# Southern Virginia University

> liberal arts college in Buena Vista, Virginia, United States

**Wikidata**: [Q7570614](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7570614)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Virginia_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/southern-virginia-university

## Summary
Southern Virginia University (SVU) is a private liberal arts college located in Buena Vista, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1867, it operates as a not-for-profit educational institution with a focus on undergraduate education. As of 2020, it enrolled approximately 1,140 students and held an endowment of $1.5 million.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1867
- **Location**: Buena Vista, Virginia, U.S. (coordinates: 37.7403° N, 79.3503° W)
- **Type**: Private not-for-profit liberal arts college
- **Students**: 1,140 (as of 2020)
- **Endowment**: $1,512,296 (2020)
- **Admission Rate**: 99% (2020)
- **Athletics**: Southern Virginia Knights (NCAA Division III)
- **Affiliation**: Formerly affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church)

## FAQs
### Q: When was Southern Virginia University founded?
A: Southern Virginia University was founded in 1867 as Southern Seminary Junior College. It has since undergone several name changes, becoming Southern Virginia University in 1999.

### Q: What is the student body size at SVU?
A: As of 2020, the university enrolled approximately 1,140 students, maintaining a small, intimate learning environment.

### Q: What is the admission rate at Southern Virginia University?
A: The admission rate for 2020 was 99%, indicating an open-access approach to undergraduate education.

## Why It Matters
Southern Virginia University plays a significant role in higher education as a small, private liberal arts college dedicated to fostering academic rigor and personal growth. With a student-faculty ratio of 11:1 (as of 2020), it emphasizes personalized instruction and mentorship. The university’s historical roots in women’s education and its later transition to a coeducational institution reflect its adaptability to societal needs. SVU’s focus on affordability and accessibility—evidenced by its high admission rate—positions it as a gateway for students seeking a values-driven, intellectually challenging undergraduate experience. Its athletic programs and honors institute further enrich student life, contributing to its reputation as a holistic educational institution.

## Notable For
- **LDS Church Affiliation**: Historically tied to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, influencing its values-centric curriculum.
- **Honors Institute**: Offers rigorous academic programs, including a Great Books curriculum and leadership development opportunities.
- **Small Student Body**: Maintains a tight-knit community with a focus on individualized attention (1,140 students as of 2020).
- **Athletic Excellence**: Competes in NCAA Division III as the Southern Virginia Knights, fielding 23 varsity teams.

## Body
### History
- **1867**: Founded as Southern Seminary Junior College in Buena Vista, Virginia.
- **1920s**: Transitioned to a women’s college (Southern Virginia College for Women).
- **1999**: Renamed Southern Virginia University, adopting a coeducational model.
- **2000s**: Strengthened its liberal arts focus and expanded academic offerings.

### Academics
- **Curriculum**: Emphasizes the liberal arts, with majors in humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields.
- **Honors Institute**: Provides advanced coursework, including seminars on seminal texts and leadership development.
- **Accreditation**: Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- **Class Size**: Average student-faculty ratio of 11:1 (2020).

### Athletics
- **Teams**: Southern Virginia Knights (23 NCAA Division III teams).
- **Conference**: Member of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC).
- **Notable Sports**: Competes in football, basketball, soccer, and volleyball, among others.

### Demographics
- **Location**: 1 University Hill Drive, Buena Vista, VA 24416.
- **Employees**: 242 staff and faculty (2020).
- **Residential**: 90% of students live on campus, fostering a highly residential experience.

### Financials
- **Endowment**: $1.5 million (2020).
- **Total Assets**: $37.2 million (2020).
- **Tuition**: Positioned as an affordable private college, with institutional aid available to most students.

## References

1. Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. ROR release v1.19
5. Google Knowledge Graph
6. GeoNames
7. Freebase Data Dumps
8. [Source](http://www.svu.edu)
9. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
10. GRID Release 2016-09-30
11. GRID Release 2016-12-06
12. Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
13. Quora
14. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
15. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
16. National Center for Education Statistics