SJ191: Commending John Thomas Casteen III.
WHEREAS, John Thomas Casteen III, president of the University of Virginia since 1990, is recognized in 2010 for his outstanding service to the Commonwealth and his fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, a native of Portsmouth, John Thomas Casteen III graduated from Cradock High School and matriculated as an English major at the University of Virginia (UVA), earning a bachelor?s degree in 1965, a master?s degree in 1966, and a doctoral degree in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen began his career in education first as a teacher and then as an administrator at the University of California, Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Dr. Casteen returned to his alma mater, the University of Virginia, to become dean of undergraduate admissions and a member of the English faculty; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as dean, Dr. Casteen worked successfully with secondary schools throughout the Commonwealth to improve the quality of courses for students preparing for college; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen achieved a national reputation for raising the academic standards expected of successful applicants, and with the support and encouragement of his predecessor, President Frank Hereford, helped make the University of Virginia more inviting and accessible to minority applicants; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, Dr. Casteen was appointed Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth by Governor Robb, and he was able to continue the efforts that he had initiated as dean of admissions at UVA with Virginia public school districts; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen was named as president of the University of Connecticut in1985, and during his five years there he gained national recognition for his leadership; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Dr. Casteen was selected as the seventh president of the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, President Casteen has led the University of Virginia to new levels of excellence to a point where UVA is ranked every year as either the best or the second best public institution of higher education in the country; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen created AccessUVa, a program that provides financial aid so that any student who meets the University of Virginia?s standards for admission and is qualified for financial aid may attend without incurring significant debt; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen has worked successfully to create a welcoming environment at UVA for women and minorities on the faculty and in the ranks of the administration; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen has been a strong voice in support of alcohol and substance abuse education not onlyat UVA but also in institutions of higher education throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, in concert with the General Assembly and with colleagues across Virginia, Dr. Casteen has been a leader in the restructuring of higher education, defining a new partnership between the Commonwealth and the universities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen?s achievements have benefited not onlyUVA but also the Commonwealth as a whole and truly have made the University of Virginia what Thomas Jefferson envisioned?the capstone of public education in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated educator and an excellent administrator, Dr. Casteen has been a leader in higher education in Virginia and in the nation; and
WHEREAS, after a highly successful and productive tenure, Dr. Casteen will retire as president of the University of Virginia in July 2010; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John Thomas Casteen III for his exemplary leadership as president of the University of Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Thomas Casteen III as an expression of the General Assembly?s gratitude for his many valuable contributions to quality education in the Commonwealth and best wishes in all his future endeavors.
Patrons-- Houck, Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins and Whipple
WHEREAS, John Thomas Casteen III, President of the University of Virginia since 1990, is recognized in 2010 for his outstanding service to the Commonwealth and his fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, a native of Portsmouth, John Thomas Casteen III graduated from Cradock High School and matriculated as an English major at the University of Virginia (UVA), earning a bachelor?s degree in 1965, a master?s degree in 1966, and a doctoral degree in 1970; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen began his career in education first as a teacher and then as an administrator at the University of California, Berkeley; and
WHEREAS, in 1975, Dr. Casteen returned to his alma mater, the University of Virginia, to become dean of undergraduate admissions and a member of the English faculty; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure as dean, Dr. Casteen worked successfully with secondary schools throughout the Commonwealth to improve the quality of courses for students preparing for college; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen achieved a national reputation for raising the academic standards expected of successful applicants, and with the support and encouragement of his predecessor, President Frank Hereford, helped make the University of Virginia more inviting and accessible to minority applicants; and
WHEREAS, in 1982, Dr. Casteen was appointed Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth by Governor Robb, and he was able to continue the efforts with Virginia Public School districts that he had initiated as dean of admissions at UVA; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen was named as president of the University of Connecticut in1985, and during his five years there he gained national recognition for his leadership; and
WHEREAS, in 1990, Dr. Casteen was selected as the seventh president of the University of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, President Casteen has led the University of Virginia to new levels of excellence to a point where UVA is ranked every year as either the best or the second best public institution of higher education in the country; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen created AccessUVa, a program that provides financial aid so that any student who meets the University of Virginia's standards for admission and is qualified for financial aid may attend without incurring significant debt; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen has worked successfully to create a welcoming environment at UVA for women and minorities on the faculty and in the ranks of the administration; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen has been a strong voice in support of alcohol and substance abuse education, not onlyat UVA but in institutions of higher education throughout the country; and
WHEREAS, in concert with the General Assembly and with colleagues across Virginia, Dr. Casteen has been a leader in the restructuring of higher education, defining a new partnership between the Commonwealth and the universities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen's achievements have benefited not onlyUVA but the Commonwealth as a whole and truly have made the University of Virginia what Thomas Jefferson envisioned?the capstone of public education in Virginia; and
WHEREAS, a dedicated educator and an excellent administrator, Dr. Casteen has been a leader in higher education in Virginia and in the nation; and
WHEREAS, after a highly successful and productive tenure, Dr. Casteen will retire as president of the University of Virginia in July 2010; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John Thomas Casteen III for his exemplary leadership as president of the University of Virginia; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Thomas Casteen III as an expression of the General Assembly?s gratitude for his many valuable contributions to quality education in the Commonwealth and best wishes in all his future endeavors.