Michael Brooks
Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. The college, though not officially affiliated with a particular faith, embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). It was founded in 1867 as a school for girls and is now a private four-year coeducational institution. The Carnegie Classification categorizes it as a very small baccalaureate-only college with an arts & sciences focus. In 1996, Southern Virginia College's board of trustees transferred the school's assets and liabilities to a new board, many of whom were members of the LDS Church. LDS Church principles and activities are fully integrated into life and education at SVU. An LDS Church Institute of Religion is operated on campus.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic | No |
| Faith-based | Yes |
| Founding year | 1867 |
| Founding name | Home School for Girls |
| Founder | Alice Scott Chandler |
| Current name | Southern Virginia University |
| Year of current naming | 2001 |
| Current owner | Privately owned |
| Religious affiliation | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints |
| Religious affiliation status | Unofficial |
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What You'll Learn
Southern Virginia University is not Catholic
Southern Virginia University is not a Catholic university. Although the university is a faith-based institution, it is not affiliated with a particular faith. Instead, it embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Southern Virginia University was founded in 1996 by a group of local Latter-day Saints to provide higher education in a faith-supportive environment. The university is located in the small town of Buena Vista, Virginia, nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The school was originally called Southern Virginia College and was founded in 1867 as a school for girls. In 1996, the college's board of trustees transferred the school's assets and liabilities to a new board, many of whom were members of the LDS Church. The university is not part of the official LDS system, but LDS Church principles and activities are fully integrated into life and education at SVU. An LDS Church Institute of Religion is operated on campus, and once each semester, SVU cancels classes for a service day organized by the local LDS stake.
Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college that offers rigorous academics delivered in small, collaborative classes. The Carnegie Classification categorizes it as a very small baccalaureate-only college with an arts and sciences focus. The university is accredited by the American Academy for Liberal Education (AALE) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
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It is a private liberal arts college
Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. The college embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) but is not officially affiliated with a particular faith. It was founded in 1867 as a school for girls and is now a private four-year coeducational institution. The Carnegie Classification categorizes it as a very small baccalaureate-only college with an arts and sciences focus.
The university is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in southwestern Virginia. The original building, now called Main Hall, was built in the 1890s as a grand resort hotel but was converted into a seminary at the turn of the century. Main Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the most prominent landmark in Buena Vista.
Southern Virginia University offers rigorous academics delivered in small, collaborative classes. The college provides an iPad to every student to enhance their learning experience. SVU has been recognised for its innovative use of technology and has consecutively earned the status of Apple Distinguished School. The university also offers a range of performing arts sections, including choir, opera, and dance, as well as intercollegiate sports teams known as the Knights.
The university is not part of the official LDS system, but its experience is designed to be Mormon-oriented. LDS Church principles and activities are fully integrated into life and education at SVU, and an LDS Church Institute of Religion is operated on campus. In 1996, Southern Virginia College reopened as an LDS-oriented institution with 74 students enrolled. Since then, enrollment has grown, and the university received full regional accreditation in 2012.
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It embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. Although the college is not officially affiliated with a particular faith, it embraces and integrates the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) into its education and campus life.
SVU was founded by a group of local Latter-day Saints in 1996 to provide higher education in a faith-supportive environment. The college's board of trustees transferred the school's assets and liabilities to a new board, many of whom were members of the LDS Church. This reorganisation was mainly led by Glade Knight. Since its founding, SVU has grown significantly, with consistent increases in enrolment numbers. In fall 2011, there were 800 students enrolled from all 50 states and five foreign countries.
SVU is committed to delivering rigorous academics through small, collaborative classes. The college offers a unique approach to education, combining faith and academics. It is known for its innovative use of technology, earning the status of Apple Distinguished School. The college provides a range of performing arts sections, including choirs, a dance company, and theatre programs. The athletic teams, known as the Knights, compete at the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
SVU's campus is nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering a beautiful and picturesque setting for its close-knit community. The university's main building, known as Main Hall, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally built in the 1890s as a grand resort hotel but was transformed into what was then called Southern Seminary after the turn of the century.
SVU is the only privately-owned liberal arts college in America specifically oriented towards the standards, policies, practices, and beliefs of the LDS Church. While it is not part of the official LDS system, the university is clear about its desire to offer a Mormon experience to its students. The university's mission is to gather, lift, and launch students into lifelong success, with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ taught, learned, lived, and loved.
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It was founded in 1867 as a school for girls
Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. Although the college is not officially affiliated with a particular faith, it embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The college was founded in 1867 as a school for girls by Alice Scott Chandler, who established the Home School for Girls in Bowling Green, Virginia, which was later renamed the Bowling Green Female Seminary. In 1883, Edgar H. Rowe purchased the school and operated it with Mrs. Chandler as principal.
The history of Southern Virginia University is closely tied to the LDS Church. In 1919, Robert Lee Durham, former dean of Martha Washington College, bought a half-interest in Southern Seminary, which was then known as the Bowling Green Female Seminary. Durham strengthened the school's academic program and added college-level courses to the curriculum. The school was then called Southern Seminary and Junior College. During this time, Durham's daughter, Margaret, and her husband, H. Russell Robey, played important roles in the school's administration.
In 1959, the Robeys transferred ownership of the college to a board of trustees, and the institution transitioned from proprietary to nonprofit status. The school ceased offering high school courses in 1961 and was renamed Southern Seminary Junior College. In 1996, Southern Virginia College reopened as an LDS-oriented institution, and the school's name was changed to Southern Virginia University in 2001. The university received full regional accreditation in 2012.
Today, Southern Virginia University is the only privately owned liberal arts college in America specifically oriented towards the standards, policies, practices, and beliefs of the LDS Church. The university provides a faith-supportive environment for its students and integrates LDS Church principles and activities into campus life and education. While the university is not part of the official LDS system, it offers a unique educational experience that combines rigorous academics with LDS values.
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It is located in Buena Vista, Virginia
Southern Virginia University is located in Buena Vista, Virginia. It is a private liberal arts college that embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). The college is not officially affiliated with a particular faith, but it was founded by a group of local Latter-day Saints in 1996 to provide higher education in a faith-supportive environment. The university is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the southwestern part of the state, in a town with a population of around 6,650 people.
The town's name, Buena Vista, is pronounced "Byoona" Vista by the locals, instead of the standard Spanish pronunciation of "Bwena." The name translates to "beautiful view," which is fitting given the surrounding landscape of tall, green trees and gently rolling hills. The university's campus is situated on University Hill, from where one can take in the natural beauty of the region.
The original building of the university, now called Main Hall, was constructed in the 1890s as a grand resort hotel. It was purchased by Edgar H. Rowe in 1883 and operated as the Buena Vista Hotel to accommodate land speculators investigating the town's iron ore deposits. However, the iron boom was short-lived, and the hotel was later transformed into what was then called Southern Seminary after the turn of the century.
Southern Virginia University has a rich history and a unique approach to education that attracts students from all over the country. The university integrates LDS Church principles and activities into its academic programs and campus life. While it is not part of the official LDS system, the university is committed to providing a Mormon experience for its students.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not. Southern Virginia University is a private liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia. The college, though not officially affiliated with a particular faith, embraces the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
Southern Virginia University is a faith-based institution of higher education aligned with the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Southern Virginia University was founded in 1996 by a group of local Latter-day Saints to provide higher education in a faith-supportive environment. The university was established as Southern Virginia College in 1867 as a school for girls and is now a private four-year coeducational institution.
