Tidings, The Official Newsletter of Southern Virginia University -- A Review of Fall Semester 2005, at American Buddha Online Library

TIDINGS: THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF SOUTHERN VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY -- A REVIEW OF FALL SEMESTER 2005

by Southern Virginia University

FDIC Enforcement Decisions and Orders; Decisions on Bank Applications: Re: Mr. Stanford C. Stoddard

Table of Contents

IN THIS ISSUE:

1. A DECADE OF DEDICATION
A letter from SVU's President, Rodney K. Smith.

2. THE ADVENTUROUS ACADEMIC
Introducing SVU's new Executive Vice President and Provost Dr. Paul S. Edwards, and his wish list for SVU.

6. EXPANDING OUR HORIZONS
Highlights of capital expansions and additions that took place on campus this fall.

8. KNIGHTS IN SHINING ARMOR
A portrait of a college basketball team, where 60% of the players are returned missionaries.

10. COMMEMORATED KNIGHTS
Summaries of SVU's forums, devotionals, and business lectures presented by guest speakers this Fall.

12. HONORING LEADER-SERVANTS
SVU held special firesides to present Chieko Okazaki and Glade & Kathleen Knight with the Leader-servant Award.

13. LEARNING THAT LIFE IS SERVICE
Students devote their time to serving the community.

14. FINE ARTS PERFORMANCES
A look back at the productions and performances of SVU's Division of Fine Arts.

16. CHAMPION KNIGHTS
Information on growth and victories in athletics, including two more national championships.

18. BENEVOLENT GIFTS
Donors reach out to help SVU.

19. 2005 DONORS

21. THE SVU FAMILY

Tidings is a copyrighted publication of Southern Virginia University, 2006.

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

A DECADE OF DEDICATION

This year, Southern Virginia University celebrates the tenth anniversary of our inception of the "college on the hill." Southern
Virginia University has grown dramatically since its rebirth ten years ago, and continues to improve every semester. Our evolution over the last decade is a testament to our permanency and potency. Our school has grown remarkably in student enrollment, academic disciplines, campus social activities, fine & performing arts, and athletics. Here are some of our significant accomplishments over the last decade:

STUDENTS
-Enrollment has increased almost ten-fold in the last ten years, beginning with approximately 1996 to over 700 this fall.
-In Fall Semester, students represented 49 states and 17 different countries.

SPIRITUALITY
-90% of our LDS Young Single Adult students regularly participate in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' CE.S. Institute Program, in over 50 sections of different courses.
-On average, SVU students provide over 11,000 hours of community service each year.

ACADEMICS
-SVU is nationally accredited by the prestigious American Academy for Liberal Education.
-Our university offers 13 majors and 19 minors.
-Over 80% of Southern Virginia's full-time faculty have PhDs or other terminal degrees.
-Our average class size of 12 ensures that students receive an engaging classroom experience.

FINE & PERFORMING ARTS
-Our Division of Fine Arts facilitates and encourages students' participation in theatre, visual arts, and music.
-SVU has formal and informal vocal choirs, a flute choir, an orchestra, and a pep band.
-The Theatre Department gives students the opportunity to participate in plays, musicals, and now operas.

ATHLETICS
-Athletics currently includes 11 men's and 10 women's teams for various sports.
-SVU has won 23 National Championships for small colleges.

Southern Virginia University continues to provide students with a quality education and opportunities for personal development in a wholesome environment. We wish to thank our friends for their support; we wouldn't be here without all of their hard work and sacrifice. Our best wishes for the new year.

Dr. Rodney K. Smith
President

THE ADVENTUROUS ACADEMIC

SVU's new Executive Vice President & Provost, Dr. Paul S. Edwards

This summer, President Rodney K. Smith announced the creation of the osition of Executive Vice President & Provost, and the simultaneous appointment of Dr. Paul S. Edwards to fill the post. Since his arrival, Dr. Edwards has refined the university's academic mission and invigorated the institution's standard for scholastic excellence.

A NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY

Dr. Paul S. Edwards came to Southern Virginia University directly from George Mason University, where he served as President and Distinguished Research Scholar at the Mercatus Center, and as a research professor at George Mason's School of Law. Before serving George Mason in those positions, Dr. Edwards was Vice President of Academic Affairs at George Mason's Institute for Humane Studies. Dr. Edwards was also a member of the Political Science Department at Brigham Young University, a visiting Professor of Law at the American University of Armenia, and a judicial law clerk.

Dr. Edwards received his PhD in jurisprudence and social policy from the University of California at Berkeley in 1996, his JD from UC Berkeley in 1991, and his BA in History from Brigham Young in 1986. "I have been familiar with Southern Virginia University since its founding as a Latter-day Saint school, and I've watched its development with keen interest," said Dr. Edwards. "Having benefited from a liberal arts education as an undergraduate, I have always wanted to see SVU thrive and prosper." Dr. Edwards was formally introduced to the institution when he met SVU President, Dr. Rodney K. Smith. "I was overwhelmed by his enthusiasm and commitment," he remembers. "Listening to President Smith's vision, I instantly knew that this would be an exciting moment to be involved with Southern Virginia."

"On virtually a daily basis," noted President Smith, "I see small and large blessings from the Lord as we move forward in building SVU." He continued, "Surely, the addition of Paul Edwards as our Provost is a great blessing. We are very fortunate to have a person of his stature and experience serving in this very significant position at this critical time in the development and implementation of the university's academic vision. I cannot think of anyone better suited to serve as an
academic leader, effectuating a mission of preparing leader-servants for the work of the twenty-first century, than Paul Edwards."

HONORABLE AMBITIONS

At 2005 convocation ceremonies this August, Dr. Edwards was the keynote speaker. He shared with the audience several desiderata (desires, or wishes) he had for the university community, based on the teachings of the prophet Joseph Smith. For Dr. Edwards, Joseph Smith exemplifies what it means to be a "scholar-disciple." Dr. Edwards' desiderata, inspired by the prophet's teachings, are goals for the institution to work towards, "a kind of compact, if you will, for Southern Virginia University."

Dr. Edwards speaks at SVU's 2005 Convocation

SIX DESIDERATA FOR SVU:

1. That we can provide an environment where our reverence for the revealed truth of the Restoration, in word, in thought, and in deed, invites the Spirit to tutor our choices day and night.

2. That we would create a culture whereby seeking after the glory of God, which is indeed intelligence, that we would not fall into the temptation of pride that ensnared, among others, the Nephites as they created distinctions and ranks that divided them because of learning rather than uniting them through learning.

3. Through example and precept, we will become accomplished in letters, arts, and sciences. That you as students will learn the joy of that kind of soul-expanding literary, artistic, and scientific accomplishment that can only come from deep humility, from rigorous study, from careful analysis, from honest debate, from disciplined practice, and from thoughtful application of true principles.

4. That we would honor the whole soul by keeping ourselves spiritually, emotionally, and physically fit.

5. That we would cultivate graciousness through understanding and appreciation for arts and literature that refine and edify.

6. That we would help you transform knowledge into know-how by creating ample opportunities for meaningful participation in the classroom, the arts, athletics, and community service. And I would hope that through personalized counsel with mentors and advisors, you would be able to magnify your talents and connect them to valuable work and service in the home, the marketplace, the community, and the Church.

* Dr. Edwards' Convocation address, August 30, 2005 *

Foremost among his desires was that the university family would "sanctify" itself and it's practices. He reasoned that if each student, staff, and faculty member would live according to the honor code and devote their lives and efforts to the Lord, that the Lord would bless the institution and people's efforts to support it. Dr. Edwards stressed the importance of "learning by study and also by faith." He encouraged all present to seek diligently to learn, to teach each other, to become broadly educated in letters, arts, and sciences, and deeply educated in their chosen field. He also made it clear that knowledge and expertise do not justify pride. Dr. Edwards summarized the school's academic mission by saying, "the core purpose of Southern Virginia University is to prepare leader-servants, and develop scholar-disciples."

As Southern Virginia's new Provost, one of Dr. Edwards' goals is "to help more students and their families understand the value of what this kind of intensive and personalized education has to offer." Southern Virginia's rigorous training in liberal arts prepares students for the challenges of the future. From basic to complex, public to personal, SVU's academic program develops students' abilities, and gives them the tools necessary to change the world for the better.

"Whenever I read about or meet very successful entrepreneurs, people who are redefining the way we work in the world, I frequently note how many of them came out of a liberal arts or humanities background," said Dr. Edwards. "Somehow, approaching contemporary problems with a foundation of knowledge built on the best that western civilization has given us helps people ask the right questions and solve complex problems, better than a solely technical education can." He continued, "These influential people are always interested in ideas. The life of the mind seems to be a part and parcel of
their make up. In order to succeed professionally, students need the kind of general education provided at Southern Virginia. I can't think of a better preparation for the study of law, medicine, or business management."

Dr. John Armstrong, Chair of the Humanities Division at SVU, engages his students in a discussion about Aristotle during a philosophy class.

BRINGING KNOWLEDGE TO LIFE

Southern Virginia University's liberal arts curriculum trains students to think analytically and to apply general knowledge to solving problems. It teaches them refined writing and communication skills and gives them motivation to be life-long learners.

Dr. Barbara Van Kuiken gives students one-on-one attention during a chemistry lab

A key component to the curriculum's effectiveness is teacher-student interaction. The average class-size at Southern Virginia is twelve. In addition, all courses are taught by faculty members and never by graduate students or teaching assistants. These small classes allow our highly qualified instructors to push students beyond typical methods of listening, reading, and recitation, and devote more time to training students in ways that are not feasible at larger universities. Our students and
professors know each other. In an atmosphere of mutual trust, students grow in confidence and expertise as they are actively challenged through class discussions and nurtured with one-on-one interaction. It is Southern Virginia's goal to see that every individual undergoes in-depth instruction and receives the necessary guidance to excel academically.

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