University of Virginia.
  51. ↑ Coy, Brian (August 4, 2025). "UVA appoints Paul G. Mahoney as interim president". UVA Today. University of Virginia.
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