Speeches
Launching Into the Future: Celebrating the Launch Center’s Reopening
On Feb. 7, the campus community met in the Knight Arena to celebrate the official reopening of Southern Virginia University’s Launch Center, where professors Jared Covington and Ariel Clark Silver and the Launch Center director Tyler Orr shared personal stories, insight, and advice on finding one’s career.
“When we were reenvisioning the Career Center into the Launch Center, we came to the quick realization that the Launch Center can’t just be a single room,” said Covington, who served as the Center’s interim director. “You need to see the whole university as your Launch Center, and you need to understand that everyone here—from professors to professional staff, to coaches, to trainers—is here to help you launch.”
Working at a record shop while studying English at the University of Utah, Covington shared that his career path started with a casual conversation with a record executive that led to several business jobs in the music industry, with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Utah Jazz, and now Southern Virginia University.
“When I reached out and talked to that executive, I wasn’t looking for a job, but it turned into one,” Covington said. “I want to challenge you to create your own luck like I did. I want you to find someone on campus this week who you can connect with, who may be able to help you get one step closer to where you want to be or to figure out what that could be.”
Silver shared that while studying religion and biblical literature at the University of Chicago, she received inspiration to postpone her dream of a P.h.D. in order to prioritize her other dream of having a large family. Several years later she was able to start her doctoral studies at Claremont Graduate University, where she studied part time and raised a family of six children, allowing her to eventually teach at Southern Virginia University.
“Some opportunities come early, some opportunities come late, remain open to them all,” said Silver. “Remember that the divine plan works across all of the things that interest us: music, marketing, dance, literature, and religion, and family, and any other interest that you might have across the whole of our lives and across many generations.”
Sharing his journey of pursuing sports medicine, then switching to psychology for his bachelor’s and human resources and business administration for his masters, Orr emphasized that one’s major and first job are not indicative of all future careers, and highlighted how the Launch Center is designed to help students find their own path.
“When you’re coming from a liberal arts institution like Southern Virginia, no matter what you study, the goal is that you’re developing transferable skills that can serve you well no matter whatever direction the rest of your life takes you,” said Orr. “I want you to know you’ve got resources and people here who want to and are excited to help.”
The event featured a musical performance of “Little Liza Jane, Traditional” by the university’s 2nd Line Brass Band, and ended with the traditional singing of “Love One Another.” Following the event, all were invited to the official ribbon-cutting and opening ceremony of the updated Launch Center in Main Hall 219.
