University of Virginia President Jim Ryan:

Hi, everyone. Jim Ryan here. As Thanksgiving approaches, I’d just like to take a moment to express my gratitude and appreciation to all of you who are part of the UVA community.  

At the beginning of this semester, as we saw turmoil across the world and a tumultuous election season at home, I shared three hopes for our community: first, that we would show each other grace; second, that we would stay curious; and third, that we would find joy together. 

I’ve seen each in abundance this semester.  

You – our faculty, students and staff – have shown each other grace time and again, even in disagreement. You have shared your knowledge and expertise, as well as your curiosity and your compassion. You have comforted each other in times of grief. You have put in countless hours to benefit not just yourselves, but this community. You have shared the joy that comes with sporting events, concerts, plays, the Film Festival, Rotunda Sing and Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn. You have shared the joy that comes with discovery.   

Together, you have demonstrated, once again, what it means to be part of a community that, at its best, feels like a family. Which doesn’t mean we’ll always agree, or even see the world in the same way. But it does mean that our connections transcend our differences.  

For creating and maintaining those connections, you have my deepest gratitude. I am more grateful than I can express to be part of this one-of-a-kind, great and good family. Happy Thanksgiving.