Generosity to education appreciated

Frank Batten Sr. was not a resident of Charlottesville, but through his support of the University of Virginia he influenced this community as profoundly as many who make this their permanent home.

His impact will continue to improve the lives of individuals and of the body politic.

Mr. Batten died this week in Norfolk at age 82 after a long illness. His business accomplishments included building Landmark Communications newspapers into powerful state and regional voices and founding the Weather Channel, an early foray into cable television whose success defied prediction.

His business acumen brought him great wealth — he was 190th last year on the Forbes list of the 400 richest Americans — much of which he dedicated to philanthropy.

In Charlottesville he is known and appreciated for an endowment of $100 million to the University of Virginia, funding the creation of the first new school at the university in 50 years. The Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy is designed to train the next generation of leaders who are “dedicated to the common good [and] will both preserve our democratic traditions and inspire those that come after … ,” said UVa President John T. Casteen III when the new school was announced in 2007. These leaders will in turn influence national and international life, in both the public and private sectors.

This wasn’t the first substantial gift Mr. Batten had made to the university. In 1999, he gave $60 million to the Darden School to create the Batten Institute, which promotes entrepreneurial leadership in business. Mr. Batten had received his undergraduate degree from UVa, and had later served as a trustee of the Darden foundation.

He also served in many capacities at other educational institutions, including as the vice chairman of the state Council on Higher Education, and gave gifts to schools ranging from Norfolk Academies to Hollins College to Harvard University.

His belief in entrepreneurship and public service — and how the two can be combined — greatly shaped his philanthropy. The sharing of that belief is especially needed in these troubled times. Mr. Batten’s generous and far-sighted giving will ensure the continuation of these ideals.