Gov. Timothy M. Kaine announced today the reappointments of three members of the University's Board of Visitors along with a new appointment to replace departing Board member Mark J. Kington.
Daniel R. Abramson was newly appointed to the Board. Abramson is principal of Abramson Properties in Alexandria, Va. Abramson is also is the chairman of the Alexandria Housing Development Corporation, a non-profit housing development company, and a Trustee of the Inova Alexandria Hospital Foundation.
"I am humbled on one hand, but terribly excited to be able to work for this institution that I've become so committed to and love," Abramson said.
Kaine cited Abramson's experience in education as a principle reason for his appointment to the Board.
"He has served on the State Council of Higher Education, so he is familiar with a lot of educational issues," Kaine said.
Abramson graduated from the University in 1970 with a degree in psychology. He was a member of the varsity men's soccer team and currently serves on the fundraising board for the team.
Kaine reappointed Dr. Edwin Darracott Vaughn Jr., a urologist from New York City; Warren M. Thompson, president and chairman of Thompson Hospitality Corporation Inc.; and Don R. Pippin, chairman of the University of Virginia College at Wise Board.
University spokesperson Carol Wood said the University hopes that Abramson's appointment, along with the returning Board members, provides the Board with the stability it needs to continue its strong commitment to the University.
"The University is pleased with the reappointments because it gives the Board a sense of continuity, and the ability to continue its work on a number of key issues or initiatives," Wood said. "The Board will be looking to Abramson to provide depth with his experience in business."
The Board has two primary goals for the remainder of this year, Rector Thomas F. Farrell, II said.
"One goal is our strategic planning exercise that we are working on with President [John T. Casteen, III], and the other is to fully understand our relationship with University Foundations," Special Committee on Diversity chair Warren Thompson said.
In addition, Thompson said diversity is another prevalent issue that the Board will continue to address.
"Diversity will continue to be an important topic and on the forefront of what we do," he said. "President Casteen is ultimately the person who is driving this process. He is firmly in front of the issue and is providing the leadership we need to continue to make the University an example for other institutions around the globe."
-Mimi Liu contributed to this article.
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