After seven years serving in the position, University President Jim Ryan publicly announced his resignation Friday following demands from the Department of Justice for him to step down from the role. The Cavalier Daily invited University alumni to share their thoughts on the situation via email, and many who responded expressed negative feelings about the news.
In their responses, many alums criticized the Trump administration for overstepping its boundaries and abusing its power for political gains. Many also criticized the Board of Visitors for accepting Ryan’s resignation and for failing to uphold the values of the University.
“Whether or not individuals agreed with President Ryan’s leadership style, … [the] DOJ’s actions this week and over the past two months represent a gross overreach of power and an undeniable attempt to censor an institution that exists to facilitate freedom of thought and the pursuit of learning,” one Class of 2023 alumnus who wished to remain anonymous said.
Class of 2024 alumna Taylor Vest said that the demand for Ryan’s resignation is not only an attack on the University, but on academic freedom and institutional independence. She also described the Board as largely silent and complicit in the matter.
“Rather than defend our University’s leadership and autonomy, they have stood by while a respected president is pushed out for staying true to his convictions which benefit the greater university community,” Vest said. “This is not how decisions should be made at U.Va. This is not how leaders are treated in a healthy democracy. This is not the Virginia way.”
Two Class of 1995 alumni who wish to remain anonymous stated that they were sickened by the turn of events that led to Ryan’s resignation. They went on to say that they were ashamed of multiple parties involved in the situation and that they fear a similar situation may be likely to play out again at a different school.
“We are disgusted by the parties complicit in this shameful situation: the DOJ, acting on behalf of the Trump administration to attack higher education and in fact education at every level; Governor Youngkin for enabling this attack at U.Va.; and the Board of Visitors for their political biases or unwillingness to stand up for the University of Virginia and for President Ryan,” the anonymous alumni said.
While many expressed concern at the events of this weekend, for The Jefferson Council — a conservative group of University alumni — Ryan’s resignation was a victory. In a letter sent to Council members and shared with The Cavalier Daily, President Joel Gardner said the Council’s work, including ResetUVA, had revealed policies of Ryan’s which “encouraged illegal discrimination.”
“Let us work together to ensure this turning point is not squandered,” Gardner wrote. “The Jefferson Council stands ready to support a new era of leadership that embodies transparency, accountability and a true dedication to the principles upon which both our country and The University were founded.”
Ann Brown, co-chair of Wahoos4UVA — a group of alumni in support of Ryan and which was established in opposition to ResetUVA — also shared a statement with The Cavalier Daily about Ryan’s resignation.
“This is an assault not only on U.Va., but on the very principles of academic freedom, institutional autonomy and democratic governance. Jim Ryan has been a singularly effective leader and has made U.Va. stronger even through times of challenge and tragedy,” Brown wrote.
Multiple alumni responses added direct quotes from or invoked Thomas Jefferson, former President of the United States and the founder of the University. Jefferson’s vision for the University included religious and thought diversity, a school where students could think freely and critically.
Class of 2008 alumnus Andrew Mullan expressed his discontent with the decision and urged the Board to reject Ryan’s resignation.
“I am heartbroken that the University would capitulate to this kind of absurd overreach from any presidential administration, but especially this one,” Mullan said. “This is a total abrogation of the principles of academic freedom on which the third president of the United States founded this University.”
Class of 2014 alumnae Carrie Hartgrove and Taelor Logan submitted a joint letter to the editor in which they also drew upon Jefferson’s founding principles of the University. They described Ryan’s decision to resign as “honorable” and one that showed “true leadership and grace,” but said that this action ultimately comes as a result of an attack on educational institutions.
“Mr. Jefferson’s University is a place for the free pursuit of knowledge, to exchange diverse ideas, to even passionately debate the issues of our day,” Hartgrove and Logan said. “To attack these principles for the sake of a single ideology is to attack the very essence of why this University was founded.”
Class of 1988 and 1991 alumna Ann Pulliam said she was heartbroken to see Ryan’s resignation under political pressure from the Youngkin administration and the Board. She said Ryan led with integrity and a steadfast commitment to building a more inclusive University and that his ousting does not reflect the values of the University community.
“The politicization of the Board — driven by national culture wars and political ambition — is a betrayal of U.Va.’s legacy and Virginia’s tradition of academic independence,” Pulliam said. “This decision was not made in the best interest of the University, its students or the Commonwealth. It was made to serve political ends — at the expense of a visionary leader.”
Some responses stated that Ryan’s leadership at the University was rare and exemplary. Class of 2025 alumna Savannah Hafer recalled memories of Ryan’s guidance through the Nov. 13, 2022 shooting and said that his departure demonstrates his continued dedication to the University and its community.
“I still remember him crying on stage in front of thousands after the 2022 shooting, because he cared. And he still does, enough to leave prematurely to protect U.Va.,” Hafer said. “I am outraged along with my community but I will never be prouder than to be an alumni of Jim Ryan’s University.”
Cecilia Mould contributed reporting.
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