Speeches
Once a Knight, Always a Knight: Alumni Share Stories at Homecoming Forum
To kick off Homecoming weekend, the campus community and visiting alumni gathered in the Knight Arena to hear alumni Paul Montagna (‘12) and Reese Reynolds (‘00) speak on how the support they found at Southern Virginia University prepared them for success in their life and careers.
Meeting his wife, Courtney, in the Knight Arena his freshman year, Montagna emphasized the pivotal role their marriage has played in many of his career and life decisions, including switching careers after completing his undergraduate to become a dentist.
“While I talk about some of the life successes we’ve experienced since college, it’s important to me that you know above all that it has been our commitment to each other and our faith that has been the greatest source of our happiness and our truest mark of success,” said Montagna. “Please don’t be confused. Faith and family stand at the top.”
Sharing how his rigorous academic journey as a business major at Southern Virginia University prepared him for his dental studies at Indiana University, Montagna credited his professors and his liberal arts education for his ability to establish his dental practice during the height of the covid pandemic.
“The interactions with faculty and great leaders was the ultimate experience in my personal growth,” Montagna said. “They prepared me for dental school by holding mock interviews, helping me study for the dental admissions exam, researching dental schools, and providing countless other services to springboard me into the next challenge.”
Reynolds explained that when he transferred to Southern Virginia University to play soccer, he found an environment in which the campus community encouraged him to be the best version of himself rather than finding success in being better than others.
“I am so grateful I came here because here’s where I learned to push myself, to expect more of myself, and to pursue my best, whatever that was,” said Reynolds. “I would ask you guys to look around, because you will find people here that will help you find the best version of you, and that is what you need to have a successful, wonderful life.”
Inviting all the alumni in attendance to come to the stage, Director of Alumni Association Jessi Whipple (‘10) highlighted how the tight-knit community established at the university is dedicated to helping past and present students.
“We, the alumni, will support you now, and we will continue to support you as you graduate and move on to the next steps,” Whipple said. “Your capacity is endless, absolutely endless, and being a Knight provides you with the network and the support that you need to propel forward in your journey. Once a Knight, always a Knight.”
President Bonnie H. Cordon offered the closing remarks, challenging the student body to unite with each other and with the Lord as they finish the semester.
To open the event, the campus community joined to sing the university fight song. The Concert Chorale then performed Michael John Trotta’s “Dies Irae,” and the Camerata Orchestra performed “Battle” by Soon Tee Newbold. The forum closed with university choirs and alumni singing “Shenandoah.”