Feature Story
Building Upon a Foundation of Success: Southern Virginia University’s 2025 Commencement
On May 9, family, friends, faculty, and professional staff of Southern Virginia University gathered on the front lawn of Main Hall for the university’s annual Commencement to celebrate the Class of 2025—the largest graduating class in university history of 184 students.
“Class of 2025, your journey from this place will be uniquely yours, but you will never walk alone,” said University President Bonnie H. Cordon. “Go and live the Lord’s message from the Sermon on the Mount with courage, compassion and conviction.”
Before keynote speaker Sheri Dew’s address, Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hugh Redd recognized her with an honorary doctorate in recognition of her contributions to the university and the world.
“Miss Dew’s life has been one of leadership, service and commitment and we came to the conclusion that she has lived a life of intellectual curiosity, spiritual power and leadership acumen that closely aligns with what we value here,” Provost James Lambert said. “To that end, the President’s Council at Southern Virginia University officially recommends Sheri L. Dew to be recognized with an honorary doctorate.”
A lover of sports, Dew congratulated the men’s volleyball team on their recent national championship and shared how winning streaks start by winning just one game and then another so the wins stack on each other.
“Graduates, I want you to think about all of the things you’ve been stacking here at SVU: the friends you’ve made, the experiences you’ve had, the hard things you’ve overcome, and the things you’ve learned,” said Dew. “You’ve already, whether you’re aware of it or not, been stacking wins.”
Encouraging the graduates to intentionally stack wins, Dew emphasized principles such as service, learning to communicate well, and prioritizing a relationship with God to create a foundation for difficult times.
“Put God first,” Dew said. “And every time you do, you stack another game, you stack another win. You stack so that even when you have a difficult moment, you have that much momentum to fall back on, that much experience to fall back on.”
Learning the importance of not letting the past dictate the present, Valedictorian Melia Luker referenced a quote about letting time pass and emphasized the importance of embracing the moment and what can be found in it.
“Moments have brought us here, and even today is going to be another moment that will move us forward,” said Luker. “As we walk across this stage, I want us to remember to embrace the present and trust the future. And more importantly, to let time pass.”
President Cordon encouraged the graduates to remember the recently installed stained glass window of the Sermon on the Mount in Main Hall, emphasizing that stained glass shines beautifully because of the light behind it.
“This mural is a symbol of what happens when the light of the Savior Jesus Christ shines through us,” said Cordon. “It reminds us not only of light and color, but of guidance, truth, and the kind of life He calls us to live. As you leave Southern Virginia University and step into the new chapter, that image of stained glass glowing with the light offers a powerful metaphor for your life ahead.”
After the conferral of degrees, choral graduates and alumni gathered on the steps of Main Hall with a combined university choir to follow the university’s tradition of singing the American folk song, “Oh Shenandoah.” At the conclusion of the event, faculty members lined up as those in attendance cheered the recessing graduates.
Special guests in attendance included Chairman of the Board of Trustees Hugh Redd, university co-founder Glade Knight, and state and local officials.