2025

Feature Story

Discovering and Combining Counseling, Spirituality, and Teaching into a Career

Feb. 20, 2025 — After graduating from Southern Virginia University with a degree in business, Kenson Hiatt (‘12) started his career as an insurance agent. Soon realizing he had little passion for it, Hiatt prayed for direction and received an answer to switch to marriage and family therapy when he saw a family walking into a temple.

Speeches

Finding Confidence in a Christ-Centered Identity with CEO Amy Antonelli

Feb. 20, 2025 — On Feb. 14, the Southern Virginia University campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Amy Antonelli, CEO of Humanitarian HXP—an independent nonprofit that operates humanitarian expeditions for youth—speak on finding confidence in an identity developed in Christ. 

Spotlight

Student and Alumnus Selected as Fulbright Semi-Finalists

Feb. 12, 2025 — Melia Luker (‘25) and Jacob Adams (‘23) have been selected as semi-finalists for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program, recommending them by the US National Screening Committee to a host country of their choice.

Speeches

Creating a Life of Abundance Through the Gospel with Kevin and Sydnee Calderwood

Feb. 6, 2025 — On Jan. 31, the campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to hear Kevin and Sydnee Calderwood, the recently released President and Relief Society President of the Provo Missionary Training Center, speak on how centering your life on Christ creates an abundant one.

Spotlight

Lauren Threet’s Life of Service and Understanding

Feb. 5, 2025 — Humanitarian worker and returned missionary Lauren Threet (’26) spends her life helping others and living to be kinder every day. Determined to dedicate her life to service, Threet looks for opportunities to lift and connect with others in everything she does.

News Release

Main Hall Preservation Fund: $1 Million Raised for Main Hall

Jan. 31, 2025 — 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.

Spotlight

Becoming a Knight: Jeyson Taylor Seneli’s Story

Jan. 30, 2025 — Deciding where to go for college can be a difficult decision, as students look for a place that provides the academic and personal growth they want. A native of Iowa, Taylor Seneil (‘28) recently went through this process of finding a school that fit his goals when a family member introduced him to Southern Virginia University.

Speeches

From Kitchen Table to Leprosy-Affected Indian Colonies—Founder Becky Douglas Shares the Impact of Rising Star Outreach 

Jan. 30, 2025 — On Jan. 24, the Southern Virginia campus community gathered in the Knight Arena to listen to humanitarian Becky Douglas, founder of the non-profit Rising Star Outreach, tell the story of her foundation’s humanitarian work and service for India’s leprosy-affected members.

News Release

MaKenzie Cox Named Executive Director of Strategic Enrollment

Jan. 28, 2025 — Buena Vista, Va. — Southern Virginia University President Bonnie H. Cordon has named MaKenzie Cox (‘15) as executive director of strategic enrollment. In her new role, Cox will continue to oversee admissions while assuming management responsibility for financial aid, ensuring a more seamless and supportive enrollment journey for students.

Speeches

All Things are Possible with God; A Welcome Back Forum with the Cordons

Jan. 22, 2025 — To celebrate a new year and new semester, the Southern Virginia campus community gathered in the Knight Area on Jan. 17 for a Welcome Back forum with President Bonnie H. Cordon and Derek Cordon, who spoke on how relying on God is the key to finding success.

Spotlight

Alumnus Ben Burningham Appointed Wyoming’s First Chancery Court Judge

Jan. 22, 2025 — Ben Burningham (‘09) has been 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.

Spotlight

Alumnus Trager Hintze (‘13) Joins Faculty at Alice L. Walton School of Medicine 

Jan. 14, 2025 — Southern Virginia University alumnus Trager Hintze (‘13) is joining the ranks of faculty at the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine as an assistant professor of pharmacology, pursuing his dream to train the next generation of medical students to safely and effectively use medication.