2024

News Release

Mary Jolley, Jon Clawson, and Karliee Park Join Southern Virginia University as Instructors of Writing, Music, and Art

Oct. 31, 2024 — Southern Virginia University is pleased to welcome Mary Jolley (‘10) as instructor of writing, Jon Clawson (‘21) as visiting instructor of music, and Karilee Park as visiting instructor of art.

Speeches

Once a Knight, Always a Knight: Alumni Share Stories at Homecoming Forum

Oct. 30, 2024 — To kick off Homecoming weekend, the campus community and visiting alumni gathered in the Knight Arena to hear alumni Paul Montagna (‘12) and Reese Reynolds (‘00) speak on how the support they found at Southern Virginia University prepared them for success in their life and careers. 

News Release

New Faculty David Dwyer, David Rawlins, and Dallyn Vail Bayles Join Southern Virginia University

Oct. 24, 2024 — Southern Virginia University is pleased to welcome David Dwyer as associate professor of theater, David Rawlins as associate professor of chemistry, and Dallyn Vail Bayles as assistant professor of theater.

Spotlight

Finding Academic and Spiritual Growth in the Blue Ridge Mountains

Oct. 22, 2024 — Avery Prout (‘26) has always loved living in the mountains, having previously lived in Michigan and Utah. Now, she has found another home in the Blue Ridge Mountains and at Southern Virginia University, where her relationships on campus have helped her thrive academically and spiritually.

Spotlight

Uplifted at Every Turn: Maxym Sutton Reflects on His Student-Athlete Experience

Oct. 17, 2024 — Since coming to Southern Virginia University at 17, Maxym Sutton’s student experience has been full of unexpected moments. Now preparing to complete his undergraduate degree in biochemistry in May 2025, Sutton can sum up his Knight experience in one word: Uplifting.

Speeches

Crafting a Masterpiece: Weaving the Threads of Life and Faith Together 

Oct. 15, 2024 — On Friday, 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. 

News Release

Celebrating Love and Affection in Theatre’s First Musical Revue, “Love, Broadway”

Oct. 11, 2024 — To kick off the new academic year, the Southern Virginia University Theatre program performed “Love, Broadway,” the program’s first musical revue featuring beloved Broadway love songs, on Sept. 27–28 in the Performing Arts Center.

Spotlight

Southern Virginia University’s First Dental Student Named Founding Dean of Arkansas’ First Dental School

Oct. 7, 2024 — When Burke Soffe first came to Southern Virginia University, he did not anticipate that he would become the university's first student to be accepted into dental school after completing his undergraduate in 2004. Now, twenty years later, he is serving as the founding dean for the Lyon College School of Dental Medicine, the first dental school in Arkansas.

Speeches

The Unexpected Relationship of Discipleship and Entrepreneurship with CEO Jordan Wright

Oct. 2, 2024 — On Friday, Sept. 27, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear from Jordan Wright, CEO and co-founder of the fintech company Atomic, as he spoke on the challenges of entrepreneurship and the power, support, and similarities of the gospel in starting businesses.

News Release

Jon Wallin Named Chief of Staff

Oct. 1, 2024 — Buena Vista, Va. — President Bonnie H. Cordon has named Jon Wallin as Southern Virginia University’s chief of staff. In this role, Wallin will support President Cordon, the Office of the President, and the President’s Council, while continuing to serve as the executive secretary to the Board of Trustees and the university’s institutional accreditation liaison with SACSCOC.

News Release

Bryce Pendleton Named VP of Brand & Technology

Sept. 30, 2024 — Buena Vista, Va. — President Bonnie H. Cordon has named Interim Director of Information Technology Services Bryce Pendleton the vice president of brand and technology at Southern Virginia University. In this role, Pendleton will work in collaboration with various offices of the university to address technology needs and maintain stewardship for all university branding.

Speeches

The Unifying Power of the Constitution and the Restored Gospel

Sept. 25, 2024 — On Friday, Sept. 20, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena for a Constitution Day forum with Alvin Jackson, a former Utah state senator, where he spoke on the divine need of the U.S. Constitution for the restoration of the gospel.