Speeches & Writings
Speeches
President Ryan shares an honest reflection with returning alumni.
In a heartfelt tribute, President Ryan remembers Casteen as a visionary leader who reshaped UVA and expanded opportunity for countless students.
President Ryan delivers greetings from the academy, emphasizing that great university leadership must be grounded in a sober, tough, and courageous love for the institution.
President Ryan speaks about his vision for holistic education at the Contemplative Commons, November 2024
As a new school year begins at the University of Virginia, President Jim Ryan shares his hopes and promises to make UVA the “best place it can possibly be."
President Ryan describes the stunning result of expansive renovation projects on Grounds and makes a call for all in our community to live the values of respect and compassion.
President Ryan’s remarks at the Memorial Tree Planting and Dedication Ceremony for Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry.
More than 50 new Americans from 28 countries gathered for a time-honored ceremony at Monticello, with UVA President Jim Ryan as the keynote speaker.
The University president welcomed graduates to the Lawn on Saturday and Sunday for UVA's 194th Final Exercises.
Remarks at the Memorial Service and Reflection for Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry.
President Ryan delivers remarks at The Inauguration of the Ninth President of the University of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Magill.
University of Virginia president James E. Ryan was invited back to his alma mater, Midland Park High School, to give a graduation speech for the Class of 2022.
President Jim Ryan addresses Alumni at UVA's Reunions 2022, focusing on where we've been, where we are, and where we're going.
Though it initially appeared the pandemic would hinder the campaign and UVA’s strategic plan, UVA has maintained steady progress toward its goals and stayed true to its values.
During the UVA Class of 2020 virtual celebration, President Jim Ryan addressed graduates, asking them what they will carry forward as the world reopens.
A Speech to the American Enterprise Institute, February 2020
During last weekend’s “Honor the Future” campaign kickoff, Ryan shared a letter to the future, describing the University as it is now and as he hopes it will be. See an excerpt from his address.
On Aug. 1, incoming President Jim Ryan launched “Ours to Shape,” an initiative to develop and define a shared vision for UVA’s future. Thousands of people have helped shape a strategic plan, now ready to present to the Board of Visitors.
Speaking to graduates at UVA’s College at Wise, the University of Virginia president shared five life lessons he took away from one of the University’s greatest sports moments.
President Jim Ryan spoke briefly to graduates as part of Final Exercises 2019, which also featured keynote addresses from Cameron Webb and Dorrie Fontaine.
On the 200th anniversary of UVA’s charter, President Jim Ryan called upon the University to rededicate itself to its animating purpose of serving the public.
On Friday, UVA announced a new School of Data Science, made possible by the largest private gift in the University’s 200-year history. Take a look back at the big event, which featured President Jim Ryan, Gov. Ralph Northam and other leaders.
President Ryan shares a surprising story about his family.
Jim Ryan was officially sworn in as UVA’s ninth president on a beautiful fall afternoon on the Lawn. The new president used his inaugural address to deliver a bold, hopeful vision for the future, including a firm promise for low- and middle-income Virginians.
Sunday was a day of firsts for the University’s newest students and for the new president who officially welcomed them to Grounds.
On the one-year anniversary of the white supremacist attacks on Grounds, UVA President James E. Ryan urged the University to live up to its highest ideals.
The University of Virginia Board of Visitors on Friday unanimously voted to name James E. Ryan as the University’s next president. He will return to UVA as president after serving since 2013 as dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He earned his law degree at UVA and was a law faculty member for 15 years.