Spotlight

Spotlight

From SVU Lacrosse to NFL Design: Natalie Yule’s Journey to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Creative Team

Aug. 15, 2024 — Among the first graduates of Southern Virginia University’s design program, Natalie Yule (‘22) is about to embark on the next big step in her career as a production designer for the Kansas City Chiefs, the 2024 Super Bowl champions.

Spotlight

Football Team Captain Receives Prestigious Phi Kappa Phi Fellowship

Aug. 7, 2024 — The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, recently awarded a $8,500 Fellowship to Jacob Wood (‘23) to pursue dental school at the University of Utah this fall. Wood is the third Southern Virginia University student in four years to receive this prestigious award.

Spotlight

Barbara Crawford’s Artistic Journey Around the World

Aug. 2, 2024 — On June 16, Professor of Art Barbara Crawford traveled to the picturesque hills of Sanquhar, Scotland, to set up her latest art exhibition at the Crawick Multiverse—a 55-acre land art project—in honor of the local celebration of the summer solstice.

Spotlight

Creating Peace in a Divided World: Students and Faculty Attend Braver Angels Convention

July 24, 2024 — For the weekend of June 27–29, ten Southern Virginia University students and Professors John Armstrong and Todd Brotherson traveled to Kenosha, Wisconsin to attend the fourth national convention of Braver Angels—a grassroots movement that addresses political polarization—by invitation of the organization.

Spotlight

Switching Gears: How Alex Cox Found His Path in Law at Southern Virginia University

July 11, 2024 — Although a major or career-path switch is common among undergraduates, the change can still feel daunting or unsettling. Alex Cox (’24) found himself in this situation when he decided mid-studies to pursue law instead of medicine. 

Spotlight

Hurricanes, Lost Transcripts, and Turning Setbacks into Success

June 20, 2024 — Growing up, Luis Ortiz (‘09) had always been interested in attending Southern Virginia University. But, he was hesitant to leave his hometown of New Orleans. It took a hurricane, lost high school transcripts, and a spiritual prompting to take the leap to Buena Vista and start building a foundation for his future.

Spotlight

How a Campus Job Led to a Career: Emily Donbrosky’s Story

June 6, 2024 — Emily Donbrosky (‘24) didn’t expect her student job at the Von Canon Library to set the course for her future career. Now, three years later, and with a bachelor’s degree in history under her belt, Donbrosky is headed to graduate school to pursue a master’s degree in library and information science with a focus on archival management.

Spotlight

Combining Mission Experiences with Psychology to Help Others Reach Their Full Potential

May 22, 2024 — When Grant Johnson (‘24) first arrived on campus in 2019, he had no idea how much his life would be changed by his peer’s examples, his mission, and a psychology class at Southern Virginia University.

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Second Consecutive Student Receives Distinguished Sigma Delta Pi Gabriela Mistral Award

April 26, 2024 — Today, the national collegiate Spanish honors society Sigma Delta Pi awarded Karenna Olson (‘24) the Gabriela Mistral Award. Olson is the second consecutive student at Southern Virginia University to earn this award, with Jacob Adams (‘23) receiving it last year.

Spotlight

Discovering the Expansive World of an Art Degree in a Museum Studies Class

April 24, 2024 — When Nina Dreiling (‘11) first came to Southern Virginia University to pursue an art degree, she had no idea the impact her professors and a museum studies class would have on her life and career.

Spotlight

Learning Indonesian and Discovering a Love of International Affairs

April 17, 2024 — With eyes set on a career in politics, Emmaline Merrill (‘24) spent the last summer taking an immersive language course in Indonesia as one of only 20 college and university students in the nation accepted for the Critical Language Scholarship.

Spotlight

Brotherhood and a Record-breaking Year: Inside Men’s Volleyball’s Undefeated Success

April 4, 2024 — Undefeated and currently ranked number one in the nation by AVCA/NVA Division III, the Southern Virginia University men’s volleyball team is shattering program records as they battle their way through the 2023-24 season.