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

The Knight Academic Bowl Team (left to right):  Erik Dryden, Joseph Deaver, Desta Golden, team advisor Dr. Fran MacDonnell, Britt Jones, and Peter DeReus

This semester, SVU's commitment to each student was amply demonstrated by the unconventional learning opportunities provided to them by their professors. Under their guidance, SVU students traveled to national competitions, where they were able to gain experience in applying their knowledge and skills. Dr. Timothy Knudson (Physics) kept tradition alive by organizing his exclusive trip to the World Championship "Punkin Chunkin" contest. The contest is held annually in Delaware,
and features teams that shoot pumpkins out of gigantic air cannons, catapults, and centrifuges. A wonderfully vivid display of physics in action, Punkin Chunkin is a unique laboratory where students can observe the principles they've learned in class, though they do not participate in the competition. This year, Dr. Knudson and his students convinced a team to mount a siren to one of the hurled pumpkins. The siren's sound helped to determine the speed the pumpkin was traveling through the air. Though the data is still being analyzed, Dr. Knudson anticipates it will reflect that the pumpkins travel faster than 100 mph.

The Knight Debate team celebrates their performance at the Bridgewater Invitational competition.  From left to right:  Nicole Smith, Keith Virgin, Stephanie Cottle, Brittany Andersen, Melanie Blakely, Rachael Dorman.

Dr. Fran MacDonnel1 (History) oversaw the training and competition of Southern Virginia's Academic Bowl team. Dr. Barbara Van Kuiken (Chemistry) accompanied the team to their regional tournament at the University of Georgia in October. The Knights finished the tournament in third place, with a record of 5-4. They won a number of impressive victories and nearly caused several major upsets. In the Knight's game against Duke University, Southern Virginia commanded the lead until the win slipped through their fingers in the last few seconds (score: 300-275). The team also put up valiant fights against Vanderbilt University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill, and North Carolina State. In the playoff round, SVU lost on the final toss-up question to North Carolina State. NCS went on to finish in second place behind tournament champion Vanderbilt University. Knights who excelled individually during the competition included team captain Erik Dryden, who was ranked in the top ten of approximately eighty competitors; history major John Neurberg; biology major Joe Deaver; and
business major Brit Jones. The Academic Bowl team is now looking forward to another regional competition in February 2006.

Fall semester was the inaugural season for SVU's first Debate Team, advised by Dr. E. Susan Kellogg (Business).  Junior Nicole Smith started the team when she discovered there was not a debate program or club already in place. In December, the Knight Debate Team was invited to compete in the Bridgewater College Regional Debate Championships. Nicole was awarded with first place for her individual performance in impromptu speaking. "Only at Southern Virginia could an ambitious student like Nicole take the initiative and be given the responsibility to create a program like the Debate Team," said President Smith (no relation to Nicole).  "Then go on to lead that team to a national championship, proving that SVU truly does prepare leader-servants."

A FUTURE OF PROMISE

In Dr. Edwards' opinion, Southern Virginia's unique approach to education is an essential alternative for Latter-day Saints. "Mormons have a duty to frame the most important questions that face the world today in the light of revelation," he said. "What better way to study politics, philosophy, and science than within the framework of the Gospel?" Commenting on the process through which Southern Virginia's leader-servants can change the world, Dr. Edwards noted that "through a liberal education, the discerning student can gain an appreciation for the beliefs, culture, and institutions that allow for human flourishing. The discerning student of western civilization can appreciate how it is that the West was able to achieve and maintain the framework for the rule of law and economic prosperity." He went on to say, "What better education could we have for redressing the global challenges of intolerance, poverty, and violence?"

Dr. Edwards spoke of the practical applications of a liberal education by saying, "In the daily life of a working professional, the ability to think critically, to write creatively and persuasively, and to see with perspective, are core competencies that make one successful."

We welcome Dr. Edwards to the Southern Virginia family, and look forward to sharpening our minds with the grit of his wisdom and desiderata. As he begins to mold the university's academic program, our scholar-disciples will continue to prepare to be leader-servants.

EXPANDING OUR HORIZONS

Capital developments and expansion took place on campus this fall.  Here are the highlights of SVU's new additions.

The SVU family gathered for a photo this October, outside of Main Hall.  This photo represents only a portion of all the people that make up SVU.

One of the most amazing characteristics of Southern Virginia University is the dazzling speed at which it grows. Since the school's rebirth in 1996, the number of attending students has increased nearly ten-fold; Southern Virginia opened with just over seventy students, and began the Fall 2005 semester with over seven hundred. In the next three to five years, it is our goal to raise the student body to one thousand.  Of course, welcoming more students means we'll need more places to put them, and more provisions for their proper education.

This fall, the first of our capital expansions were initiated, including a new chemistry lab, additional modular homes, and the Stoddard Activities Center. These new facilities will help SVU keep up with its rapid increase of students and help refine their Southern Virginia experience.

Southern Virginia University is a small and relatively young institution, and hitherto has lacked facilities requisite for an in-depth science program. "Our university has a very significant need for additional lab space," said Dr. Wilford J. Teerlink, Professor of Chemistry. "We currently only have one chemistry lab and one biology lab for the entire school. That limits the number of hours professors can spend with students, the time students can spend experimenting, and the number of students who can take science courses." Dr. Teerlink served as a member of Southern Virginia's Board of Trustees from 1996 to 1998, after retiring from DuPont where he was a Research Chemist.  In the spring of 1999, he left the Board to assume a position with SVU's faculty. In the summer of 2005, Dr. Teerlink joined other donors to build a chemistry lab for the university. The lab will be completed by Fall Semester 2006 and will provide students with additional space and comfort. "This means that we can continue to accommodate students who are on the pre-med and pre-dental tracks," said Dr. Teerlink, "and give them as good -- or better -- a preparation for the future than any other college in the country."

Dr. Wilford Teerlink stands in what will soon be SVU's new chemistry laboratory

Southern Virginia University is greatly indebted to long-time donor Stanford "Bud" Stoddard, and his wife Dixie, who gave thousands of dollars to the school this fall. Their contributions enabled the installation of additional modular homes on the north side of campus, and the construction of an expansive hall to be used for various activities and assemblies. The modular
homes, or "mods" for short, serve as housing for women students. Dormitory space is very limited, and is currently at maximum capacity. Women students who live on campus reside in the upper floors of Main Hall, modular homes adjacent to the Von Cannon Library, the Carriage Townhouses, and now the modular homes provided by the Stoddards. "With over 18% growth this year, the timing of Brother Stoddard's gift could not have been better," said Dr. Richard G. Whitehead, SVU's Vice President of Institutional Advancement. "They are a welcome addition and students love them."

SVU's new modular homes used for student housing

As part of this year's Homecoming celebration, Southern Virginia University was pleased to dedicate the Stoddard Activities Center, also made possible by Bud & Dixie Stoddard. The large hall will house the university's assemblies and activities such as dances and parties. A special dedication ceremony took place on Thursday, October 13, where the audience heard performances by the SVU Chamber Choir, remarks by Chair of SVU's Board of Trustees Glade Knight, President Rodney Smith, and Brother Stoddard himself. Student Association President Emilie Anne Feinauer also presented Brother Stoddard with a collection of letters from students expressing their thanks for the Stoddard's generosity. Glade
Knight and Brother Stoddard joined together to cut the ribbons of the center's front doors, bringing the momentous occasion to a close. That Saturday, the Stoddard Center served as the location for the much-anticipated 2005 Homecoming dance. Decorations from the Dance Committee and giant set pieces from the recent theatre production of The Importance of Being Earnest transformed the center into a beautiful ballroom for the evening.

Students and faculty joined with staff to help complete the Stoddard Center in time for Homecoming 2005.

"Seeing construction on campus informs students that SVU is continually progressing and striving to meet their needs," said SA President Feinauer. "lt's great to know that the school we care so much about is thriving." SVU reiterates its commitment to the education and prosperity of each of its Knights. We also express our thanks to the devoted physical facilities personnel who work so diligently to transform our campus, and to Dr. Teerlink and the Stoddards for helping SVU to achieve success.

The new Stoddard Activities Center, built adjacent to Knight Arena and dedicated in October 2005

Before the construction of the Stoddard Center, this space was used for storage.  In the days of Southern Seminary, it served as a stable for horses.

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