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JUNE 2023 3 Dear Cavalier Fans, By now, many have learned of my transition to a new role at the University of Virginia. At our April meeting of the VAF Board of Trustees, I shared that after 31 years with the Foundation and 27 as the Executive Director, I have accepted a position with University Advancement as the Senior Executive Di- rector for Principal Gifts. In this role, I will serve the broader University community focused on significant benefactors across the entire University. This spring, VAF reached our $500 million fundraising target as part of the University's $5 billion Honor the Future Campaign two years ahead of the end of the campaign. This is a credit to our generous donors and the hard work of everyone in the athletics department, the VAF staff and Board. We are the largest unit on Grounds to achieve its campaign goal so far and will continue to push well beyond the current total of $514 million. The Annual Fund is off to a good start, surpassing $15 million toward a goal of $21 million. If you haven't made your 2023 Annual Fund pledge yet, we would love to add you to our total. Making a pledge early in the year, even if you plan to pay it in De- cember, helps us forecast our progress and anticipate cash flow. As I wind down my time at the Foundation and look toward my new role beginning on July 31, I am in awe of the generosity of our donors, the dedica- tion of our staff and volunteers, and the successes of our student-athletes and coaches over my last three decades. The formula for success in college athletics is complex and donor support is a critical component. As we look ahead, the national landscape of college athletics is certainly challenging. To build on our momentum and increase our competitiveness across all 27 sports, philanthropy will play an even greater role. We will need to finish the fundraising for the Master Plan as soon as pos- sible, continue to focus on funding the Cavalier Academic Achievement Fund (awards allowed by the Alston Supreme Court case), build our scholarship endowment, and increase gifts to support the operational budget for all sports. There are many opportunities for donors to impact the future of Vir- ginia Athletics. I have thoroughly enjoyed my entire tenure with the Foundation and will miss many aspects of the day-to-day excitement in athletics. I am also look- ing forward to the new challenge and working with many other areas at the University. I don't have to change my wardrobe or my email address and will still cheer loudly for the Cavaliers! It has been a pleasure to serve our donors, student-athletes, coaches and staff for the past 27 years as Executive Direc- tor. Thank you. Go Hoos! Dirk P. Katstra Executive Director 2023 BOARD OF TRUSTEES OFFICERS President Franklin S. Edmonds Jr., Charlottesville, Va. Vice President Rachel Ward Sheridan, McLean, Va. Secretary-Treasurer Dirk P. Katstra, Charlottesville, Va. Immediate Past President Juliana S. O'Reilly, McLean, Va. TRUSTEES Mia M. Bass, Alexandria, Va. Charles R. Birdsong, Suffolk, Va. Marvin P. Bush, Arlington, Va. Ned Durden, Charlotte, N.C. W. Heywood Fralin, Roanoke, Va. Michael S. Geismar, Charlottesville, Va. Marvin W. Gilliam Jr., Bristol, Va. Raleigh Anne Gray, Charlotte, N.C. Christopher A. Harrison, Washington, D.C. Katherine L. Heilpern, New York, N.Y. Yusef D. Jackson, Chicago, Ill. Lauren Lacey, Hershey, Pa. Mark M. Luellen, Charlottesville, Va. T. Douglas McQuade, Roanoke, Va. Herman Moore, Lake Orion, Mich. Craig W. Packer, Greenwich, Conn. Barry L. Parkhill, Keswick, Va. Andrew S. Peskin, Manakin Sabot, Va. Jill Royster, Santa Monica, Calif. Alexander Wellford Tabor, Charlotte, N.C. Carla G. Williams, Charlottesville, Va. MISSION STATEMENT The Virginia Athletics Foundation, through its fundraising efforts, strives to support a preeminent intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Virginia by providing student- athletes the opportunity to achieve academic and athletic excellence. VIRGINIA ATHLETICS FOUNDATION P.O. Box 400833 Charlottesville, VA 22904-4833 (434) 982-5555 | (800) 626-8723 (434) 982-5025 FAX www.VirginiaAthleticsFoundation.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/VirginiaAthleticsFoundation