2023

News Release

The Top 10 Stories of 2023

Dec. 20, 2023 — With welcoming Bonnie H. Cordon as the new university president, having our largest graduating class to date, and celebrating our incredible Knights’ achievements, it’s been an exciting year of growth and new opportunities at Southern Virginia University! Here are the top 10 news stories of 2023.

Spotlight

10-Year Reflections: A Q&A with Nate (‘12) and Megan (‘09) Ondricek

Dec. 13, 2023 — In just over a decade since graduating from Southern Virginia University, alumni Nate (‘12) and Megan (‘09) Ondricek have earned master’s degrees, found meaningful work, raised three children, and have given back through the Alumni Association.

Speeches

Celebrating the Holiday Season in Song

Dec. 5, 2023 — To celebrate the holiday season, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena on Dec. 1 for the annual Christmas musical forum. There, Accolade, Chamber Singers, and the Camerata Orchestra performed Christmas carols and holiday classics for the last University-wide gathering of the fall semester.

News Release

Mourning a Tragic Loss for Our Community

Nov. 19, 2023 — Dear Southern Virginia University Community,

Spotlight

The Life-Changing Power of Scholarships

Nov. 17, 2023 — Aligned with the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Southern Virginia University provides faithful Latter-day Saints and like-minded students with a premium education at a private university at less than half the price of comparable private colleges and universities.

Speeches

The Healing and Unifying Power of Art with Artists Esther Hi’ilani Candari and Barbara Crawford

Nov. 15, 2023 — On Nov. 10, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear artists Esther Hi’ilani Candari and Professor of Art Barbara Crawford speak on their combined decades of artistic works and experiences and art’s healing and uniting power throughout life.

News Release

Southern Virginia University Recognized as a Phi Kappa Phi Circle of Excellence Platinum Chapter

Nov. 15, 2023 — Phi Kappa Phi has recently recognized Southern Virginia University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Circle of Excellence Platinum Chapter, the highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization, for the fourth time since the Circle of Excellence distinction was created in 2018.

Spotlight

How Eryn Pawluk’s (‘21) Academic Experiences Prepared Her for Yale

Nov. 9, 2023 — A graduate in biochemistry and biology, Eryn Pawluk (‘21) praises her Southern Virginia University professors and undergraduate experiences as she prepares to complete her master’s degree at the Yale School of Public Health, where she is specializing in epidemiology of microbial diseases with a primary focus on environmental infectious diseases.

Speeches

Finding and Maintaining Happiness In Life with Alumni Scott (‘01) and Rachel (‘05) McKeon

Nov. 1, 2023 — On Oct. 27, the campus community and visiting alumni gathered in the Knight Arena to kick off the annual Homecoming Weekend and hear from alumni Scott (‘01) and Rachel (‘05) McKeon as they shared stories of their time as students and principles to find happiness throughout life.

News Release

Jared Covington Named Director of the Launch Center for Career Development

Oct. 26, 2023 — Southern Virginia University is pleased to name Instructor of Marketing Jared Covington as the director of the Launch Center for Career Development, a career- and student-focused initiative —the next evolution of the university’s Career Center. This initiative will equip students for success after graduation by providing personalized support and guidance with faculty and alumni connections and mentorship, career preparation, and tutoring for job and graduate school applications.

Speeches

Understanding the History of Race and the Priesthood in Latter-day Saint Tradition with Historian Dr. W. Paul Reeve

Oct. 18, 2023 — On Oct. 13, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Dr. W. Paul Reeve, Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Utah, share his research and insights on the history of race and the priesthood during the early years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

News Release

Bonnie H. Cordon Named President of Southern Virginia University

Oct. 13, 2023 — Buena Vista, Va. — By unanimous vote, Southern Virginia University’s Board of Trustees has installed Bonnie H. Cordon as the university’s tenth president.