Glenn Youngkin Appoints Critic of Wokeness to Board of Trustees at UVA
Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin continues to exercise his authority to pursue conservative policies, this time by appointing a critic of wokeness to the University of Virginia board.
Youngkin appointed four new trustees to the Board of Visitors for UVA, including Bert Ellis, president of the Jefferson Council. The alumni organization wants to preserve Thomas Jefferson s legacy at the public university.
For Youngkin, the appointments are a chance to exert influence over the university, The Daily Progress noted. In May, he called on college presidents in Virginia to make political diversity a priority in hiring. He s also been critical of the state of free speech at universities.
Ellis wrote a celebratory blog post in December 2021 that urged the new governor to remake the board of trustees.