March 5, 2004

By Dan Heuchert

Gov. Mark Warner’s latest round of appointments to the U.Va. Board of Visitors leaves the University’s policy-making body with what is believed to be its most diverse lineup ever.

Glynn Key

With the appointment of Washington attorney Glynn D. Key, the 17-member board (including a nonvoting student representative) now includes three African-American members and three women. Key and 2003 Warner appointee Susan Y. “Syd” Dorsey are African-American, as is 2002 appointee Warren M. Thompson. The other female member is 2003 appointee Georgia M. Willis.

“It will for sure be the most diverse it has ever been,” said University President John T. Casteen III. “That’s good for everyone. The range of talents, backgrounds, interests and prior support for faculty, staff and students will make this one of the most exciting groups ever.

Also appointed March 3 were G.S. “Sandy” Fitz-Hugh Jr. of Richmond, president of Bank of America-Virginia, and W. Heywood Fralin of Roanoke, chief executive officer of Medical Facilities of America Inc., which operates nursing homes in Virginia and North Carolina.

The trio replaces former U.S. Rep. Thomas J. Bliley Jr. and Charles L. Glazer, who were not reappointed, and William H. Goodwin Jr., who served two terms and was not eligible for reappointment.

W. Heywood Fralin

Warner also reappointed Rector Gordon F. Rainey of Richmond to a second four-year term. Rainey, chairman of the executive committee of the Hunton & Williams law firm, was first appointed by then-Gov. James Gilmore in 2000.

“I am disappointed that Tom Bliley and Charlie Glazer were not reappointed. Both were valuable members,” Rainey said. “But the three new members are outstanding, each with strong records of service to the University. I would like to thank Tom and Charlie for their contributions and welcome Heywood, Glynn and Sandy to the board.” The board is believed to have had at least three female members twice before. Gov. Colgate Darden (later a U.Va. president) appointed four women to the board in 1943, at the height of World War II; and Bettie Morie, Patricia Kluge and Elsie Holland had their terms overlap for one year in 1994. No governor before Warner has appointed three African-American members, and Warner is the first governor since Darden to appoint three women.

“I am especially pleased to have selected highly qualified individuals representing the rich diversity of the Commonwealth, because I believe it is appropriate for the leadership of our public institutions to represent the changing face of Virginia,” Warner said.

Upon taking office, Warner set up a bipartisan panel to review candidates for appointment to boards of visitors at the state’s public institutions. In addition to their gender and racial diversity, his appointees have come from both major political parties.

Among the items U.Va.’s new board is expected to tackle are the reports of two bodies set up to look into diversity issues at the University — its own special committee, chaired by Thompson, and a presidential commission appointed by Casteen. The reports are due this fall.

The new board members will take their seats at the next meeting, April 15-17.

Gov. Warner’s 2004 Board of Visitors appointees:

• G.S. “Sandy“ Fitz-Hugh Jr. of Richmond is president of Bank of America-Virginia and a 1962 graduate of the University. Fitz-Hugh has served on the board of directors of the Virginia Athletics Foundation and as president of the University’s alumni chapter in Richmond. His father and son also graduated from the University.

• W. Heywood Fralin of Roanoke is chief executive officer of Medical Facilities of America Inc., which operates nursing homes in Virginia and North Carolina. Fralin, a 1962 graduate of the University, is past president of the board of trustees of the Virginia Student Aid Foundation and currently serves as a trustee of the University of Virginia Foundation.

• Glynn D. Key of Washington is a partner at the Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering law firm. She is a 1986 graduate of the University and received a law degree from the University in 1989. Key is a former Echols Scholar, Jefferson Scholar and chairwoman of the Honor Committee. While in law school, Key served as the student representative on the Board of Visitors.

• Gordon F. Rainey of Richmond currently serves as rector of the Board of Visitors. He is a partner and chairman of the executive committee at the Hunton & Williams law firm. Rainey is a 1962 graduate of the University and received his law degree from the University in 1967.

The rest of the board:

• Thomas F. Farrell II of Richmond (vice rector). Term expires March 2005; eligible for one reappointment.

• William G. Crutchfield Jr. of Charlottesville. Term expires March 2005.

• Susan Y. “Syd” Dorsey of Mechanicsville. Term expires March 2007; eligible for one reappointment.

• Mark. J. Kington of Alexandria. Term expires March 2006; eligible for one reappointment.

• Lewis F. Payne of Nellysford. Term expires March 2007; eligible for one reappointment.

• Don R. Pippin of Wise. Term expires March 2006; eligible for one reappointment.
• Terence P. Ross of Alexandria. Term expires March 2005.

• Thomas A. Saunders III of New York City. Term expires March 2005; eligible for one reappointment.

• Warren M. Thompson of Sterling. Term expires March 2006; eligible for one reappointment.

• E. Darracott Vaughan Jr. of New York City. Term expires March 2006; eligible for one reappointment.

• Georgia M. Willis of Ruther Glen. Term expires March 2007; eligible for one reappointment.

• John O. “Dubby” Wynne of Virginia Beach. Term expires March 2007; eligible for one reappointment.

• James W. Head of Charlottesville (nonvoting student member). Appointed to a one-year term at the February meeting.