Spotlight

Spotlight

270 Pyramids, 10 Hours: Professor Barbara Crawford Leads Landmark Red Rocks Amphitheatre Installation

June 26, 2025 — After two years of preparation, Professor of Art Barbara Crawford completed her largest art installation yet at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on April 7—the theatre’s first installation—with some of the local staff and a group of Southern Virginia University students, professors, and alumni.

Spotlight

Launching Towards a Career in Sports Management 

June 25, 2025 — Tate Rusick (‘25) is using his college education, the support of his professors, and his experience as the first director of football video and technology at Southern Virginia University to prepare him to turn his love of sports into a career.

Spotlight

From University Motto to Life Motto: Taking “Learn that Life is Service” to Heart

June 25, 2025 — When Major Jake Johnson (‘11) stepped on campus as a freshman, Southern Virginia University’s motto “Learn that Life is Service” resonated deeply with him, impacting him and his wife not only during their time as students but years later as he has served around the world in the U.S. Army.

Spotlight

Finding & Creating a Home at Southern Virginia University  

June 20, 2025 — Caleb Palmer (‘26) moved to Buena Vista, Virginia while in high school when his dad accepted the position as the director of the Southern Virginia Institute of Religion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Taking a gap year after high school to move away and look at various college options, Palmer felt Southern Virginia University calling him back. 

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Thriving as a Student–Athlete at Southern Virginia University 

June 10, 2025 — Abigail Klusman (‘26) feels like she has grown the most at Southern Virginia University by learning to balance soccer, school, work, and having fun. As a student-athlete on the women’s soccer team, the skills she’s learned combining sports and academics has allowed her to thrive at the university and prepare for her future. 

Spotlight

Growth, Joy, Connection–Reflecting on Sarah Jane Carraher’s Freshman Year

June 10, 2025 — Sarah Jane Carraher (‘28) glows with the happiness and confidence many freshmen have after finishing out their first year at Southern Virginia University. She explained that she has found a place at the university where she feels loved and accepted, and she is excited by her growth.

Spotlight

How Curiosity Led to the Discovery of a New Species of Bacteria in North America

June 4, 2025 — When Veronica Andersen (‘25) decided to collect her own bacteria samples for the microbiology class she served as a teacher’s assistant in January 2024, no one expected it to lead to the discovery of a new brand of bacteria, a team of students and professors embarking on over a year of research, and an upcoming submission slated to become the university’s first peer-reviewed scientific paper.

Spotlight

Associate Professor of Art Doug Himes Retires After 19 Years With Southern Virginia University

May 30, 2025 — After 19 years of dedicated teaching and mentorship, Associate Professor of Art Doug Himes retired at the end of the 2024–25 academic year. Honored with the designation of professor emeritus of Southern Virginia University, Himes spent his duration at the university teaching fundamental art classes and inspiring hundreds of students.

Spotlight

Class of 2025 Heading Towards Internships, International Trips, and Masters Programs

May 7, 2025 — As graduation approaches this weekend, many seniors at Southern Virginia University are preparing to launch into their chosen career paths. Below are several students who are pursuing exciting opportunities through internships with major companies, international courses, and masters programs.

Spotlight

Learning to Understand Others and Oneself: Sydney Bassett’s Perspective

April 29, 2025 — Sydney Bassett (’25) has learned that life offers many lessons that only adversity and diversity can teach. By moving to unfamiliar places, becoming the captain of Southern Virginia University’s women’s volleyball team, and pursuing knowledge and self-discovery, Bassett understands that learning is central to the life she wants to live.

Spotlight

History Professors Utilize Student Conversations to Deepen Scholarship

April 29, 2025 — Bringing their academic passions to the forefront in recent book projects, three professors in the Southern Virginia University history program are utilizing classroom experiences to develop their scholarly works.

Spotlight

Third SVU Student Jasmine Rios (‘26) Receives Sigma Delta Pi’s Prestigious Gabriela Mistral Award

April 25, 2025 — Today, the national collegiate Spanish honors society Sigma Delta Pi awarded Jasmine Rios (‘26) the Gabriela Mistral Award, making her the third consecutive recipient of the award at Southern Virginia University.