March 2, 2010 — The Virginia General Assembly has approved a joint resolution recognizing University of Virginia President John T. Casteen III.

The resolution, presented to Casteen today on the floor of the state Senate, commends the retiring president for his leadership in higher education, which has "made the University of Virginia what Thomas Jefferson envisioned – the capstone of public education in Virginia."

Casteen will retire Aug. 1 at the conclusion of his 20th year as president.

The text of the resolution:

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 290
Offered Feb. 16, 2010
Commending John Thomas Casteen III

Patrons – Toscano, Tata, Abbitt, Abbott, Albo, Alexander, Anderson, Armstrong, Athey, BaCote, Barlow, Bell, Richard P., Bell, Robert B., Brink, Bulova, Byron, Carr, Carrico, Cline, Comstock, Cosgrove, Cox, J.A., Cox, M.K., Crockett-Stark, Dance, Ebbin, Edmunds, Englin, Garrett, Gear, Gilbert, Greason, Griffith, Herring, Hope, Howell, A.T., Howell, W.J., Hugo, Iaquinto, Ingram, James, Janis, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, Keam, Kilgore, Knight, Kory, Landes, LeMunyon, Lewis, Lingamfelter, Lohr, Loupassi, Marshall, D.W., Marshall, R.G., Massie, May, McClellan, McQuinn, Merricks, Miller, J.H., Miller, P.J., Morefield, Morgan, Morrissey, Nixon, Nutter, O'Bannon, Oder, Orrock, Peace, Phillips, Plum, Pogge, Poindexter, Pollard, Purkey, Putney, Rust, Scott, E.T., Scott, J.M., Sherwood, Shuler, Sickles, Spruill, Stolle, Surovell, Torian, Tyler, Ward, Ware, O., Ware, R.L., Watts and Wright

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 191
Offered February 18, 2010
Commending John Thomas Casteen III

Patrons-- Houck, Barker, Blevins, Colgan, Deeds, Edwards, Hanger, Herring, Howell, Hurt, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, Marsh, Martin, McDougle, McEachin, Miller, J.C., Miller, Y.B., Newman, Norment, Northam, Obenshain, Petersen, Puckett, Puller, Quayle, Reynolds, Ruff, Saslaw, Smith, Stosch, Stuart, Ticer, Vogel, Wagner, Wampler, Watkins and Whipple

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WHEREAS, John Thomas Casteen III, President of the University of Virginia since 1990, is recognized in 2010 for his outstanding service to the Commonwealth and his fellow citizens; and

WHEREAS, a native of Portsmouth, John Thomas Casteen III graduated from Cradock High School and matriculated as an English major at the University of Virginia (U.Va.), earning a bachelor's degree in 1965, a master's degree in 1966, and a doctoral degree in 1970; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen began his career in education first as a teacher and then as an administrator at the University of California, Berkeley; and

WHEREAS, in 1975, Dr. Casteen returned to his alma mater, the University of Virginia, to become dean of undergraduate admissions and a member of the English faculty; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as dean, Dr. Casteen worked successfully with secondary schools throughout the Commonwealth to improve the quality of courses for students preparing for college; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen achieved a national reputation for raising the academic standards expected of successful applicants, and with the support and encouragement of his predecessor, President Frank Hereford, helped make the University of Virginia more inviting and accessible to minority applicants; and

WHEREAS, in 1982, Dr. Casteen was appointed Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth by Governor Robb, and he was able to continue the efforts with Virginia Public School districts that he had initiated as dean of admissions at U.Va.; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen was named as president of the University of Connecticut in 1985, and during his five years there he gained national recognition for his leadership; and

WHEREAS, in 1990, Dr. Casteen was selected as the seventh president of the University of Virginia; and

WHEREAS, President Casteen has led the University of Virginia to new levels of excellence to a point where U.Va. is ranked every year as either the best or the second best public institution of higher education in the country; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen created AccessUVa, a program that provides financial aid so that any student who meets the University of Virginia's standards for admission and is qualified for financial aid may attend without incurring significant debt; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen has worked successfully to create a welcoming environment at U.Va. for women and minorities on the faculty and in the ranks of the administration; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen has been a strong voice in support of alcohol and substance abuse education, not only at U.Va. but in institutions of higher education throughout the country; and

WHEREAS, in concert with the General Assembly and with colleagues across Virginia, Dr. Casteen has been a leader in the restructuring of higher education, defining a new partnership between the Commonwealth and the universities; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Casteen's achievements have benefited not only U.Va. but the Commonwealth as a whole and truly have made the University of Virginia what Thomas Jefferson envisioned – the capstone of public education in Virginia; and

WHEREAS, a dedicated educator and an excellent administrator, Dr. Casteen has been a leader in higher education in Virginia and in the nation; and

WHEREAS, after a highly successful and productive tenure, Dr. Casteen will retire as president of the University of Virginia in July 2010; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend John Thomas Casteen III for his exemplary leadership as president of the University of Virginia; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to John Thomas Casteen III as an expression of the General Assembly's gratitude for his many valuable contributions to quality education in the Commonwealth and best wishes in all his future endeavors.