June 30, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: Earlier this year we witnessed “the firing” of VMI Superintendent Gen. Cedric Wins. And now the forced resignation of University of Virginia President Jim Ryan. All seemingly politically motivated. It is critical that we stand up to protect our institutions of higher learning.
When I enrolled in UVA in 1967, my fellow students looked a lot like me. White and male. I received a great education and had a wonderful career, but it was only until I purchased and restored a house in Washington, D.C., did I learn what was missing — Black neighbors and friends.
We had a wonderful president at UVA, Edgar Shannon, originally from Lexington. From all I have heard about President Ryan, he did great things for the university. Those in the university’s system noted Ryan’s resignation with profound sadness, noting his considerable accomplishments.
The UVA board of visitors, a board overwhelming controlled by Virginia Governor Youngkin’s appointees, voted to abolish all DEI programs at the university. The governor declared after the board’s vote that DEI is done at the University of Virginia. It was also reported that the U.S. Department of Justice suggested that Ryan resign.
Peter G. McDonough, general counsel at the American Council of Education, noted that there is nothing that exists in this country that enables the federal government to strong-arm a university board to replace its leadership. He wrote “The Trump Administration is trying to control learning environments to achieve political objectives.”
DON HASFURTHER Lexington
