Virginia Union Names New President
Interim Head becomes first female to lead school

RICHMOND, Va. - The board of trustees of Virginia Union University has named Dr. Belinda C. Anderson president, effective May 25. Anderson, who served as the university's interim president, becomes the school's first female head.

Dr. Belinda Anderson

Dr. Frank S. Royal, chairman of the board, said:

"At each juncture of her professional career, Dr. Anderson has distinguished herself as an inspiring educator, an efficient administrator unafraid of tough decisions, and a consensus builder with students and alumni.

"Since joining Virginia Union's staff four years ago, Dr. Anderson has strengthened the university's academic programming across all departments and has broadened faculty development.

"Her focus on the university's financial well being has earned the respect and confidence of the board, the broader VUU family and much of the national academic community. Under Dr. Andersen's administration, the university is enjoying positive financial results for the first time in three years.

"She is widely admired for her accomplishments and improvements in the university's relationship with its alumni and students. Her popularity with these two key university constituencies reflects her natural leadership ability, integrity and competence.

“Virginia Union will prosper under the leadership of this national-caliber academic."

J. Carter Fox, retired CEO of Chesapeake Corp. and chairman of the university's search committee, said:

"Searching nationally for an academic leader who has the talent, vision and energy to carry a great academic institution forward is a demanding task. It's gratifying to complete our work with the promising conclusion that the right person for the position is already on the job. We voted unanimously to recommend that the board keep exciting new talent in place."

Fox said the search committee began a national review of candidates last August with the help of a Los Angeles-based consultant. The search committee included 10 members of the university's board, two faculty members and two students.

Anderson was named Virginia Union's interim president in August 2003. She joined the university in August 2000 as vice president of academic affairs with responsibility for the university's academic policy and procedures, budget administration, and faculty and curriculum development.

Anderson said:

"It's an honor to be selected to help lead an important historic institution successfully into a new century. Our challenge is to unlock Virginia Union's tremendous potential. Our goals are to pursue national academic prominence, to graduate increasing numbers of high-quality students in multiple disciplines, and to build and nurture a rewarding, vibrant and intellectually stimulating university."

Prior to joining Virginia Union's administration, Anderson served in senior academic and student affairs positions with the Virginia State Council of Higher Education. She also served as dean and professor of the School of General and Continuing Education at Norfolk State University and as director of academic advising services at Radford University in Radford, Virginia. Anderson began her career as a classroom teacher in the Portsmouth and Norfolk, Va., public school systems.

Anderson earned an Ed.D. in higher education administration from Virginia Tech. She holds an M.S. in history and a B.S. from Radford University. In 2001, Anderson was named Radford University's outstanding alumnus of the year.

Virginia Union University, located in Richmond, Va., is one of the nation's oldest historically black colleges.