UPDATE
Rector John Rocovich has responded to Gov. Abigail Spanberger’s move to have him removed from the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, stating that he will not resign.
In a letter, Rocovich called the decision “deeply offensive” and “legally unsupported.” He detailed his years of service to Virginia Tech, noting his initial appointment to the Board of Visitors in 1997, with reappointments in 2010 and 2023. Rocovich also referenced his time serving as a board rector from 2002 to 2004, as well as his involvement with various other commissions.
He wrote that in the 154-year history of Virginia Tech, dating to its founding in 1872, no Virginia governor has ever removed a member of the Board of Visitors “for cause.” Rocovich argued that there are no grounds for his removal and noted that Spanberger’s letter did not identify a specific cause, as required by law.
While Spanberger’s letter referenced a Virginia code, the exact details surrounding the call for Rocovich’s removal remain unclear at this time. Rocovich said he intends to serve his appointed term faithfully.
“Virginia Tech deserves better than to be made a political football,” he said. “I have given too much of my life to this institution to stand by silently while its independence is threatened — regardless of which party holds the Governor’s office.”
ORIGINAL STORY
Gov. Abigail Spanberger has removed Rector John Rocovich from the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, citing code violations.
Edward “Ed” Baine will take Rocovich’s place and complete his term, which ends June 30, 2027. Baine was previously appointed to the Board of Visitors on July 1, 2018, by then-Gov. Ralph Northam and was reappointed on July 1, 2022, by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
According to Virginia Tech, Rocovich served on the board of visitors from 1997 to 2005 and again from 2010 to 2014, and was board rector from 2002 to 2004. In 2023, former Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed him to serve another four-year term.
At this time, the exact details surrounding Rocovich’s removal are unclear. We have reached out to the governor’s office for more information.