Alumni Association Q3 2023 Report

Southern Virginia University

Alumni Association Q3 2023 Quarterly Report

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Welcome, President Cordon!

The Southern Virginia University Alumni Association welcomes President Bonnie Cordon as the tenth university president!

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Presidential Search Process Alumni Association President Scott McKeon (‘01) represented the voice of alumni throughout the presidential search process while serving on the board-appointed presidential search committee.

After narrowing down the impressive pool of over 40 candidates through a series of preliminary interviews, the search committee invited top candidates to visit campus and interact with current students, faculty, and staff.

Following the campus visits, the Southern Virginia University Board of Trustees unanimously voted to install Bonnie Cordon as President of Southern Virginia University.

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2023 Homecoming & Alumni Weekend Preparations for 2023 Homecoming & Alumni Weekend on Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28 are well underway. There is an exciting slate of activities planned for alumni and their families to enjoy!

A highlight of the weekend will include a special Alumni and Honors lecture by beloved emeritus faculty Dr. Fran MacDonnell entitled, “Policing Show Business: J. Edgar Hoover and the Hollywood Blacklist.”

The full schedule of events can be found at svu.edu/homecoming.

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Utah Regional Homecoming Gathering The Alumni Association Gather Committee chaired by Vice President Jessica Rassmussen (‘17) and Treasurer Brigham Doxy (‘17) explore ways to invite alumni to participate with the Alumni Association and facilitate ways to feel united and gather together as Knight alumni.

On Saturday, Oct.14, alums Josh and Cindy Hall opened their home for a regional gathering for alumni in the Utah valley area.

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Alumni Spotlight

Makenna Whiting (‘13) Art major Makenna Whiting (‘13) is the founder and owner of the process art Splash of Color Studio. While many of the classes, camps, and events are focused on children’s art, the studio also serves teens and adults exploring a variety of mediums.

All classes and workshops are based on the principles of process art which places emphasis on the creative process rather than the finished product. Makenna currently lives in Buena Vista and was ecstatic to return in 2021 along with her husband Cody and three children after hoping to find her way back to Virginia for several years.

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1. washingtonpost.com/education/2022/10/20/college-enrollment-declines-since-pandemic/ 2. bestcolleges.com/research/closed-colleges-list-statistics-major-closures/

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Alumni Spotlight

Aly Day (‘22) Aly Day (‘22), a pioneering student in the university’s new design major, is a junior graphic designer for the multinational design agency Oliver Agency and has worked on projects for well-known brands such as Washington Spirit and Enfamil. Aly and her husband Ty Day (‘22) recently returned to Buena Vista after living in Atlanta where she enjoys working for Oliver Agency remotely and staying connected with the Southern Virginia University community.

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1. washingtonpost.com/education/2022/10/20/college-enrollment-declines-since-pandemic/ 2. bestcolleges.com/research/closed-colleges-list-statistics-major-closures/

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Alumni Spotlight

Jacob Taloa (‘23) Jacob Taloa (‘23) graduated with a 4.0 from SVU, where he majored in biochemistry and minored in psychology. He is currently working as a research associate in the Summers/Holland Investigational Lab in the University of Utah molecular medicine program. On his way to pursuing a medical degree, Jacob’s work in the lab involves studying the genetic variant in the Samoan and Tongan population which makes them susceptible to diabetes. Jacob and his wife Nildy, who also attended Southern Virginia University, currently live in Utah with their two daughters.

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Upcoming Dates October 27–28: Alumni Weekend/Homecoming Nov 28: Giving Tuesday Dec 15: Last day of Fall Semester

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We Love Visitors!

If you will be on campus at any time, let us know at: alumni@svu.edu 540-261-8444 We would love to see you!