2024–25 Annual Report
BY STUDY & BY FAITH
A Special Message From Bonnie H. Cordon
Dear Knight Nation,
What a privilege it has been to serve as your president these past three years. As I reflect on all we’ve accomplished together, I am filled with gratitude for the faith, dedication, and excellence you bring to this sacred institution every day.
We’ve witnessed remarkable moments—from our first NCAA National Championship to groundbreaking discoveries like a new species of bacteria, from launching innovative programs like our sports performance major to watching our students achieve at the highest levels. These milestones matter because they represent the kind of transformative education SVU was founded to provide.
But what matters most is that we have kept Christ at the center of everything we do. That commitment has been the foundation of every achievement, every challenge overcome, and every life changed on this campus.
As I conclude my service at SVU, I want to share with you the Core Values we’ve established together. These values will continue to guide this university toward its divine destiny long after my time here. They represent not just who we are, but who we are called to become.
I am deeply grateful to everyone who has supported this mission—our remarkable students who inspire us daily,
our dedicated faculty and staff who give their best, our generous donors who invest in young lives, and all who believe in SVU’s sacred purpose. Most of all, I thank my Savior Jesus Christ for this sacred trust and the countless ways He has guided our path.
I leave confident that SVU’s best days are ahead, united by these values and anchored in our commitment to Christ.
Go Knights!
Bonnie H. Cordon
LAUNCH CENTER
A Special Thank You to Hugh & Cindy Redd
Dear Hugh & Cindy Redd,
On behalf of our entire Knight Nation, I’d like to officially extend our most heart-felt gratitude to you for your consecrated service to, unwavering support of, and Christ-like leadership for Southern Virginia University.
I’m personally thankful, Hugh and Cindy, for the way you welcomed me as Southern Virginia University’s 10th president, and for the strong leadership you provided and vision you shared during my first two years in Buena Vista.
In recognition of your 17 consecutive years of service on our Board of Trustees, included the past five as our fearless Chairman, we were thrilled to celebrate you at our last Founder’s Day and announce our decision to name our career center in your honor:
The Hugh & Cindy Redd Launch Center
Congratulations, Hugh and Cindy, on honorably completing your distinguished tenure as our university’s third Chairman. Thank you, Hugh & Cindy, for your countless contributions—seen and unseen—to Southern Virginia University.
With eternal gratitude,
President Bonnie H. Cordon Southern Virginia University
SVU Announces Wendy Kimber as Board of Trustees Chair
“We as a board are dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience for students...”
The Southern Virginia University Board of Trustees has elected Wendy Kimber as the university’s fourth board chair, the first female in this position. This appointment follows the recent term completion of former board chair Hugh Redd and comes as the university prepares to celebrate its landmark 30th year.
“As we step into our landmark 30th year, I am filled with immense confidence and excitement to partner with our newly appointed board chair, Wendy Kimber,” said President Cordon. “She is exceptionally prepared for this pivotal season in our history and is ready to help us rise to even greater heights.”
Kimber has served as a trustee for SVU since 2018, as well as board liaison for Student Life since 2022. With a steady, student-centered leadership style, she played key roles in the national search and hiring of President Cordon and helped guide the university through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The future is so bright for SVU,” said Kimber. “We as a board are dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience for students during a time that is foundational to their futures. The students are our reason for everything.”
Kimber is a certified life coach and leads a successful business–Wendy Kimber Coaching–and has served in a variety of church and community roles. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University and a master’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in higher education from Grand Canyon University.
She and her husband, Dane, have been married for 33 years and are the proud parents of six children—four of whom attended Southern Virginia University—and ten grandchildren.
ATHLETICS
Men’s Volleyball Wins National Championship
The Southern Virginia University men’s volleyball team made history in 2025 by defeating Springfield College 3-0 to capture SVU’s first ever NCAA Division III national championship. The Knights finished the season with a remarkable 35-1 record, with their only loss coming in late March to Springfield—a defeat they avenged in spectacular fashion on the sport’s biggest stage. Led by AVCA National Coach of the Year Tom Peterson, who built the program from its 2017, the Knights dominated throughout the season, opening with 24 straight victories and establishing themselves as the nation’s top-ranked Division III team.
Senior outside hitter Christian Sheaffer led the championship performance with 13 kills and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, capping a season in which he broke multiple program records and earned recognition as the best player in Division III. The championship victory wasn’t just about one player—four Knights (Sheaffer, Jeremy Brown, Justin Madsen, and Gehrig Tolman) earned NCAA All-Tournament Team honors, showcasing the depth and talent that made Southern Virginia nearly unbeatable. Over 1,000 Knights faithful made the hour-long drive to witness history, creating an electric atmosphere that Coach Peterson credited with helping secure the victory.
Individual Honors and Achievements:
• Christian Sheaffer – AVCA Division III National Player of the Year, NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, AVCA First Team All-American (third consecutive year), CVC Player of the Year (second consecutive), Academic All-America First Team, NCAA All-Tournament Team
• Tom Peterson (Head Coach) – AVCA Division III Coach of the Year, CVC Coach of the Year, Region III Coach of the Year. Peterson is the first volleyball coach in NCAA history to win a national championship at three schools— BYU, Penn State, and Southern Virginia University
• Justin Madsen – AVCA Honorable Mention AllAmerican, CVC Libero of the Year (second consecutive), CVC First Team All-Conference, NCAA All-Tournament Team
• Jeremy Brown – NCAA All-Tournament Team
• Gehrig Tolman – NCAA All-Tournament Team
• Samuel Candland – AVCA Honorable Mention AllAmerican, CVC First Team All-Conference
• Kristo Bianchin – Set single-match program record with 11 blocks in NCAA semifinal victory over Juniata
FROM CURIOSITY TO DISCOVERY
Undergraduate Research Uncovers New Species
When Veronica Andersen asked if she could collect her own bacteria samples for the microbiology class where she served as a teaching assistant, she wasn’t expecting to make scientific history. She simply wanted to see what was growing in the water at Natural Bridge, where she works as a park ranger.
“I was just being a nerd,” Andersen recalls. “It turned into something incredible.”
The dark purple bacteria she collected from Cedar Creek caught the attention of Associate Professor of Biochemistry Roger Johnson, who had never encountered anything like it. DNA sequencing revealed what they suspected: this was an entirely new species, belonging to the rare Janthinobacterium genus— previously found only in places like Turkey, China, and the Arctic, but never before recorded in North America.
What began as one student’s curiosity became a year-long collaborative research project. Four additional biochemistry seniors—Isaac Armstrong, Jacob Smith, Matthew Dryden, and Wes Leneave—joined Andersen and Johnson to conduct the rigorous work required to identify and document a new species. Working alongside Associate Professor of Biology Jared Lee, the team divided responsibilities across genomic analysis, metabolic profiling, phylogenetic mapping, and electron microscopy imaging.
“We got to be part of every single stage of the process,” said Dryden, who coordinated with the University of Virginia Medical School to access their electron
“We got to be a part of every single stage of the process.”
microscope. “From streaking plates to genetic sequencing to writing the paper—it’s been incredible.”
The experience represents exactly the kind of hands-on learning that defines an SVU education. These weren’t graduate students or post-docs conducting research— they were undergraduates taking ownership of a legitimate scientific investigation under expert mentorship.
“One of the most rewarding parts has been seeing their excitement and growth,” said Johnson. “This is real science. And now, when they apply to med school or grad school, they’re bringing actual research experience with them.”
The team’s findings are currently under review for publication, positioning SVU to produce its first-ever peer-reviewed scientific paper—a milestone that reflects both the caliber of our faculty and the academic rigor we expect from our students.
All five student researchers graduated in 2025. Andersen is pursuing a Ph.D. in marine biology.
Armstrong, Smith, Dryden, and Leneave are all entering medical careers, each carrying forward the research skills and scientific curiosity they developed at SVU.
SVU Announces New Sports Performance Major ACADEMICS
Southern Virginia University made history in 2025 by unveiling the first-ever Sport Performance major in the country. Dr. John Armstrong, architect of the Sport Performance program, introduced the newly-designed and approved program at the Sports Major Collective at Nike headquarters in New York City.
“We’re the first school [in the country] to require athletic competition as part of a college major,” Armstrong said to an audience of nearly 150 professors, administrators, coaches, and collegiate and professional athletes. “It’s not just exercise science—our program is truly interdisciplinary.”
“Athletes test their powers in contests that are not only physical, but also deeply social and moral,” said Armstrong. “They develop courage, self-control, and justice, and they do it in real time, under pressure, and in front of an audience.”
As higher education’s pioneer into performance as a professional discipline, Southern Virginia University now leads a growing field, with approximately 50 institutions currently planning to launch similar programs. The curriculum draws a connection between ancient philosophy and modern athletics, arguing that sports can help students grow in reason, virtue, and self-mastery—qualities that will help graduates appeal to future employers.
News & Highlights
Sheri Dew Addresses SVU’s Largest Graduating Class
On May 9, SVU gathered on the front lawn of Main Hall for the university’s annual Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2025—the largest graduating class in university history. There, Dew was recognized with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to the university and the world.
Environmental Studies Major to be Offered Beginning Fall 2025
SVU now offers a bachelor’s degree program in environmental studies. Distinct from a technical environmental science degree, this program builds on the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, offering students a robust scientific core while encouraging interdisciplinary exploration of environmental issues.
$1 Million Raised in First Annual Spring Scholarship Campaign
Thanks to the many generous contributions from the Southern Virginia University community, including a dollar-for-dollar match up to $500,000 from an anonymous donor, Southern Virginia exceeded the full match and raised over $1,000,000 for scholarships during the 2025 spring campaign.
Biology: New Bacteria Discovered with Dr. Johnson
When Veronica Andersen (‘25) decided to collect her own bacteria samples for the microbiology class in January 2024, it led to the discovery of a new brand 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.
Sermon on the Mount:
On March 11, the campus community, university friends, and special guests gathered in the Main Hall Ballroom for the unveiling ceremony of the stained glass “Sermon on the Mount,” generously donated to the university by the Brent and Bonnie Jean Beesley family was created in 2018.
Main Hall Preservation Fund: $1 Million Raised for Mail Hall
Thanks to the generous gifts from the university community, including a dollar-for-dollar matching donation from the Wheatley Family Charitable Fund, Southern Virginia University raised more than $1 million for its newly established Main Hall Preservation Fund.
Ariel Clark Silver Summer Research
Assistant Professor of English Ariel Clark Silver spent part of the summer at the Massachusetts Historical Society in Boston as the Alyson R. Miller Fellow, researching for her current book project, “The Conversationalists,” which focuses on the trailblazing work of five women who met with Margaret Fuller in the 1840s.
Barbara Crawford Leads Landmark Red Rocks Amphitheater Installation
After two years of preparation, Professor of Art Barbara Crawford completed her largest art installation yet at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado on April 7—the theater’s first installation—with some of the local staff and a group of Southern Virginia University students, professors, and alumni.
Stained Glass Unveiled
Notable Speakers
Sharon Eubanks: Crafting a Masterpiece: Weaving the Threads of Life and Faith Together
On Oct. 11, the Southern Virginia University community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Sharon Eubank, director of Humanitarian Services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and JustServe, testify of the power of the unassuming threads in our lives when woven with the gospel of Christ.
Liz Darger: Pushes, Pulls and Elbows: The Life-Changing Power of a Simple Nudge
On Nov. 15, Liz Darger, senior associate athletic director at Brigham Young University, shared personal experiences on how recognizing spiritual nudges of the Holy Ghost can lead to wonderful opportunities.
Jon & Michelle Schmidt: The Blessing of Turning Your Life Over to God
On Dec. 6, the campus community gathered for the annual Christmas Forum to hear from Jon and Michelle Schmidt of The Piano Guys as they performed and shared how giving their lives to God changed the course of their musical career.
Amy Antonelli: Finding Confidence in a Christ-centered Identity
On Feb. 14, Amy Antonelli, CEO of Humanitarian HXP— an independent nonprofit that operates humanitarian expeditions for youth—shared that the three most important labels we can give ourselves are Disciple of Christ, Child of the Covenant, and Child of God.
Judge Thomas Griffith: Finding a Testimony As a Skeptic
During a devotional on Feb. 21 with Judge Thomas Griffith, former judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, he shared how his skepticism skills helped him develop his testimony of God and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Tracy Browning: The Difference is in Christ
On Feb. 28, the university community gathered 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.
McKay Coppins: Leading Without Losing Yourself
During a university honor’s forum on March 7, the Southern Virginia University community gathered to hear McKay Coppins, author and staff writer for The Atlantic, speak on upholding principles while pursuing personal ambitions and maintaining one’s standards while in power.
Sheri Dew: Commencement Address
During her 2025 Commencement address, Sheri Dew encouraged the graduates to intentionally stack wins, emphasizing principles such as service, learning to communicate well, and prioritizing a relationship with God to create a foundation for difficult times.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Knights Watch
J.D. Drasbek
J.D. Drasbek (’16) was appointed as the new president of SVU’s Alumni Association, succeeding inaugural president Scott McKeon (’01). Drasbek brings significant leadership experience to the role, including five years as a healthcare executive at HCA Healthcare and cofounding WorkFitDx.
Russell Watson
Russell Watson (‘23) wasn’t planning on becoming a dentist when he started his undergraduate, but after several unexpected series of events, he is now part of the inaugural class at Lyon College’s brand new School of Dental Medicine. A program that coincidentally is being shaped by another Southern Virginia University alumnus: Burke Soffe, the school’s inaugural dean.
Kenson Hiatt
After graduating in 2012, Kenson Hiatt decided to switch careers from insurance agent to marriage and family therapy, returning to SVU to teach while completing his masters degree. He now serves as an assistant professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at James Madison University.
Jake Johnson
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. Part of the university’s ROTC program, he received the honor of distinguished military graduate from VMI, ranking top 10% in the country, and has since served around the world in the logistics branch of the army.
Chase Pope
A recent graduate, Chase Pope’s (‘25) desire to protect wildlife from a current mass extinction of animals led him to study biology, which will prepare him for a career in wildlife conservation with the dream of working at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Alison Walker
Ignited at Southern Virginia University, Allison Walker Gaughan’s (‘13) artistic career has led her to Scotland’s University of St. Andrews, working at national museums, showcasing her work in shows and museums, and now making the leap to open her own studio in New York.
Ben Burningham
Ben Burningham (‘09) was appointed Wyoming’s first Chancery Court judge, presiding over a specialized statewide court designed to streamline the resolution of commercial, business, and trust cases. His appointment went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
Trager Hintze
Trager Hintze (‘13) joined the ranks of faculty at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine as an assistant professor of pharmacology for the school’s inaugural class, pursuing his dream to train the next generation of medical students to safely and effectively use medication.
Burke Soffe
Twenty years after Burke Soffe became Southern Virginia University’s first student to be accepted into dental school after completing his undergraduate in 2004, he is now serving as the founding dean for the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, the first dental school in Arkansas.
Natalie Yule
Among the first graduates of Southern Virginia University’s design program, Natalie Yule (‘22) is now working as a production designer for the Kansas City Chiefs, the 2024 Super Bowl champions.
A Special Thank You From Advancement
With deep appreciation and gratitude, we are pleased to announce that fiscal year ‘25 was Southern Virginia University’s most successful fundraising year ever! Thank you to our entire SVU community—alumni, friends, and philanthropists—for your exceptional generosity and belief in our mission to bless the rising generation.
Our fundraising success last year is reflected in both the growth and engagement of our supportive community. We are thrilled to highlight four key milestones we achieved together:
• 40% Overall Donor Growth: The total number of donors giving to SVU increased by an incredible 40% over FY24. This expanded base represents the growing number of supporters investing in the University’s inspired mission.
• 48% Increase in Alumni Giving: The total number of SVU alumni who gave back to their alma mater increased by a significant 48% this fiscal year. Our Knights are stepping up to support the next generation of students.
• 130% Increase in Leadership Giving: Greater awareness and excitement about our mission inspired significant investment from mid-level donors (those contributing between $20K–$100K). In FY25, this group grew by a staggering 130%.
• $1 Million for Main Hall: We successfully raised $1 million specifically designated for our beloved Main Hall, demonstrating our collective commitment to preserve and enhance the crown jewel of our campus.
These milestones represent far more than monetary success—they represent an investment in the lives and futures of our incredible students. Every gift ensures that more scholarships are funded, our beautiful campus is vitally maintained, and more transformative opportunities are made available to our students, who are our purpose for everything.
Again, we express our sincere thanks to all who continue to invest in SVU as we strive together to help the rising generation fulfill their divine capacity. The future is bright!
See current giving priorities at svufieldofdreams.com
