2025

Feature Story

Ben Gaughran, Brady Hanson, and Donnie Tapp Join Southern Virginia University as Assistant Professors

July 25, 2025 — Southern Virginia University is pleased to welcome Ben Gaughran as assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, Brady Hanson as assistant professor of biology, and Donnie Tapp as assistant professor of art.

Feature Story

Becoming a Full-time Artist: Allison Walker (‘13) and the Pillars She Developed at SVU 

July 25, 2025 — Ignited at Southern Virginia University, Allison Walker Gaughan’s (‘13) artistic career has led her from studying at Scotland’s University of St. Andrew’s and working at national museums, to recently making the leap to open her own studio in New York. 

News Release

SVU’s Sport Performance Major Receives Standing Ovation at Nike New York Headquarters

July 24, 2025 — On June 25, Professor of Philosophy John Armstrong traveled to Nike’s New York City headquarters for the first meeting of the Sports Major Collective. Armstrong presented Southern Virginia University’s new Sport Performance major, the first of its kind in the country, to an audience of nearly 150 college professors, administrators, coaches, and athletes. 

News Release

Samuel Hirt Named Interim Provost, Additional Changes Announced Within Provost’s Office

July 9, 2025 — President Bonnie H. Cordon has named Associate Provost Samuel Hirt as Southern Virginia University’s interim provost. Hirt succeeds Dr. James Lambert, who served as the chief academic officer and provost since 2021. Several leadership changes within the Office of the Provost have also been announced.

Spotlight

Going Overseas–Henry Pullan (’26) Prepares for Diplomatic Internship to Belgium for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

July 8, 2025 — This September, Henry Pullan (‘26) will gain valuable career experience as he travels to Brussels, Belgium as a European Union & Diplomatic Outreach Intern for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

News Release

Environmental Studies Major to be Offered Beginning Fall 2025

June 27, 2025 — President Bonnie H. Cordon and the President’s Council are pleased to announce that Southern Virginia University will offer a bachelor’s degree program in environmental studies in the Fall 2025 semester, along with a minor and a concentration.

News Release

Successful Spring Giving Campaign Raises Over $1 Million for Scholarships

June 27, 2025 — 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.

Spotlight

270 Pyramids, 10 Hours: Professor Barbara Crawford Leads Landmark Red Rocks Amphitheatre Installation

June 26, 2025 — After two years of preparation, Professor of Art Barbara Crawford completed her largest art installation yet at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado on April 7—the theatre’s first installation—with some of the local staff and a group of Southern Virginia University students, professors, and alumni.

Spotlight

Launching Towards a Career in Sports Management 

June 25, 2025 — Tate Rusick (‘25) is using his college education, the support of his professors, and his experience as the first director of football video and technology at Southern Virginia University to prepare him to turn his love of sports into a career.

Spotlight

From University Motto to Life Motto: Taking “Learn that Life is Service” to Heart

June 25, 2025 — 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, impacting him and his wife not only during their time as students but years later as he has served around the world in the U.S. Army.

Spotlight

Finding & Creating a Home at Southern Virginia University  

June 20, 2025 — Caleb Palmer (‘26) moved to Buena Vista, Virginia while in high school when his dad accepted the position as the director of the Southern Virginia Institute of Religion of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Taking a gap year after high school to move away and look at various college options, Palmer felt Southern Virginia University calling him back. 

News Release

New Sport Performance Major Announced, Beginning Fall 2025

June 11, 2025 — President Bonnie H. Cordon and the President’s Council are pleased to announce that beginning in the Fall 2025 semester, Southern Virginia University will offer a bachelor’s degree program in sport performance that emphasizes reflective participation in competitive sports. A minor and several related concentrations will also be available.