Southern Virginia University

37°44′25″N 79°21′01″W / 37.74028°N 79.35028°W / 37.74028; -79.35028

Southern Virginia University
Former names
Bowling Green Female Seminary (1867–1920)
Southern Seminary (1920–1992)
Southern Virginia College (1992–2001)
MottoLearn that Life is Service
TypePrivate liberal arts college
Established1867 (1867)
AccreditationSACS
Endowment$1.96 million (2021)
PresidentBonnie H. Cordon
Academic staff
165
Students967 (Fall 2023)
Location, ,
United States
CampusRural, 155 acres (0.63 km2)
ColorsCrimson and White
   
NicknameKnights
Sporting affiliations
NCAA Division IIIUSA South Athletic Conference
Websitesvu.edu

Southern Virginia University (SVU) 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.