CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Chosen amidst controversy involving the extent of federal intervention and a pending transfer of power in Virginia’s Executive Mansion, the University of Virginia began the selling to the community of the University’s 10th President, Scott Beardsley.

In a more-than-90-second introduction video, Beardsley introduced himself as being, “so proud to have been selected as the 10th President of the University of Virginia.”

“I’m deeply honored and excited to step into this new leadership role at this storied institution that dates back to 1819, when Thomas Jefferson’s bold vision transformed higher education.”

In the video, Beardsley mentioned prior to his tenure at Darden, he spent 26 years in the private sector as an executive and business leader working with people, motivating them, and helping achieve their goals.

He arrived at UVA in 2015 and in five years’ time was named Dean of the Year by the publication “Poets and Quants for Executives”, described at the time as “the only ‘nontraditional’ dean of a top 20 business school who is not an academic”.

That’s the same publication he told only a few weeks after stepping into Pavilion I as the Darden School Dean that he began looking at higher education as he was working at world-class business consulting firm McKinsey & Co. and approaching an age 60 retirement.

He wondered if it might be a natural fit since he grew up in a family of educators, especially thinking that at the time when he was touring universities one of his sons was looking at attend.

“My brother and sister are both educators. My grandmother was a teacher. My uncle was a college president, and both my parents worked at different universities and colleges. So I feel very comfortable in an intellectual environment,” he told the publication at the time.

In fact, in 2012, he delved into the Presidency of Dartmouth at the time, but his qualifications fell short because he did not have a doctorate.

Living in Belgium as a McKinsey executive, his response to that lack of qualification was enrolling in the University of Pennsylvania’s Executive Doctorate for Higher Education program, and making a monthly commute between Belgium and Philadelphia for two years.

In his weekend video for UVA, Beardsley said of his private sector experience, “What inspired me most throughout that time was working with people, learning how to motivate them, support their growth, and help them achieve their goals.”

Beardsley’s private sector tenure prior to his record-setting 10-year stint as Darden School Dean set the stage for the Board of Visitors’ selection, according to a release from UVA.

“In a moment when institutions of higher education across the nation are facing complex questions regarding academic and institutional independence, research funding changes, a shifting landscape for collegiate athletics, and many others, the board identified Beardsley’s experience leading large, multifaceted organizations and managing competing priorities as key attributes,” the release said.

As for Beardsley’s tenure at Darden, Frank Sands, a Darden alumnus, immediate past chair of the Darden School Foundation, and CEO of Sands Capital, said Beardsley, “is a visionary leader who consistently delivers. He has transformed Darden – elevating the school to top rankings, relentlessly pursuing teaching excellence and student outcomes, and attracting world-class students, faculty and staff,” according to the release. “Under his leadership, Darden expanded to the Northern Virginia/D.C. metro campus, opened the remarkable Forum Hotel and advanced new student housing, significantly enhancing the school’s reach and impact. His accomplishments are matched only by his integrity and his unwavering belief in the power of education to change lives. Scott brings a rare combination of global leadership experience, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to service. I have full confidence that he will be an exceptional president of the University of Virginia.”

In the video, Beardsley said, “During my time at Darden, I’m proud of all we have accomplished from investing in our students and faculty, expanding access to our world class MBA program, to advancing innovation in areas like artificial intelligence.”

“Now, I look forward to bringing that vision to the Grounds.”

He said he’s excited to partner with the schools, faculty, staff, students, health care professionals, and alumni “to write the next chapter in our shared journey.”

“Together we will advance scholarship, expand opportunity, and strengthen our contributions beyond the Grounds,” Beardsley concluded.