University President 12

Casteen’s tenure began in 1990 and has witnessed the emergence of the University of Virginia as arguably the premier public university in America. President Casteen’s reign will be a tough act to follow. But if the search committee is looking for some ideas, I have a few.

What are the qualities that matter? There are many, but two qualities seem essential:
l The next president of UVa should love the place, love its students and faculty, and be an enthusiastic supporter of the various, sometimes wacko, traditions that make UVa the truly wonderful place that it is

l The next president should know how to deal with aggravating, powerful, opinionated people over which she (or he) will have little or no control.

Summarizing: The next president needs to be a really nice person who has experience running a circus of prima donnas.
What are the traits to avoid? That’s easy — no professional politicians or bureaucrats. Don’t bring us anyone with a political agenda — right or left. Political views are irrelevant unless they are a controlling part of one’s personality, in which case they are a negative. So, leave out Hank Paulson, Ben Bernanke, Newt Gingrich, Sarah Palin, Tim Geithner, Barney Franks, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton and John Edwards. Besides, they all have other things to do, except Edwards of course.

I also omitted candidates who are not personal acquaintances. I do want some influence (and some credit where credit is due) when this process is over. (I want to be able to say: “You owe me.”). Many worthy candidates were also omitted because they are such marvelous performers in their current jobs and it wasn’t clear that replacements for what they do now could be found. So, take heart! If you are not in my list, you may still be a very serious and worthy candidate.

I should warn the Board of Visitors that my list has an unusually large number of folks connected with athletics, but heck ... why not?

So, to save the university’s search committee some time, I thought I would provide a list of candidates that seem fit and ready to assume the presidency. Here they are, in no particular order:

Professor Edward Ayers,
president of the
University of Richmond

Professor Ayers is in his third year of learning the ropes in Richmond, a stepping stone that should lead him to be the eighth president of the University of Virginia. Ayers is a distinguished academic, an outstanding teacher and a really super person. Sorry about this, U of R, but rank has its privileges. There can no more complete candidate than the brilliant and articulate Ed Ayers.

Karen Bonding, McIntire School of Business,
University of Virginia

One of the most popular teachers at the University, Karen Bonding has immersed herself in various nooks and crannies of university life. Long a strong supporter of Madison House, Karen relates easily to students, faculty and administrators with equal aplomb. She has even done a teaching stint in China, so she brings an international flavor to my list of candidates. Karen has a distinguished business career in finance, so she could help navigate the rough financial weather that may lie ahead for the University.

Leonard Sandridge,
executive vice president,
University of Virginia

Leonard Sandridge is the person who has, for the past two decades, made the trains run on time at the University of Virginia. Sandridge is one of the most outstanding individuals to ever walk the halls of the university. He is a tireless worker, knows the university better than anyone, and invariably finds himself in a position to make good things happen at the university. I doubt that Sandridge really wants the job, but I think he should be given a one-year term as president in honor of the enormous contributions that he has made over the years. This is a really good man.

Dena Evans,
owner and founder
of Point Guard College

Dena Evans is a 1993 economics graduate of the University and was an all ACC point guard on the UVa basketball team that played in three Final Fours and one national championship game. Evans has built a thriving basketball camp business that operates in more than 15 states. She is a proven manager of strong egos. Her camp business is basically an education business about the finer points of playing the point guard position in basketball. Although steeped in athletics, Dena Evans was an outstanding student, narrowly missing Rhodes Scholar selection in the Texas competition. Having built a thriving business, Dena is ready for a new challenge. This could be it.

Eugene Fife, principal
of Vawter Capital

Eugene Fife has no discernible tie to the University of Virginia. He is, in fact, a graduate of Virginia Tech. Fife spent a good part of his life in charge of Goldman Sach’s non-U.S. businesses. While stationed in London, Fife became a finance legend and occupies a lot of space in the recent epic history of Goldman Sachs written by Charles D. Ellis, titled “The Partnership.” Fife certainly has experience herding prima donnas. Goldman Sachs had (has) lots of them. Fife lives in Charlottesville, so moving expenses would likely be minor.

Rebecca Hogan, managing
director, Morgan Stanley

Rebecca Hogan graduated from UVa in 2000 with a degree in chemical engineering. I know, I know. She’s barely over 30. But, youth could be a big advantage for our university’s eighth president. Hogan made Wall Street’s exclusive list of top 30 traders under the age of 30 three years ago and is one of our most successful recent graduates. Hogan cut her teeth in the securitized products group, moved on to residential mortgages and finally traded the infamous ABX (that’s the subprime mortgage index). It can’t get worse than that baptism of fire, so she should well prepared to lead the university forward.

Craig Littlepage,
director of athletics, University of Virginia

Is there a nicer person at the University of Virgina? Not that I have found. This man, by definition, deals with prima donnas as he cracks the whip on the varsity athletic programs. Littlepage brings style, class and quality to his candidacy. He has taken UVa to the front ranks of major college athletics and been a witness and participant in the growth of our academic strengths during the same time. Littlepage knows the university and respects all of its various constituents. He would be a great president.

Kenneth Elzinga,
professor of economics, University of Virginia

I admit to a little prejudice here. Professor Elzinga is an esteemed member of my own department, the Department of Economics. Arguably the best teacher of economics in the country, Elzinga has won every university award that exists for a professor. For the past three decades, no name at UVa has been more revered by students than that of Ken Elzinga. He is truly a jewel. Meanwhile, he has shown his prowess in the outside world as one of the leading authorities in the field of antitrust law. Professor Elzinga is an institution at the university and I humbly propose his candidacy.

Peter Kiernan, a UVa dad,
CEO of Kiernan Ventures

Yes, Peter Kiernan is a UVa dad and a sterling one at that. After a successful career at Goldman Sachs, Kiernan devoted his post-Goldman years to shepherding his young children through high school and on to the University of Virginia. So far, Edie, Marielle and Lacy have graced our corridors. There is a fourth Kiernan still in high school, but we hope soon to see the younger Peter Kiernan follow the path of his three sisters to UVa. Senior Peter Kiernan sports an MBA from Darden and is easily one of the most popular Wall Streeters (not many of those these days) around. Kiernan has dealt with big egos and is a true gentleman and a renaissance man. He would make a fine eighth president for the University of Virginia

John MacFarlane,
another UVA dad,
CEO of Tudor Investments

MacFarlane is another Wall Street legend, but has established himself as something of a legend at the University of Virginia. Like his classmate Peter Kiernan, he serves on the Darden Board of Trustees and has supported the university over the years in every way that a busy alum can support our hallowed institution. MacFarlane could not possibly be as young as he looks, given his resume, but that should be an advantage for our university’s eighth president. Stealing MacFarlane away from Tudor Investments might cause a rift with another significant alum, whom I will not mention. But, with that minor reservation, MacFarlane would make a great eighth president.

Brian Boland, men’s tennis coach, University of Virginia

I realize nominating Brian Boland is going to cause some heartburn for his neighbor and friendly rival, Brian O’Connor (coach of the UVa baseball team), but Boland’s team spends most of the year at No. 1, while O’Connor’s recent successful team was somewhat of a late bloomer. Besides, you can’t nominate two guys named Brian, so I had to go with Boland. Why? Look at his record. UVa is now the No. 1 tennis program in America, and there is no finer group of kids in the university than this group. Brian’s players can be temperamental, so he has some background that could be useful in dealing with recalcitrant faculty. You have to go with success and this man is success. He’s a nice guy to boot.

Diane Long, UVa mom

Everyone knows about Chris Long, but how many recognize the name of Chris’s mom — Diane Long? Educated as an attorney, Diane has spent most of her adult life corralling husband Howie and their three superathlete progeny. Somehow, she has managed to make all four of the men in her life successful. These skills could serve us well at the university. She knows the university well and clearly demonstrates an ability to deal with strong personalities. The Long family is one of our great local families. Diane Long is my dark horse candidate for the eighth president of the university.