Speeches
![Candid portrait of President Ryan](/sites/president_d9/files/ryans_welcome_back_202401_thumb4.jpg)
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 Jim Ryan giving speech during ceremony](/sites/president_d9/files/promo_FW_Football_Tree_Planting_ss_012.jpg)
President Ryan’s remarks at the Memorial Tree Planting and Dedication Ceremony for Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry.
![‘Look Past Labels, Learn Someone’s Full Story’](/sites/president_d9/files/Monticello_Naturalization_ss_02-2400x1350%20%281%29.jpg)
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.
![To the Class of 2023](/sites/president_d9/files/Thumb_Ryan__UVA8629.jpg)
The University president welcomed graduates to the Lawn on Saturday and Sunday for UVA's 194th Final Exercises.
![Lives Remembered](/sites/president_d9/files/Ryan_Memorial_Serice_25_DA_1600x900.jpg)
Remarks at the Memorial Service and Reflection for Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry.
![The Inauguration of Elizabeth Magill](/sites/president_d9/files/ryan-20221022%20%281%29.jpg)
President Ryan delivers remarks at The Inauguration of the Ninth President of the University of Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Magill.
![test](/sites/president_d9/files/po-speech-midland%20%281%29.jpg)
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 Ryan at a podium speaking](/sites/president_d9/files/po-speech-reunions.jpg)
President Jim Ryan addresses Alumni at UVA's Reunions 2022, focusing on where we've been, where we are, and where we're going.
![President Ryan at a podium speaking](/sites/president_d9/files/po-speech-back_to_the_future.jpg)
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.
![Ryan In graduation attire speaking from the Rotunda](/sites/president_d9/files/po-speech-class_of_2020.jpg)
During the UVA Class of 2020 virtual celebration, President Jim Ryan addressed graduates, asking them what they will carry forward as the world reopens.
![Rotunda with text that reads: Education Live](/sites/president_d9/files/po-speech-american_enterprise_institute.jpg)
A Speech to the American Enterprise Institute, Feb 2020
![Ryan on a stage speaking to a crowd](/sites/president_d9/files/ryan_speech_ss_thumb.jpg)
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.
![President Ryan listening to someone speak](/sites/president_d9/files/ours_to_shape_thumb.jpg)
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.
![Jim Ryan speaking from a podium in Graduation attire](/sites/president_d9/files/jim_ryan_wise_speech_wen_header_3-2_2.png)
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.
![Jim Ryan speaking from a podium in Graduation attire outside](/sites/president_d9/files/sms_9290_ryan.jpg)
President Jim Ryan spoke briefly to graduates as part of Final Exercises 2019, which also featured keynote addresses from Cameron Webb and Dorrie Fontaine.
![Jim Ryan resting on a podium while he listens to an audience member talk](/sites/president_d9/files/Screen%20Shot%202019-10-08%20at%201.26.16%20PM.png)
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.
![President Ryan in the Rotunda Dome room giving a speech](/sites/president_d9/files/dsi_announcement_ss_29_thumbnail.jpg)
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 with a microphone on stage](/sites/president_d9/files/ryan_dka16447_16_9.jpg)
President Ryan shares a surprising story about his family.
![President ryan outside in graduation attire giving a speech](/sites/president_d9/files/ryan_speech_da_header_3-2_2.jpg)
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.
![The Lawn full of graduate while a stage is full of UVA leadership](/sites/president_d9/files/convocation_2018_da.jpg)
Sunday was a day of firsts for the University’s newest students and for the new president who officially welcomed them to Grounds.
![President Ryan at a wooden podium giving a speech to a crowd](/sites/president_d9/files/imperfect_pursuit.jpg)
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.
![President ryan speaking to a crowd from a podium](/sites/president_d9/files/Jim%20Ryan%20Thumbnail-min.png)
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.