2024 | Southern Virginia University News

Feature Story

Spotlight

Crossing the Ocean to Pursue Baseball and College Dreams

Dec. 17, 2024 — Growing up playing baseball in his hometown of Dajabón, Dominican Republic, Marcelino Leonardo Jr. (‘26) followed a dream of playing professional baseball to the United States, where he currently plays for Southern Virginia University and studies business.

Speeches

The Blessing of Turning Your Life Over to God with Jon and Michelle Schmidt of The Piano Guys

Dec. 13, 2024 — On Dec. 6, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena for the annual Christmas Forum to hear from Jon and Michelle Schmidt of The Piano Guys as they performed and shared how giving their lives to God changed the course of their musical career.

News Release

Dale Murri Named Director of IT Services

Nov. 22, 2024 — Buena Vista, Va. — VP of Brand & Technology Bryce Pendleton has named Dale Murri the director of information technology. With nearly 20 years of IT experience, many of which in a university setting, Murri will oversee the university’s IT department, including AV services, broadcasting, and university websites.

"It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play"

News Release

The Unseen Impact of an Ordinary Life: The Classic Tale of “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a 1940s Radio Play

Nov. 21, 2024 — In a classic 1940s Christmas setting, the university’s theatre program performed Joe Landry’s live radio play adaptation of the American Christmas favorite, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” on Nov. 8-9 and 14-16.

Spotlight

Graduation and New Beginnings: Maddy Fisher’s Journey in Faith, Growth, and Career

Nov. 21, 2024 — Graduation can be both exciting and daunting for many students, as Maddy Fisher (‘24) recently experienced when she received her diploma on the front steps of Main Hall in May. Entering a new phase of life, Fisher credits her time at Southern Virginia University with providing her the spiritual and academic skills needed to tackle post-graduation challenges head-on.

Speeches

Pushes, Pulls and Elbows: The Life-Changing Power of a Simple Nudge

Nov. 19, 2024 — On Nov. 15, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Liz Darger, senior associate athletic director at Brigham Young University, speak on how recognizing spiritual nudges of the Holy Ghost can lead to wonderful opportunities.

News Release

Tyler Orr Named Director of the Launch Center for Career Development

Nov. 14, 2024 — Buena Vista, Va. — Southern Virginia University is pleased to announce Tyler Orr as the director of the Launch Center for Career Development, a program aimed to equip students for success before and after graduation.

Speeches

Taking The Reins of Your Life with Entrepreneurs Corbin and Kara Church

Nov. 12, 2024 — On Nov 8, the campus community gathered in the Knight arena to hear entrepreneur Corbin Church, founding partner of Ensemble Capital and managing director of iHub Innovation, and his wife, Kara, speak about embracing failures and taking advantage of life's opportunities.

Spotlight

Finding the Missing Piece: Claire Nielson’s Freshman Experience

Nov. 8, 2024 — After returning home from her mission in Brazil, Claire Nielson (‘28) had doubts about where to continue her undergraduate studies. Two weeks before the Fall 2024 semester started, a friend introduced her to Southern Virginia University, and Nielson felt the pieces fall into place.

Speeches

Enhancing Discipleship as Conscientious Stewards of the Earth

Nov. 7, 2024 — On Nov. 1, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena for a forum hosted by the university’s Honor Program to hear Dr. George Handley, professor of interdisciplinary studies at Brigham Young University, speak on the importance of being stewards of the earth as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Spotlight

Ariel Clark Silver’s Summer of Research at the Massachusetts Historical Society

Nov. 1, 2024 — Assistant Professor of English Ariel Clark Silver spent part of the summer at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston as the Alyson R. Miller Fellow, researching for her current book project, “The Conversationalists,” which focuses on the trailblazing work of five women who met with Margaret Fuller in the 1840s.