News Release
The Top 10 Stories of 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.
1. Bonnie H. Cordon Named President of Southern Virginia University
By unanimous vote, Southern Virginia University’s Board of Trustees has installed Bonnie H. Cordon as the university’s tenth president. President Cordon recently completed seven years as a General Officer of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the last five as President of the worldwide Young Women organization.
2. Glade and Kathleen Knight: The Inspired Beginning of Southern Virginia University
The campus community gathered to hear from University Co-founders Glade and Kathleen Knight as they shared memories of Southern Virginia University’s early days, its rapid growth, and their excitement for the future.
3. Students Invited To Unique Richmond Temple Open House Event on March 17
The Richmond Temple Open House Committee set aside time for the Buena Vista Young Single Adult Stake to attend the Richmond Temple Open House on March 17 before its official opening on March 21.
4. Letting God Prevail: Executive Editor of Church News Sarah Jane Weaver’s Personal Witness
The Southern Virginia University community gathered for a devotional to hear from Sarah Jane Weaver, the executive editor of the Church News for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as she spoke on the miracles of letting God prevail in our lives.
5. Alum Researches Genetic Variant in Polynesian Populations in Investigational Lab
For Jacob Taloa (‘23), going to college wasn’t originally in his life plan. Now, after graduating from Southern Virginia University with a 4.0 GPA, he is currently working as a research associate in the Summers/Holland Investigational Lab in the University of Utah molecular medicine program. With plans to become a doctor, Taloa hopes to be an example to Polynesians unsure about pursuing higher education.
The Southern Virginia University community gathered to hear from Chad Webb, Administrator of Seminaries and Institutes of Religion for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In a talk entitled, “The Voice of My Servants,” Webb spoke on the importance of prophets and the changing power of their inspired words and teachings.
7. Southern Virginia University Repeats as USA South President’s Cup Winners
Following the conclusion of the 2022-2023 athletic season of USA South Athletic Conference competition, Southern Virginia University has captured two of the three cups as the Knights repeat as winners of the Overall and Women’s Presidents Cups.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, awarded an $8,500 Fellowship to Jaden Nelson (‘23) to pursue a Doctor of Dental Medicine at Tufts University. Nelson is Southern Virginia University’s second student to receive this prestigious award.
9. W. Todd Brotherson Awarded the Ray and DeLona Zinn Professor of Business
Provost James Lambert announced the awarding of the Ray and DeLona Zinn Professor of Business to Associate Professor of Business W. Todd Brotherson. A named professorship, which was generously donated by long-time Southern Virginia University supporters Ray and DeLona Zinn, covers three years of the professor’s salary and a summer stipend for academic research and travel.
10. Fine & Performing Arts Programs Host Student-led Hilltop Arts Festival
The Music, Art, and Theatre programs at Southern Virginia University joined forces to host the Hilltop Arts Festival—a first-of-its-kind event chiefly planned and led by students—showcasing student, alumni, and community members’ creative works throughout campus.