SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

'Southern Virginia University' is a liberal arts college located in Buena Vista, Virginia. Founded as Southern Seminary in 1867, it is now owned by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
The majority of Southern Virginia University's students and faculty are members of the LDS Church. The University is accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education. The campus is comprised of more than 155 acres. Southern Virginia University is the only college in the world to promote LDS standards and values while not being owned or operated by the LDS Church as Brigham Young University is.

Contents

History

Campus

Mission

Academics

Libraries

Fine arts

Choirs

Music

Theatre

Religious activity

Honor code

Ownership and control

Administration

Faculty

References

External links

History

The school was founded as a for-profit institution in 1867 as the ''Home School for Girls'' by Alice Scott Chandler. ^[5] In 1900 the school was moved to Buena Vista and renamed ''Southern Seminary''. In 1922 the school became a junior college and was renamed ''Southern Seminary and Junior College''. History of Southern Virginia University Additional copy of history. In 1959 it became a non-profit college under the control of trustees. In 1961 the school ended its high school program and became ''Southern Seminary Junior College''.^[6]
The financial health of the college began to decline in the 1980s, and by 1996 the school was at the point of closing. Late name changes were to ''Southern Virginia College for Women'' in 1993 and simply ''Southern Virginia College'' when the school began accepting male students in 1994.
In 1996, Southern Virginia College was sold to a group of businessmen who were also members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They reorganized the school to put forth standards, values, and beliefs of the LDS Church. In 2000 the school regained its accreditation^[6] and was renamed Southern Virginia University.^[6]

Campus

The University's campus currently consists of ten major buildings, including Main Hall (the most visible building at SVU, serving as female dorms), the Student Union, the Knight Sports Arena, the Von Canon Library, Landrum Hall (Currently used as an Institute of Religion building), Craton Hall and Robey Hall (men's dorms) Durham Hall (the main academic building), Chandler Hall (the hub of theatre activity at SVU), and over 16 homes which are used for additional student housing and office space. The University owns approximately 155 acres, most of which is slated for future development and expansion.

The Knight Statue at Southern Virginia University in front of Main Hall

The University is nestled in the midst of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a scenic area of Virginia. The Knight Statue, placed in front of Main Hall, was a gift to the University from Glade Knight, the key figure in the investment of the school.

Mission

Southern Virginia University has a mission designed to assist "individuals fulfill their spiritual, intellectual, and social potential as sons and daughters of God." The University primarily educates members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and others of similar beliefs and values but is not owned or operated by the Church. This mission also entails the process of "Preparing Leader-Servants in the workplace and the world, in the community and the Church, and in the home."
The University also provides Institute of Religion classes through the LDS Church.^[6]

Academics

Southern Virginia University has majors including:

★ Art ★ Biology ★ Business Management and Leadership ★ Computer Science ★ English ★ Family and Child Development ★ History

★ Information Science and Multimedia Design ★ Liberal Arts ★ Music ★ Philosophy ★ Physical Education and Recreation Administration ★ Spanish ★ Theatre

Libraries

The Von Canon Library is the University's only library. The library is so small that it must house 100,000 volumes off-campus in a warehouse.^[10]

Fine arts

Fine arts at Southern Virginia University^[11] include the music, choir and theatre programs and is based in Chandler Hall.

Choirs

SVU has a Chamber Choir, Institute of Religion Choir, and an acapella choir ''Miscellaneous'' (women)

Music

The music program at Southern Virginia consists of an Orchestra, Pep Band, and Woodwind Ensemble.^[12]

Theatre

The theatre program^[13] at Southern Virginia University is currently led by Robert Stoddard.^[14]
Performances have included ''The Diary of Anne Frank, The Sound of Music, The Importance of Being Earnest, Seeking Higher Ground,'' and most recently ''Beauty and the Beast''.

Religious activity

Because Southern Virginia University educates primarily members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the religious activity is ''sui generis'' compared to any other University's spiritual life. Students who attend SVU are normally active in Young Single Adult Wards, informally known as 'Singles Wards' as well as the Institute of Religion, currently housed in Landrum Hall. Also, at least twice a semester the University transports its students to the Washington D.C. Temple to perform various ordinances.
During the summer months, Southern Virginia University hosts multiple sessions of Especially for Youth, a week-long camp coordinated and run by the LDS Church. Facilities on campus are used for workshops and the participants are housed in the campus dorms, and eat in the cafeteria.^[15]

Honor code

All students at Southern Virginia University, regardless of religion, voluntarily agree to adhere to a strict honor code^[16] which includes:

★ Honesty in academic and personal behavior ★ Living a chaste and virtuous lifestyle ★ Abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, tea, coffee, and illicit drugs

★ Respect for the rights and property of others ★ Obedience to law and University policies ★ Observation of University dress and grooming standards

An ecclesiastical endorsement to live the honor code is part of the application process. This consists of the student signing a compact in conjunction with their Bishop.^[16]

Ownership and control

Unlike Brigham Young University, the flagship University of the LDS Church, Southern Virginia University is neither owned nor operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Instead, it is controlled by a Board of Trustees with its Chairman currently Glade Knight. Members of the Board include:

★ Francis W. Cash, President & CEO of The LaQuinta Companies

★ Lynn Chapman, President of NVS, a privately held software tool company

★ Dr. Kent Colton, Senior Scholar, Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies, Stake President

★ Sterling D. Colton, Marriott International, President Emeritus of the Canada Vancouver Mission and Washington D.C. Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

★ Robert Daines, Professor Emeritus, Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University

★ Dixie Fawson, Instructor Emeritus of Southern Virginia University

★ Ron Jones, Chairman and CEO of Sealy

★ J. Christopher Lansing, President of Ted Lansing Corp

★ Dr. Dane McBride, Physician of Allergy and Immunology

★ Maurice McBride, Attorney, National Petrochemical & Refiners Association

★ Chieko Okazaki, Former Member of The Relief Society General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints^[18]

★ Heather Sandstrom, Former News Anchor and Model

★ James E. Skeen, Attorney

★ Billy E. Upton, Architect

★ Nanci Wudel, Wudel Incorporated

★ Dr. Rodney K. Smith, President of the University

★ Joyce E. McKenzie

Administration

★ President, Rodney K. Smith^[19]

★ Vice President of Student Life and Enrollment, Walter E. Ralls^[20], also is the Stake President of the Buena Vista Virginia Stake of the Church

★ Executive Vice President and Provost, Paul S. Edwards^[21]

★ Vice President of Administration and Finance, Robert E. Huch

★ Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Richard G. Whitehead

★ Dean of Students, Brian G. Pendleton (Interim; Position currently vacant)

★ Dean of Admission, C. Anthony Caputo

★ Director of Financial Aid, Margaret L. Murphy

★ Registrar, Joseph P. Bouchelle

★ Director of Annual Giving, Jeffrey D. Robison^[22]

Faculty

Over 80% of the faculty at Southern Virginia University hold terminal degrees. Among the faculty is science fiction writer Orson Scott Card,^[6] historian Francis MacDonnell, published philosophers John Armstrong and Jan-Erik Jones and artist Barbara Crawford, who is assisting Cy Twombly in his decoration of a room at the Louvre.
Another notable professor beginning in 2007 is Keith Alessi,^[24] venture capitalist and former CEO of Jackson Hewitt. Alessi, a non-Mormon, will be teaching business and accounting classes.

References

1. Reorganized in to promote LDS Values and Standards
2. The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
3. About SVU & Enrollment Statistics
4. Not owned by or officially affiliated with the LDS Church
5. SVU Scholarships
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Ways To Give
11. Fine Arts at SVU
12. Music at SVU
13. Theatre at SVU
14. Robert Stoddard Profile Page at SVU
15. Summer Conferences and Programs: EFY - Especially for Youth
16. Application Process See Part C of application (PDF) for full text of the pledge.
17. Application Process See Part C of application (PDF) for full text of the pledge.
18. About SVU - quick facts
19. Rodney K. Smith
20. Walter E. Ralls, Jr.
21. Paul S. Edwards
22. Jeffrey D. Robison
23.
24. Keith Alessi Information Page at SVU.edu

External links

★ Southern Virginia University

★ Official Site of Knight Athletics

★ Athletics Site

★ Theatre Program at Southern Virginia University

★ Southern Virginia University Office of Admission

★ Alumni Association

★ "Why I am Teaching at SVU...And Why SVU is Important" by Orson Scott Card