Posted on Feb 23, 2023
Texts show Youngkin appointee disparaged University of Virginia staff
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Bert Ellis vowed to fight a “battle royale for the soul of the school” in a series of newly revealed text messages.
A businessman appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors called UVA administrators “schmucks” last year and vowed to fight a “battle royale for the soul of the school” in a series of newly revealed text messages.
In other messages, Bert Ellis — an Atlanta-based investor and UVA alumnus — expressed frustration over the placement of student signs mourning a mass shooting that left three students dead.
Prior to his appointment, Ellis wrote in 2021 that Youngkin’s ability to shape UVA’s board would be “our only opportunity to change/reverse the path to Wokeness that has overtaken our entire University.”
A businessman appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin to University of Virginia’s Board of Visitors called UVA administrators “schmucks” last year and vowed to fight a “battle royale for the soul of the school” in a series of newly revealed text messages.
In other messages, Bert Ellis — an Atlanta-based investor and UVA alumnus — expressed frustration over the placement of student signs mourning a mass shooting that left three students dead.
Prior to his appointment, Ellis wrote in 2021 that Youngkin’s ability to shape UVA’s board would be “our only opportunity to change/reverse the path to Wokeness that has overtaken our entire University.”
Texts show Youngkin appointee disparaged University of Virginia staff
Posted from vpm.org
University of Virginia
Atlanta
Firearms and Guns
Slavery
American History
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Prior to his appointment, Ellis wrote in 2021 that Youngkin’s ability to shape UVA’s board would be “our only opportunity to change/reverse the path to Wokeness that has overtaken our entire University.”
The text messages were uncovered by transparency advocate Jeff Thomas, who took the school to court to force their release under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. They were first reported by the Washington Post. Thomas also provided VPM News a second batch of text messages he received that have not been previously published, which he received through a separate public records request.
In a July 22, 2022, exchange with two other board members appointed by Youngkin, Stephen P. Long and Amanda Pillion, Ellis criticized Vice Provost Louis P. Nelson. Ellis called Nelson a “numnut” and claimed he “has nothing to do but highlight slavery at UVA.”
“This bloated bureaucracy has got to be slashed,” Ellis wrote.
In another Jan. 20, 2023, text to UVA Vice Rector Robert Hardie, Ellis sent what appears to be photos, later redacted, and a message about signs put up by students mourning a mass shooting the year before.
“Examples of the mess on the Lawn doors,” Ellis wrote. “The UVA Strong signs should be made to fit the message boards.”...
..."Prior to his appointment, Ellis wrote in 2021 that Youngkin’s ability to shape UVA’s board would be “our only opportunity to change/reverse the path to Wokeness that has overtaken our entire University.”
The text messages were uncovered by transparency advocate Jeff Thomas, who took the school to court to force their release under the state’s Freedom of Information Act. They were first reported by the Washington Post. Thomas also provided VPM News a second batch of text messages he received that have not been previously published, which he received through a separate public records request.
In a July 22, 2022, exchange with two other board members appointed by Youngkin, Stephen P. Long and Amanda Pillion, Ellis criticized Vice Provost Louis P. Nelson. Ellis called Nelson a “numnut” and claimed he “has nothing to do but highlight slavery at UVA.”
“This bloated bureaucracy has got to be slashed,” Ellis wrote.
In another Jan. 20, 2023, text to UVA Vice Rector Robert Hardie, Ellis sent what appears to be photos, later redacted, and a message about signs put up by students mourning a mass shooting the year before.
“Examples of the mess on the Lawn doors,” Ellis wrote. “The UVA Strong signs should be made to fit the message boards.”...
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