It is a testament to the overall success of W. Taylor Reveley IV that the recent decision by Longwood University’s Board of Visitors to extend his contract through 2023 has been received as exciting and welcome news.

Coming from a family of college presidents can create daunting expectations, but he has delivered.

In Reveley’s three-and-a-half years as its president, Longwood has a 4-year graduation rate of more than 50 percent for the first time in decades, and tuition increases have been less than 3 percent each year versus the 5.5-percent statewide average.

He helped facilitate a new strategic plan in 2013, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools re-accreditation in 2014, a new master plan in 2015 and a new curriculum in 2016.

Also this year, Longwood has received the largest amount in capital funding from the commonwealth in school history — $42 million — and hosting the U.S. Vice Presidential Debate had an $83 million dollar media value.

The debate is one example of how Reveley has helped fulfill one of his six strategic goals — driving the prosperity of “America’s Oldest Two-College Town.”

Farmville Mayor David Whitus said Reveley has reached out to the community more than any Longwood president in recent memory, ushering in a new era in town-university relations. He called Reveley’s contract extension a win-win for Longwood and Farmville, two parties he has done a great job of bringing together.

We commend Reveley for his commitment to facilitating the success of Longwood, Farmville and the broader community.