51Ç鱨վ

Dear Monarch Nation:

51Ç鱨վ is honored to serve as the professional home to outstanding individuals who contribute daily to the operation and success of our campus community. It takes many dedicated individuals to address the complex matters facing a public research university. As such, I am pleased to announce that Allen T. "Al" Wilson, Esq. is joining Monarch Nation, due to the recent retirement of University Counsel Earl Nance, Esq. following a decade of service to our institution and more than forty years as a practicing attorney.

Al's legal mind and overall approach to our work are second to none. He is brilliant and brings a wealth of knowledge and deep experience to our institution! Al was selected by the Office of the Attorney General for this position, as University Counsel, in which he will be the lead attorney for 51Ç鱨վ. In this critical role, he will provide expertise and guidance around all legal, policy, and regulatory matters. He will report to my office and work directly with the Board of Visitors, vice presidents, and academic deans, as well as other campus and strategic partners.

Al has spent nearly twenty years with the Office of the Attorney General, as an Assistant Attorney General from January 2002 until being promoted to Senior Assistant Attorney General in September 2015 through the present. Al has a tremendous amount of experience in working with the Commonwealth of Virginia in both human services and higher education. His higher education experience involves serving as lead counsel to the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, as well as Radford University. Prior to Al's service to the Commonwealth, he was a managing attorney with a legal services firm, legal counsel in city government, and a sole practitioner at his own firm. A dedicated scholar, Al received a J.D. from the University of Dayton in 1991 and a B.A. from Virginia Tech in 1988.

In being selected for the position, Al said, "I am honored to have an opportunity to continue serving the Commonwealth of Virginia and join 51Ç鱨վ. As I arrive on campus and in the area, I look forward to meeting my colleagues in the coming days, as well as our students, faculty, and staff in the near future!" Please join me in welcoming Al to 51Ç鱨վ and wishing Earl well in his much-deserved retirement!

With Monarch Pride,

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President