Retirement, said Hemingway, is "the ugliest word in the language." For former UVA President John Casteen, one of the most pleasant phrases in the language might be "board appointment."
Yesterday, President Barack Obama announced Casteen as an intended appointee to the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars’ Board of Trustees. And judging by the other board members—including "medical thriller" author Robin Cook and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton—it looks like a heck of a time! In February, Casteen was elected to the board of directors of Altria, the parent company of Philip Morris. In September, he joined the board of directors of the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.
Wilson center board members serve six years, meaning Casteen will have the job through the next presidential election. According to the Woodrow Wilson center’s website, board members serve on various development and investment committees. Looks like that $3 billion capital campaign is paying off before it’s completed.