Outgoing UVA President Jim Ryan hugs a fellow runner on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville. The UVA community honored Ryan with a "Run for Jim" after the US Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign over an investigation into UVA's diversity practices.
The departing president had done regular runs with students since 2021.
The morning after his unexpected resignation as University of Virginia president, Jim Ryan gathered at UVA’s Madison Hall along with a group of about 400 students and community members for a “Run for Jim” — an homage to “Run with Jim,” a 2-mile, 30-minute jog around the Charlottesville campus with students that Ryan has held regularly since 2021.
Before beginning the run, Ryan thanked organizers: “It has been an honor to be a part of this community, and Katie and I look forward to continuing to be a part of this community as civilians for years to come. I know it can feel like a pretty dark place that we're in right now, but the sun continues to rise every morning, and this race is not over.”
The day was marked by an outpouring of appreciation for Ryan’s tenure and continued disbelief at his decision to step down — amid a pressure campaign from President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice over an investigation into UVA’s diversity, equity and inclusion practices.
“You can tell that he actually cares about the student body and creating an inclusive environment, which is really important as a minority who did not really go to a school that was that diverse,” said rising third-year Mackenzie Bullock.
Ryan, himself a first-generation college student, had been praised for his work promoting first-generation, low-income students on campus. According to UVA enrollment data, almost 17% of undergraduate students in the fall of 2024 were first-generation college students, up from around 7% in 2014.
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VPM News
A large group of people runs past a statue of Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville.
Rising fourth-year Boris Nakashyan, one of the event’s organizers, said he attended a Run With Jim during his freshman year and was impressed with how accessible Ryan made himself. Nakashyan coordinated with other members of UVA’s class councils and Fourth Year Trustees for Saturday’s event to honor Ryan’s impact on UVA since his 2018 installment.
“It's one thing when you see it happening at other schools. It's another thing when it happens to you,” Nakashyan said of the federal pressure. “That's when you really have an eye opening experience and realize what is truly going on.”
DOJ reportedly threatened UVA with massive cuts to federal funding over assertions that the university was not dismantling its DEI programs fast enough; the Board of Visitors voted in March to dissolve them. Cuts would likely imperil many jobs and research projects at the state-funded university.
“The [Trump] administration is so blatantly anti-science when it comes to their attitudes and their pocketbook,” said Daniel Fisher, a graduate student in materials science. “We want science to be, ultimately, for the people, by the people. That's how it should be, at least in my book. But when funding dries up, then grad students can't get paid. People can't get their research materials, proposals don't go through. It just doesn't work.”
Hours after The New York Times first reported the news of his ousting, Ryan said in a university-wide email that to stay and fight for his job would “not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld.”
Rising second-year Taylor Petrofski supported Ryan’s decision but added that it didn’t necessarily solve UVA’s federal funding concerns.
“I mean, this was a decision of selflessness, in my opinion. But I mean the scary thing is just because he stepped down doesn't mean that the threats of cutting funding are necessarily over,” she told VPM News. “It just means it probably will delay a little bit more.”
Shaban Athuman
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VPM News
People pose for a photo after running with University of Virginia President Jim Ryan (center, "10" shirt) on Saturday June 28, 2025, at the Rotunda at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville.
The UVA Board of Visitors is responsible for appointing Ryan’s replacement. Outgoing Rector Robert Hardie announced Monday that Jennifer "J.J." Wagner Davis, the university's executive vice president and chief operating officer, will assume the role of acting president until the board selects an interim president to lead the university during a nationwide search for a permanent replacement.
Four new board members, appointed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin earlier in June, are set to begin their tenures July 1.
Lara Howell, who graduated in May, expressed concern about who the board would choose to succeed Ryan: “I hope for someone who defends our students' right to self-governance, and I hope for someone who can take this great and good vision that Jim Ryan and the school has cultivated over the past couple of years and continue pushing forward.”
After finishing the run, the community gathered on the steps of the Rotunda to sing UVA’s de facto school song, “The Good Old Song” — then Ryan addressed the crowd once more.
“From the bottom of my heart, I absolutely love this university, and it's because of the community, and you are the ones who make this place great and good,” he said. “So keep the faith and keep it up.”
News Editor Meghin Moore contributed reporting.
1 of 24 — Fromer President Ryan addresses supporters before a run
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan addresses supporters before a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign over DEI policies at the university.
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2 of 24 — Fromer President Ryan addresses supporters before a run
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan addresses supporters before a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
3 of 24 — Fromer President Ryan and applaud his wife before a run
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan and supporters applaud his wife, Katie, before a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
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4 of 24 — President Ryan hugs a supporter
The University of Virginia community joined outgoing UVA President Jim Ryan on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
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5 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community joined outgoing President Jim Ryan on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
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6 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
Benjamin Davis chats with outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan before joining others on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
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7 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community joined outgoing President Jim Ryan on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
8 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community joined their outgoing President Jim Ryan on a run Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The US Department of Justice reportedly pressured Ryan to resign.
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9 of 24 — President Ryan shares a moment with his wife, Katie,
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan shares a moment with his wife, Katie, before joining supporters on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
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10 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community joined their Outgoing President Jim Ryan on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
11 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community joined their outgoing President Jim Ryan on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
12 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community joined their outgoing President Jim Ryan on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
13 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
A large group of people is seen running past a statue of Thomas Jefferson at the University of Virginia on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
14 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
Runners are seen outside of the University Chapel at the University of Virginia on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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15 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan is seen running in a group of people towards the Lawn on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Department of Justice pressured President Ryan to resign.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
16 of 24 — President Ryan embraces Carroll
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan embraces Theresa Carroll, Senior Assistant Dean for Advising and Student Success, after they joined other University of Virginia community members on a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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17 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
The University of Virginia community gathered at The Rotunda with their outgoing President Jim Ryan after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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18 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
People are seen gathering on the steps of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia with outgoing President Jim Ryan after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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19 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan addresses supporters at The Rotunda after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
20 of 24 — President Ryan joins supporters
People are gathered on the steps of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia with outgoing President Jim Ryan for a photo after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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21 of 24 — President Ryan sings with students
People are seen singing “The Good Old Song” along with outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan on the steps of The Rotunda after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
22 of 24 — President Ryan sings with students
People are seen singing “The Good Old Song” and raising their fists in the air along with outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan on the steps of The Rotunda after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
23 of 24 — President Ryan sings with students
Supporters are seen embracing each other after singing “The Good Old Song” along with outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan on the steps of The Rotunda after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Shaban Athuman / VPM News
24 of 24 — President Ryan winks
Outgoing University of Virginia President Jim Ryan winks as he leaves after after a run on Saturday, June 28, 2025 in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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Updated: June 30, 2025 at 4:31 PM EDT
Updated after the announcement that J.J. Wagner Davis would assume the role of acting president.
