On Friday, September 13, Southern Virginia University (SVU) celebrated a historic moment with the inauguration of Bonnie H. Cordon as its tenth president. The event drew the largest crowd in the university’s history, with hundreds of distinguished guests in attendance.
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, President Bonnie H. Cordon, and others on the steps of Main Hall at the inauguration ceremonies. | Photo courtesy of SVUThe ceremony featured a keynote address by Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Attendees included Brad R. Wilcox, counselor in the General Young Men’s Presidency of the Church, and various government, educational, civic, and church leaders.
Since the announcement of her new role at SVU in October 2023, President Cordon has lived up to the anticipation that her appointment inspired. Reactions from students and staff at the time were overwhelmingly positive, with one professor saying, “I’m thrilled about what she may do for our school and for her leadership…She has years…of experience leading organizations far, far larger than our own. And I’m really excited to see what happens when she brings that experience here to us at SVU.”
Photo courtesy of SVUIn the months between the announcement and President Cordon’s inauguration, that confidence has solidified through countless interactions with students and faculty, both on and off campus. Audrey McKeon, who plays on the SVU women’s soccer team, commented, “I doubt there is a single student on campus over the last year who hasn’t had any genuine interactions with President Cordon.”
One professor noted that President Cordon testifies of Jesus Christ without hesitation whenever she speaks to the university, and that “nothing could be more important to higher education than encouraging young people to keep Christ at the center of their lives.”
Main Hall, the historic building on campus. | Photo courtesy of SVUSouthern Virginia University, located in Buena Vista, Virginia, was founded in 1996. It is a private liberal arts university that, while not affiliated with the Church, integrates education with the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university offers a range of undergraduate programs and is known for its close-knit community, personalized education, and commitment to developing leaders of faith and character.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
