U.Va. President Casteen to step down next summer

University of Virginia President John T. Casteen III told the board of visitors today that he will step down next summer.

Casteen will retire on Aug. 1, 2010, after 20 years at the helm of the state's flagship university.

He called his time at U.Va. -- where he earned three degrees in English -- "magical" and said he is "eager to applaud what comes next."

Casteen, 65, was president of the University of Connecticut from 1985 to 1990 before returning to Charlottesville. He had taught English at U.Va. and also served as dean of admission in 1975. He was Virginia's secretary of education from 1982 to 1985.

U.Va. Rector W. Heywood Fralin said that he expects the board to begin a search for Casteen's successor in late July.

-- Karin Kapsidelis