Everything about Southern Virginia University totally explained
Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a
liberal arts college located in
Buena Vista, Virginia that promotes standards and values of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) while not being owned nor operated by the Church. Founded as Southern Seminary in
1867, it's now a private, 4-year coeducational institution.
Due to SVU's promotion of LDS standards and ideals, 96% of students are Church members. The University is accredited by the
American Academy for Liberal Education, and the campus consists of more than .
History
The school was founded as a for-profit institution in 1867 as the
Home School for Girls by Alice Scott Chandler. 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. 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.
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's board of trustees transferred the school's assets and liabilities to a new board, most of whom were members of
LDS Church. They reorganized the school to put forth standards, values, and beliefs of the LDS Church. In
2000 the school regained its accreditation and was renamed Southern Virginia University.
Academics
Southern Virginia University offers thirteen different majors: Art, Biology, Business Management and Leadership, Computer Science, English, Family and Child Development, History, Liberal Arts, Music, Philosophy, Politics, Spanish, and Theatre.
Incoming students have averaged a 3.2 high school GPA with ACT and SAT test scores averaging about 23 and 1050, respectively.
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 (theatre and music), and over 16 homes which are used for additional student housing and office space. The University owns approximately, most of which is slated for future development and expansion. A new 210-student residence hall is currently under construction and is scheduled to open in spring 2009.
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, chairman of the board of trustees.
On
March 6 2008, members of the
Buena Vista, Virginia city council and administrators from the University met to discuss a ten year master plan. A study conducted in 2007 denoted that the University has a $17 million impact in Buena Vista and in the surrounding community. Additionally, the University plans to build a new library, performing arts center, facilities maintenance building, academic classroom building, an addition to the Stoddard Activities Center and a renovated Student Union.
Performing arts
SVU offers several performing arts sections to its students. For choir, students may choose from Chamber Choir, a Women's Choir (Bella Voce), a show choir (ENCORE),and an acapella choir (Fading Point). Music programs consist of an Orchestra, Pep Band, and Woodwind Ensemble. The theatre program has performed
The Diary of Anne Frank, The Sound of Music, The Importance of Being Earnest, Seeking Higher Ground, and
Beauty and the Beast. Other options for participation in the Theatre program include the Shenanigans Improv Comedy Group, student directed one act plays, pageant wagon, and participation in the SVU Film Festival.
Students and faculty
SVU's stated mission is to "prepare leader-servants in the workplace and the world, in the community and the church, and in the home." It primarily serves faithful members of the LDS Church but also invites all who will adhere to its values (delineated in its honor code) to participate.
Religious activity
LDS Church principles and activities are fully integrated into life and education at SVU. An LDS Church
Institute of Religion is operated on campus, currently in Landrum Hall. Also, twice each semester the University organizes a trip to
Washington D.C. Temple.
Honor code
SVU requires all students and faculty to adhere to a strict honor code, similar to the
Brigham Young University Honor Code. The SVU honor code includes the following guidelines:
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.
Notable alumni
Further Information
Get more info on 'Southern Virginia University'.
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