2025

Speeches

Finding Fulfillment through Gratitude, Growth, and Giving with Entrepreneur Lloyd Roberts

March 19, 2025 — On Friday, March 14, the Southern Virginia University community gathered in the Knight Arena to listen to entrepreneur Lloyd Roberts speak on finding fulfillment through gratitude, growth, and giving.

News Release

Josh Monsen Named Director of Athletics

March 12, 2025 — Southern Virginia University President Bonnie H. Cordon has named Josh Monsen the university’s director of athletics. Monsen, who has been serving as the interim director of athletics since September 2024, will now formally take on the role, continuing his leadership within the athletic department.

Speeches

Leading Without Losing Yourself: Lessons from Reporting in Washington with McKay Coppins

March 7, 2025 — On March 7, the Southern Virginia University community gathered in the Knight Arena for a University Honor’s forum to hear McKay Coppins, author and staff writer for The Atlantic, speak on upholding principles while pursuing personal ambitions.

Speeches

The Difference is in Christ with Tracy Browning of the Primary General Presidency

March 6, 2025 — On Feb. 28, the Southern Virginia University community gathered in the Knight Arena to listen to Sister Tracy Browning, counselor in the Primary General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, speak on creating a distinct life by centering the use of personal gifts on Jesus Christ.

News Release

Sheri Dew, Executive VP of Deseret Management Corporation, to Speak at Commencement May 9

March 5, 2025 — Sheri Dew, the executive vice president and chief content officer of Deseret Management Corporation, will address Southern Virginia University graduates, faculty, staff, students, and friends at Commencement, honoring the Class of 2025, at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 9, 2024.

Speeches

Finding a Testimony as a Skeptic with Judge Thomas Griffith

Feb. 26, 2025 — On Feb. 21, the Southern Virginia University community gathered for a devotional with Judge Thomas Griffith, former judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, as he spoke about how skepticism helped him develop his testimony of God and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Spotlight

Discovering and Combining Counseling, Spirituality, and Teaching into a Career

Feb. 20, 2025 — After graduating from Southern Virginia University with a degree in business, Kenson Hiatt (‘12) started his career as an insurance agent. Soon realizing he had little passion for it, Hiatt prayed for direction and received an answer to switch to marriage and family therapy when he saw a family walking into a temple.

Speeches

Finding Confidence in a Christ-Centered Identity with CEO Amy Antonelli

Feb. 20, 2025 — On Feb. 14, the Southern Virginia University campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Amy Antonelli, CEO of Humanitarian HXP—an independent nonprofit that operates humanitarian expeditions for youth—speak on finding confidence in an identity developed in Christ. 

Spotlight

Student and Alumnus Selected as Fulbright Semi-Finalists

Feb. 12, 2025 — Melia Luker (‘25) and Jacob Adams (‘23) have been selected as semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program, recommending them by the US National Screening Committee to a host country of their choice.

Speeches

Launching Into the Future: Celebrating the Launch Center’s Reopening

Feb. 7, 2025 — 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. 

Speeches

Creating a Life of Abundance Through the Gospel with Kevin and Sydnee Calderwood

Feb. 6, 2025 — On Jan. 31, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Kevin and Sydnee Calderwood, the recently released President and Relief Society President of the Provo Missionary Training Center, speak on how centering your life on Christ creates an abundant one.

Spotlight

Lauren Threet’s Life of Service and Understanding

Feb. 5, 2025 — Humanitarian worker and returned missionary Lauren Threet (’26) spends her life helping others and living to be kinder every day. Determined to dedicate her life to service, Threet looks for opportunities to lift and connect with others in everything she does.