Feature Story

Honoring the Past, Welcoming the Future: Highlights from the 2026 Graduation Forum

April 23, 2026 · Lacy Pullan

Leading up to Southern Virginia University’s upcoming Commencement ceremonies on May 1, the campus community filled the Knight Arena with cheers at the annual graduation forum on April 17 as they celebrated the Class of 2026. The event recognized senior and Professor of the Year awards, welcomed President-elect Aaron Hale, and honored President Bonnie H. Cordon’s leadership.

Citing Proverbs 3:5, President Cordon promised that trusting God over our own knowledge brings great rewards. “We feel like we’ve learned so much, but if you have enough courage and faith to listen to the Lord–even when it doesn’t make sense–the opportunities for you will be endless.”

President Cordon emphasized that the most exciting and hard seasons of life require holding tight to the Savior, offering a final spiritual charge to the graduates to stay connected with and support each other and to place a relationship with the Lord as their highest priority.

“You can’t trust somebody you do not know,” continued President Cordon. “If you don’t know your God in Heaven, if you do not know your Savior Jesus Christ, you cannot trust Them. You live in the most exciting season of the world, so hold tight to Them.”

Echoing her sentiment, Derek Cordon looked back on his three years of campus life and summarized his SVU experience and what he saw daily on campus in one word: Love. Praising the students for embodying the University motto to “Love One Another,” he challenged them to continue to serve and love their peers as they leave campus.

“Think about all the wonderful experiences you’ve had this past year,” said Derek. “My thoughts go to the great commandment our Savior gave to ‘love one another as I’ve loved you.’ I see this every day as you serve each other in small, meaningful ways. Don’t be afraid to say yes to hard things and then watch as the Lord’s arm is revealed and miracles happen. I love you.”

For Student Body President Leigh-Anne Verburg, saying yes became a defining part of her college experience. Having completed a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before transferring to SVU, Verburg shared how she made the most of her two years on campus by participating in the Polynesian Heritage Association, Phi Delta Phi, student government, and the women’s wrestling team — and felt, because of it, that she had a full college career.

“​​If you are looking to succeed, decide today that you’re not going to skip a class, a practice, a rehearsal,” Verburg said. “If you’re looking to make friends, decide today that you’re going to speak to a new person. If you’re looking to have a bright future by the time you graduate, decide today what tomorrow will look like and hold yourself to a high standard.”

Reflecting on his time at SVU, salutatorian Jacob Feldman thanked his professors and peers for the support he felt from them as a student. He then boiled down his undergraduate experience into what he called the Four A’s of SVU Accomplishment: Attention and Acknowledgement, Amigos, Athletics, and Atonement.

“On our spiritual report cards we have nothing but F’s, but because Jesus Christ atoned for our sins, He did all the work for our final projects,” said Feldman. “Because of him, we get an A. I bear witness that God loves you. SVU is a place where we can be acknowledged and recognized, where we can make amigos, where we can join athletics, and access Christ’s atonement.”

Recently announced President-elect Aaron Hale encouraged the graduates to continually develop their testimonies of the Lord and Jesus Christ and serve one another as they embarked on their next steps. He also expressed his gratitude to President Cordon and Derek Cordon for their leadership.

“I want to honor President Cordon and Derek for all the work and sacrifice that they have put into this university over these last three years,” said Hale. “Their faithfulness, their sacrifice, their love for this place and for you is written on the walls of this campus and on the hearts of all of you. We are so grateful for them.”

The event featured musical performances of a “Shenandoah” and “Love One Another” medley by the Camerata Orchestra and directed by Dr. Jakob Hofer, and “I Will Go the Distance/Gravity” performed by a student choir. Senior awards were announced, and Professor of the Year was awarded to Associate Professor of English Ariel Clark Silver and Associate Professor of Biology Jared Lee.

At the conclusion of the forum, the university choirs and alumni sang “Oh Shenandoah,” and the faculty members lined up as those in attendance cheered the graduates during the recessional.

Graduate Awards
Below are the valedictorian, salutatorian, and awards announced in the Graduation Celebration.