US EditionUVa Board Defies Spanberger in Naming New President
Beardsley was chosen for his leadership at UVA's Darden School and 26 years at McKinsey despite calls to pause the search until board vacancies are filled.
- The Board of Visitors named Scott C. Beardsley, dean of the UVA Darden School of Business, in a unanimous vote as the University of Virginia's 10th president on Dec. 19, 2025.
- Despite calls to pause, the University of Virginia Board of Visitors proceeded to elect Scott Beardsley despite Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger urging a pause until January 17 due to five Board appointees not confirmed.
- Beardsley, a longtime McKinsey executive, brings 26 years at McKinsey & Company, degrees from Tufts University, MIT and University of Pennsylvania, and studies practical ethics at Oxford's Pembroke College.
- Beardsley's term begins Jan. 1, replacing Jim Ryan, former UVA president who resigned in June amid U.S. Department of Justice pressure, while the board thanked interim president Paul Mahoney and the search committee.
- Critics warned rushing the appointment risks undermining shared governance, with Ghazala Hashmi, incoming Lieutenant Governor, saying it raises concerns about process and democratic transition, while Aaron Rouse, Virginia State Senator, signaled oversight.
21 Articles
21 Articles
UVa board defies Spanberger in naming new president
The University of Virginia’s (UVa) board on Friday announced that Darden School of Business dean Scott C. Beardsley will serve as the university’s next president, defying Virginia Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s request to choose a new president after she is sworn in. The board unanimously voted for Beardsley. In a statement, the board said Beardsley “will…
Board of Visitors names UVA's next president despite vocal opposition to 'rushed' and 'politically motivated' search process
The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors unanimously selected Darden School of Business Dean Scott Beardsley to succeed Jim Ryan as UVA’s 10th president during a closed-door meeting on Friday Dec. 19, despite facing numerous votes of no confidence and calls to stop the search until Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger is inaugurated on Jan. 14, 2026. Beardsley, who joined the University as dean of the Darden School in 2015, will assume the role o…
University of Virginia Board of Visitors names 10th president
The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors on Friday chose Scott Beardsley as the institution’s 10th president, despite calls from lawmakers, UVA faculty and community organizations and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger to suspend the months-long search.
InsideNoVA.com
University of Virginia Board of Visitors announces tenth president
The University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors on Friday chose Scott Beardsley as the institution’s 10th president, despite calls from lawmakers, UVA faculty and community organizations and Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger to suspend the months-long search. Spanberger and others had asked…
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