SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
BY STUDY & BY FAITH
THE
STORY OF
Southern Virginia University
Southern Virginia University is a private, faith-based institution of higher education aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our mission is to gather faithful Latter-day Saints and those who share our values, lift them intellectually, socially, and spiritually, and launch them into successful lives and careers. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains near the southern end of Virginia’s picturesque Shenandoah Valley, the serenity of our campus setting is conducive to higher learning and higher standards.
Since its establishment in 1867, our school has operated continuously in several iterations, including Southern Seminary. During the summer of 1996, Founding Chairman Glade M. Knight and a team of associates renewed the university as a small liberal arts college for Latter-day Saints in the eastern United States. Beginning that fall semester with a pioneering group of faculty, staff, and 74 students, Southern Virginia University has grown to serve more than 1,000 students annually, supported by more than 200 professors and professionals.
The hallmark of Southern Virginia University is its educational model: small, collaborative classes taught by devoted faculty who prioritize student learning “by study and also by faith” (D&C 88:118). Outside the classroom, our Knights are among the most actively engaged students in the country, participating in extracurricular activities at ten times the national average, including NCAA Division III athletics, fine and performing arts, student leadership and government, academic honors societies, and service organizations. As a result, Southern Virginia University graduates boast outstanding placement rates in the world’s most elite graduate schools—especially business, law, and medical programs. Our alumni serve as leaders in companies, communities, and the Church.
Southern Virginia University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)—one of the oldest and most prestigious accrediting bodies in the country. We are certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) and recognized as an Apple Distinguished School for continuous innovation in learning, teaching, and the school environment. Our campus is also home to the first Young Single Adult (YSA) Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ outside the Wasatch Front and the largest daytime Institute of Religion in the East. Nearly 9-in-10 Knights are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and every student commits to a Code of Conduct based on the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and the Church’s 13th Article of Faith: “We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all.”
As Southern Virginia University enters a new chapter led by President Bonnie H. Cordon, we envision an exciting era defined by keeping Christ at the center of all that we do, increasing gathering and belonging, enhancing academic excellence, and building financial strength. We embrace the words shared on our campus by Elder Ronald A. Rasband:
“Much has happened at Southern Virginia University, and there is much, much more to come.”
Chairman Hugh Redd’s Charge to President Bonnie H. Cordon
“I charge you to center our university and its community on the Savior Jesus Christ.”
Southern Virginia University is a faith-based, private institution of higher learning. It is aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Though we are not legally affiliated with, nor are we governed by, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, our governing policies mandate that a supermajority of those who serve on the Board of Trustees be aligned with the Church and with its leadership. Having said that, we welcome students of all faiths who share our values and live by the Honor Code to come and learn here.
With this delicate balance in line of non-affiliation but alignment, we are honored and thankful that the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ has graciously assigned Elder Ronald A. Rasband of The Quorum of Twelve Apostles to participate in this momentous occasion by speaking to us.
Now, acting on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Southern Virginia University, I will now present President Cordon with a charge of direction for her presidential tenure. President Cordon, would you come stand here by me.
President Bonnie H. Cordon, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Southern Virginia University, I charge you to center our university and its community on the Savior Jesus Christ. This includes learning to love God and our neighbors as ourselves, living the Code of Conduct, and understanding our divine heritage and eternal value as children of Heavenly Parents, and being peacemakers here and throughout the world. Increase gathering and belonging one by one, remembering that the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God.
We expect you to cultivate an environment in which each Knight who studies in the university feels safe and empowered to progress intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Enhance educational excellence by teaching students to seek
learning, even by study and also by faith. Support faculty in the sacred act of teaching, support students in the sacred act of learning.
To both teachers and students, emphasize the pursuit of light and truth, wisdom and discernment, service and discipleship. Build this university on a sure foundation, strengthen it financially so that it may serve the rising generation and future generations. Continue to make this institution a shining beacon, a light on the hill, as it were, that points every person who encounters it throughout the world to the Savior Jesus Christ.
And now, by authority vested in me as the Chair of the Board of Trustees, it is my privilege and pleasure to confer upon you, Bonnie H. Cordon, the presidency of Southern Virginia University, with all the rights and responsibilities that pertain to that office. Congratulations, President Bonnie H. Cordon. ◆
INAUGURATION
President Bonnie H. Cordon’s Response
It is with deep humility and profound gratitude that I stand before you today, and I’m honored to be installed as the 10th President of Southern Virginia University. As I look out among all of you, how much I love you, and am so grateful to be among dear friends and dear Knights. What a privilege it is to join hands with all of you who love and serve this sacred institution. We embark on a new chapter together.
Elder and Sister Rasband, thank you. Thank you for joining us today, you are treasured friends. It has been a privilege to sit in councils with Elder Rasband and witness firsthand his extraordinary ability to see around corners, to ask pertinent questions. We love and sustain you in your most sacred call as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Chairman Redd, I offer my heartfelt thank you. Your leadership has been a guiding light to all of us. To you and all of our trustees, you have poured your heart, your soul, and your resources into the lives of every student who walks the hall of this university, and we want to say thank you, a profound thank you.
As we look at our 29 years of existence, I marvel at the legacy that has been built here, the importance of what has been so carefully and lovingly crafted by the many who have come before us. We owe a debt of gratitude to everyone who helped lay the foundation upon which we now stand. I am deeply aware of the remarkable leadership that has shaped this university, including the steadfast example of President Emeritus Reed N. Wilcox and Interim President Eric L. Denna. They are great friends, and they continue to help this university in so many ways. Thank you.
They, along with so many others, have been thinkers, innovators, and believers whose faith and vision has built Southern Virginia University into the beacon of light it is today. To all who are part of the university, I am in awe to all of you at your tireless dedication. You’re helping students
become confident seekers of truth. And I wish I could name every single one of you, because your contributions are so deeply personal. I am so grateful. The combination of study and of faith is a hallmark of our university.
Now, to my dear friends and family who traveled from so far away and from different places in this great nation, thank you for coming. I know it’s easier to get to Paris than it is to Buena Vista, but thank you for linking arms with us and investing in the lives of these young people. We are investing far more than buildings or programs. We are investing in the growth of disciples of Christ, in cultivation of leaders who will go forth and bless this world.
Now to our dear students, we believe in you. Your goodness is why this university shines so bright. Thank you for being Knights who will change the world for good.
Today, we gather not just to inaugurate a new president, but to reaffirm the divine mission that has guided Southern Virginia University since its founding to provide an education that is both spiritually enriching and intellectually rigorous, founded on the principles of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. At the heart of our institution is a simple but profound truth: Christ is at the center of all we do. As a faith-based institution, we are committed to providing an education that not only strengthens the mind, but also nurtures the spirit. We believe in the scriptures when they teach, “The glory of God is intelligence,” 1 and thus we seek both spiritual and academic excellence in all of our endeavors. So on this occasion, I would like to share three core beliefs that I hold dear, beliefs that have guided my heart and my soul in this sacred work.
One, I believe in the rising generation, I believe in the power of education, and above all, I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2018, President Russell M. Nelson, Prophet of The Church
“Our mission is not merely academic, it is eternal.”
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to the youth, and he tenderly said to them, “My beloved younger Brothers and Sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation.” Now that was a profound promise. Notice he didn’t say that they are smarter or they are wiser or that they will have more impact on the world. But he did say they have the capacity to become so. Our responsibility at Southern Virginia University is to nurture this capacity and unlock that potential.
The Lord has always placed great trust in the rising generation. Now just think with me. You think of David, the young boy David, who had the faith and courage to face Goliath. Joseph Smith, called as a prophet at a tender age to restore The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Mary, a humble handmaiden chosen to bear the Son of God. And even our nation’s founders were relatively young. They were filled with vision and determination to create something lasting. Our students are no exception. The Lord has placed them on the earth at this time to bless the world for good and help accomplish His work.
Isaiah spoke of God’s people as trees, trees of righteousness, the plantings of the Lord. Now this image became particularly meaningful during a visit to the great sequoias of Yosemite National Park. These towering, giant trees whose roots do not run deep, instead, they rely on an intricate network of roots that bind together across the forest floor, providing strength and stability with their unity. When the wind blows and the storms rage, it is their shared root system that allows them to stand tall, each tree protecting and upholding its neighbor. This is the kind of community we strive to build here, one rooted in shared values, mutual support, and love. We want every student, faculty member, and visitor to feel they belong. Welcome home. As we strengthen the bonds
of love and unity, we will not only create a more nutrientenriching campus environment, but also prepare ourselves to go out into the world as peacemakers, bridge builders, and servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is our vision for Southern Virginia University.
I believe in the transformative power of education, not merely as a means of knowledge, but as a divine pursuit that brings forth light and truth, shaping hearts and minds for eternal purpose and progression. As I reflect on the importance of education, I cannot help but think of my own mother, a woman of incredible wisdom. Growing up in her home, learning was not just encouraged, it was a constant presence. Her belief in the transformative power of education has always been a guiding light in my life. Now, even now at 88 years old, my mother continues to participate in a creative writing group. She sits alongside others, learning and growing and courageously refining her own abilities to write. She’s a powerful example of a lifelong pursuit of knowledge. Watching her reminds me that education is not just about expanding your mind, but is also about enriching your heart.
It is no wonder the Lord who loves his children cares deeply that they’re educated in things that matter most. Academic excellence is an essential part of discipleship. The Lord’s command is clear to us. He says, “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” 2 At Southern Virginia University, I see this command being fulfilled. You see it in the curriculum, rooted in the best books. You see it in our students who are seeking not just knowledge, but also wisdom. You see it in the dedicated faculty who teach with diligence, by study and by faith, shaping young minds for righteous purposes. Every class, every interaction, every experience on this campus, is designed to bring forth light. Not just knowledge, but to prepare our students to be beacons of light in a darkening world that desperately needs them. I believe in Jesus Christ.
Let me share with you a moment that deeply touched me, a moment that unfolded on a soccer field, but resonates far beyond the game. It was an ordinary match on another
campus until one of the student athletes suffered a serious leg injury. There, she lay in terrible pain while the trainers rushed to her aid. But in that moment of distress, this remarkable athlete, this young woman, did something that left an impression on everyone present. She asked for a priesthood blessing. In a situation when most would be overwhelmed with pain and fear, she exercised faith and reached for the Savior.
Her simple, profound act of faith didn’t stop there. As her team gathered around her, they too sought the strength that only the Lord can give. They prayed together, uniting their faith in Christ. And then something even more extraordinary happened. The opposing team from a non-religious institution noticed the act of devotion, and they joined in prayer. Can you picture the scene? Two teams, just moments earlier adversaries on the field, and now they were united in prayer, calling upon the power of Heaven, and all because one young woman, in the moment of greatest need, had the courage to look heavenward. This single act of faith sparked something powerful. It reached across teams, across belief systems, and created a moment of true unity. And isn’t that the essence of what we’re striving for here? To not only live our faith, but also to inspire others to draw close to the Savior by our example.
Now, I know this is an extraordinary story, but let me tell you, it is not an isolated one. This kind of faith is alive and well on campus every day. It happens when athletes gather to pray before every game. It happens when our artists quietly seek divine inspiration before stepping on the stage. It happens in the classrooms where professors openly share their testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ. It happens when students gather for class at the Institute. It happens in quiet moments when students kneel in a dorm room seeking comfort, guidance, or a simple reminder of God’s love for them. And yes, I suspect that faith burns especially bright when they’re praying for that big biology test or to face that uncertainty on the blind date.
My dear friends, this is the kind of faith, faith in the Savior Jesus Christ, that will carry us forward, both as individuals and as a university. Christ himself declared, “I am the light
and the life of the world.” 3 As we embark in this new chapter, let us remember that we are engaged in a holy work. Our mission is not merely academic, it is eternal. The work we do here will have lasting consequences, not just for us, but for generations to come.
May the Lord continue to bless Southern Virginia University in its sacred endeavor. And I leave you my love and my great gratitude for all that you do, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◆
1 Doctrine and Covenants 93:36
2 Doctrine & Covenants 88:118
3 3 Nephi 11:11
INAUGURATION
Elder Ronald A. Rasband’s Remarks
Dear friends, I’m so pleased to be here with you today, joined by my dear wife, Melanie. We’re happy to be here on the occasion of the inauguration of Bonnie Cordon, 10th president of Southern Virginia University. I’d like to recognize and thank your board chairman, Hugh Redd, and the university’s trustees, administrators, faculty, alumni, guests, fellow church leaders, institute staff, and especially all of you exceptional students that are here with us today. I especially want to recognize our friends, Glade and Kathleen Knight, who decades ago had the vision for this magnificent institution in this very place. The Lord once said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” 1 Thank you for preserving this vision.
Reed, I’m happy to see you here, our longest tenured president of the University. I was pleased to be here for President Wilcox’s inauguration, and to be invited back is some signal of some sort, I’m not sure. Thank you, Bonnie, for the invitation.
And yes, this is an assignment for me to be here. I bring the love of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and I’m grateful for the assignment to come and represent the Lord’s church here on this beautiful day. I’m greatly honored to be asked to speak at the event, because President Cordon and I are friends. This inauguration sets in motion a whole new season in her life, Derek, and the family who are here, and for all of you now.
Bonnie, listen to this. I paused and thought long about including this little statement, but I mean it. I believe you were brought to this position by divine design. The Lord knows what you can do here, and so do I.
Leaders like President Cordon are needed as higher education continues to pursue academic excellence, while also grounding that excellence in a moral fabric of truth that is so desperately needed by students and society. She will lead this university effectively and righteously as an example to other universities and presidents.
President Cordon and I worked together in church administration for seven years when she served as a general officer of the Church, five of those as president of the young women, and she knows and understands this generation, perhaps like no other. She sat on executive boards making decisions for
work done by the Lord’s Church around the world. She traveled from continent to continent, from people to people, congregation to congregation, and yet she never lost sight of the importance of the one that we’ve spoken about here today. That one is all of you. I admire her immensely for that personal touch. Some members of Melanie’s and my own family have been included in that ministry of Bonnie Cordon.
I watched President Cordon break new ground in establishing church programs and curriculum across and addressing difficult issues, and yet show respect and encouragement for those with whom she served and may not have always perfectly agreed with. She comes with experience from running her own business and deep respect and understanding for higher education, having served on the Board of Education for The Church of Latter-day Saints. As you already know, she’s a gifted speaker, as we just witnessed, a willing learner that never ends, and an able administrator. Now, as President Cordon guides this university and institution, you will see her draw upon her deep faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the third of her most important points, and the most important point, may I say. Her understanding of the Lord is powered by personal revelation and inspiration and by the home she grew up in. I’ve heard her pray. I know her heart. It’s a good heart, and she will lead you with heart, might, mind, and soul.
At SVU, you have added benefit of an Institute right across the street. This too is key to your experience on this campus. This Institute has the distinction of being the largest Institute of Religion on the East Coast. Spend time there with teachers who are grounded in the gospel. Get to know your fellow students in an institute kind of way, and know that on that institute and here on this campus, I agree you’re standing on holy ground. I met Sister Rasband while we were at the University of Utah Institute.
Draw upon your spiritual nourishment with your fellow students and leaders and enjoy the scholarship of academics and of the spirit here at this beautiful place. This campus, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is idyllic for a university. It is so beautiful. So much of the world is facing turmoil, corruption, anger, and discouragement, but not
I believe you were brought to this position by divine design. The Lord knows what you can do here, and so do I.
here. Here you focus on intellect, character, and spirituality, and an abundance of peace and promise. Here in this teaching-first university, you build a base and develop key skills in classes that are enviously small, enviously small. I have been told a ratio of 15 or 17 students per professor. How great is that?
Here, your integrity and character are shaped. Your mind is stretched as you are introduced to new academic disciplines. Here, the Savior is welcome, and his teachings are exemplified in your Code of Conduct. Congratulations, and thank you for living it. Here in this quiet little retreat from the world, you will further your commitment to becoming disciples of Jesus Christ and His gospel.
It was so, in a similar rural setting in Kirtland, Ohio, when Joseph Smith in 1832 established a school himself, calling it The School of the Prophets. The name has often been used at such schools as Harvard and Yale to describe seminaries focused on religious training. I like to believe that I have the privilege of learning weekly in The School of the Prophets. In Kirkland, the class day began at dawn and concluded about four in the afternoon. The curriculum included, believe it or not, math, grammar, economy, astronomy, Greek and Hebrew, as well as what Joseph called, quote, “progress in the knowledge of God,” end quote. The Prophet Joseph encouraged those attending to faithfulness and diligence in keeping the commandments of God with a promise that the pure in heart should see the Lord in a heavenly vision. They were not disappointed.
John Murdock has recorded, quote, “the prophet told us, if we could humble ourselves before God and exercise strong faith, we should see the face of the Lord. At about midday, the visions of my mind were opened in the eyes of my understanding were enlightened.” I love that little phrase, “the visions of my mind were opened and the eyes
of my understanding were enlightened.” “And I saw the form of a man, most lovely, the visage of his face was sound and fair as the sun. His hair a bright silver gray, curled in most majestic form, his eyes a keen, penetrating blue, and the skin of his neck a most beautiful white. And he was covered from the neck to the feet with a loose garment, pure white, whiter than any garment I had ever seen before. His countenance was most penetrating and yet most loving. It left on my mind the impression of love for months that I never felt before and never again to that degree,” end quote.
Zebedee Coltrane recounted of his experience on that day, quote, “while engaged in silent prayer, kneeling, each one praying in silence, a personage walked through the room from east to west, and Joseph asked if we saw Him. I did see him, and suppose the others did, and Joseph answered, that is Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our elder brother. Afterward, Joseph told us to resume our former position in prayer, which we all did. Another person came through our room. He was surrounded as with a flame of fire. I experienced a sensation that might destroy my tabernacle, as it was a consuming fire of great brightness. The Prophet Joseph said that this was the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I saw Him,” end quote. In that obscure school room on the second floor of the Whitney Grocery Store, miracles resounded, described with simple words, “I saw Him.”
These experiences are nothing short of extra special miraculous. But that is the essence of a Christ-centered education, I suggest to you. Their curriculum was as we read in latter-day scriptures, of things “both in heaven and in the earth, things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass, things which are at home, things which are abroad.”2 In essence, they were to learn all they could about everything they could. Why? The Lord put it this way in revelation, “that ye may be prepared in all
things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling where unto I have called you.” 3
You are here, my friends, to learn everything you can about everything you can. That way you will be ready to fulfill what the Lord has planned for each of you in your earthly journey. This university allows you to place gospel principles in the center of your desire to understand, discover, and learn. Recognize that as an eternal blessing. You do not face the whirlwinds that drag on college students and campuses, around America in particular, trying desperately to find their way. You know the way, because it’s the Lord’s way. Your covenants are at the very center of your way, right here and right now.
Dear centurion Prophet Russell M. Nelson has said, “the reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power, power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations and heartaches better. That power eases our way,” end quote. Friends, rejoice in the ways of God. Draw upon them, reverence them, find joy in righteousness, in the study of the scriptures, along with your study of chemistry and two-a-day practices. Find joy in friendships and in caring for each other. How fitting that your university, your anthem, is Love One Another.
Always remember the words of Jesus Christ, “Ye are my friends.” 4 He is the most prized friend any of us will ever have. It was the Savior who taught, “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” 5 It was the Savior who beckoned us, come unto me in friendship. As in every other principle of the gospel, Jesus Christ is our exemplar. You probably will not see heavenly blessings strolling through your classrooms, but you will, I underline, you will feel the Holy Ghost confirming truth. Do not be casual about that feeling. That is very much a miracle. Whether it is in history or biology, statistics or across the street in Institute, the Lord will confirm to you things as they really are and really will be. Someday, your spiritual experiences, like those I have shared from John and Zebedee, will encourage others to see farther, to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, and to continue like you to be instruments in the Lord’s hands.
You have put yourself in a setting to be influenced by believers of Christ, His Atonement in his doctrine. The next step for you is to be fully, 100% committed, in His service. The Lord needs you to step up, as did the early Saints in the beginning of our dispensation, and be the next generation of courage and steadfast leadership. We need your educated minds to serve far and wide in the Church. We need your faith in Jesus Christ and your belief in the power of love to lift others. We need your desire to live the gospel with devotion, to replace fear and worry with hope. We need your willingness to raise families by gospel principles and to help others know the value to do the same. We need you to hold up the arms of our leaders and your leaders, including our prophet in his senior years. Shoulder your responsibilities to the Lord Jesus Christ and be worthy of the precious privilege, and He will lift your burdens, I promise.
As an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, I bless you to rise up and be strong in your commitment to this church. I bless you in your prayers that you might feel the Lord’s tenderness towards you and His faith in you. I bless you to be yoked to the Savior, His purposes, and His power. I bless you to find and feel joy and peace every day. Most of all, I bless you to rejoice in your knowledge that Jesus Christ is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace. He knows you, He knows your names, and He knows your needs. Turn to Him and He will encircle you in the arms of His love. I so declare and witness in love and affection for all of you, and say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◆
1 Proverbs 29:18
2 Doctrine and Covenants 88:79
3 Doctrine and Covenants 88:80
4 John 15:14
5 John 15:13
Facts & Figures
9-in-10 Students are Latter-day Saints 350+ Knights Currently Serving Missions
99.5% Admittance Rate
…and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him … — 2 Nephi 26:33
3.48 Average GPA of Incoming Students
Southern Virginia University measures its success by the value added to each student. We admit high-performing students, those who need extra support, and everyone in between—for astonishing results.
15 Average Class Size
88% of Students are Involved in an Extracurricular
27 Athletics Teams; 8 Conference Championships
7 Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles
4 Annual Theatrical Performances
93% Freshman-to-Senior Improvement
50% Student-Athletes
21% Performing Artists
17% Clubs & Associations
90% Graduate School Placement in Professional Schools (Law, Medicine, Business)
198 Graduates in the Class of 2023
Our largest graduating class to date!
2023–24
Notable Speakers
Elder Vaiangina Sikahema Speaks at Commencement
General Authority Seventy Elder Sikahema encouraged the Class of 2024 to keep the gospel as a focus in their lives and to rely on the Lord for strength as they grow in their divine potential spiritually, physically, and academically.
Executive Editor of Church News Sarah Jane Weaver’ Shares Her Testimony
The campus community gathered for a devotional to hear from Sarah Jane Weaver, the executive editor of the Church News for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as she spoke on the miracles of letting God prevail in our lives.
Elder Robert. L. Millet Shares How to Recognize Personal Conversion to Jesus Christ
On April 12, Elder Robert L. Millet, a senior missionary instructor at the Southern Virginia Institute of Religion and professor emeritus of ancient scripture at Brigham Young University, spoke to the campus community on the importance of recognizing personal conversion to Jesus Christ.
Shaping Our Lives Through Choices with Church Historian Brittany Chapman Nash Draft
Highlighting the lives of Latter-day Saint women in history, Brittany Chapman Nash, a Latter-day Saint women’s history specialist and Church historian, shared how decisions made regarding truth, companions, time, and character can have lasting impacts on one’s life.
Social Studies Expert David Blankenhorn Speaks at Honors Forum
David Blankenhorn, founder and president of Institute for American Values and co-founder of Braver Angels, a grassroots organization that addresses political polarization, spoke on the importance of being a peacemaker in civic discourse.
Understanding Race and the Priesthood with Historian Dr. W. Paul Reeve
Dr. W. Paul Reeve, Simmons Chair of Mormon Studies at the University of Utah, shared his research and insights on the history of race and the priesthood during the early years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2023–24
News & Highlights
Inaugural Founder’s Day Forum Celebrates Glade Knight
Wearing crimson and white, the campus community gathered on March 8 for the inaugural Founder’s Day Forum to celebrate founder Glade Knight and the continued growth and impact of the university on students’ lives.
Inside Men’s Volleyball’s Undefeated Success and Record-breaking Year
Undefeated and ranked number one in the nation by AVCA/NVA Division III, the Southern Virginia University men’s volleyball team shattered program records as they battled their way through the 2023-24 season.
Teacher Education Program Recognized for National Excellence
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) recently announced the accreditation renewal for the Rockbridge Teachers Education Consortium (RTEC), a partnership between Southern Virginia University and Washington and Lee University.
Students and Faculty Attend Braver Angels Convention
For the weekend of June 27–29, twelve students and professors 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.
Recognized as a Phi Kappa Phi Circle of Excellence Platinum Chapter
Phi Kappa Phi has recognized Southern Virginia University’s chapter of Phi Kappa Phi as a Circle of Excellence Platinum Chapter, the highest commendation a chapter can receive from the organization, for the fourth time since the distinction was created in 2018.
Chamber Singers Perform in Holy Week Celebration at the Washington D.C. Temple
On Easter Sunday, March 31, the Southern Virginia University Chamber Singers performed selections of sacred music as the final ensemble in the first Holy Week Easter Celebration held at the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center.
First Design Graduate Secures Position at Multinational Design Agency
Aly Day (‘22), one of the first graduates in the university’s new Design major, has joined Oliver Agency, a multinational design agency, as a junior graphic designer and credits her design classes and professor in helping develop her skills, experience, and confidence as a designer.
Alum Appointed Superior Court Judge for North Carolina 6th District
Ricardo Jensen (‘10) was recently appointed as Superior Court Judge in North Carolina for the 6th District of New Hanover/Pender counties to fill the remainder of the judicial term of the previous judge, Phyllis Gorham.
Dear Friends of Southern Virginia University,
As we reflect on the past year at Southern Virginia University, my heart is filled with immense gratitude for the incredible generosity and unwavering support of friends like you. Your belief in our mission and dedication to our students have made a meaningful and lasting impact. It is an honor and privilege to serve as the 10th President of Southern Virginia University. This past year has been nothing short of remarkable. Together, we are strengthening the foundation of our beloved university and empowering our students to center their lives on Jesus Christ as they pursue knowledge “by study and by faith” (D&C 88:118).
Looking ahead, I am filled with optimism and faith for the future of Southern Virginia University. As our beloved prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, recently said,
“The best is yet to come as we fully turn our hearts and our lives to Jesus Christ.” President Russell M. Nelson, “The Lord Jesus Christ Will Come Again,” Oct. 2024 General Conference
Your continued support of Southern Virginia University enables us to provide transformative experiences that prepare students to lead throughout their lives as disciples of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your continued belief in the bright future of Southern Virginia University. I look forward to the year ahead, which will be full of opportunities to uplift and inspire the rising generation.
With deep appreciation,
President Bonnie H. Cordon Southern Virginia University
SOUTHERN
Main Hall Preservation Fund
Southern Virginia University is pleased to introduce the establishment of the Main Hall Preservation Fund — a new advancement fund dedicated to repairing and preserving the iconic, historic, and beloved building at the heart of our campus.
Main Hall means so much to every member of our campus community. It’s been our home away from home, our beacon of hope, and our sacred space. We invite all to keep the Light on a Hill burning brightly for generations to come!
SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY
University Leaders
Board Executive Committee
Hugh Redd, Chairman
Bonnie Cordon, President
Ann Christensen, Vice Chair & Membership Committee Chair
Mark Fuchs, Finance Committee Chair
John Wheatley, Advancement Committee Chair
Trustees
Lewis L. “Lee” Bird
David Brady
Aaron Elton
Bill Guttery
Debra Huber
Anne Marie Johnson
Wendy Kimber
Nelson Knight
Scott McKeon
Paul Moffett
Greg Scott
Scott Watterson
Glenn Way
Jim Skeen, Corporate Secretary
President’s Council
Bonnie H. Cordon, President
Kristie Gibbons, Executive Assistant to the President
Tyson Cooper, VP of Finance & Operations
Deidra Dryden, VP of Advancement
James Lambert, Provost
Bryce Pendleton, VP of Brand & Technology
Chris Pendleton, VP of Marketing & Strategy
Carrie Brotherson, VP of Student Life
Jon Wallin, Chief of Staff
Academic Affairs Council
James Lambert, Provost
Jamie Chandler, Assistant to the Provost
Sarah Maitland, Associate Provost
Sam Hirt, Associate Provost; Chair
Whitney Larsen, Registrar
Dallin Lewis, Director of the Core
Todd Brotherson, Chair, Division of Business and Education
Jeremy John, Chair, Division of Social Sciences
Jan-Erik Jones, Chair, Division of Humanities
Jared Lee, Chair, Division of Math and Natural Sciences
Megan Mason, Chair, Division of Fine & Performing Arts
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University Hill Dr. Buena Vista, VA 24416