BUENA VISTA, Va. -- Southern Virginia College, a relatively new private institution targeting Mormons, is suddenly 55 percent larger -- at least in land area.
The college in the Shenandoah Valley grew from 90 acres to 140 acres through a land donation recently from Brent and Bonnie Jean Beesley of Salt Lake City. That will allow the college, which was nearing enrollment capacity, to expand."I strongly endorse the unique mission of the college," said Brent Beesley, who is a trustee of the college, as he donated 49.5 acres that are adjacent to the college and along a major highway.
While not owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the private college requires students to live by an honor code and standards in harmony with the church. Also, 99 percent of its students are LDS.
Members of the LDS Church bought the institution in 1996 when it was facing financial difficulty and converted it from a two-year college to a four-year institution with LDS standards.
"Since 1996 when SVC became a four-year college with an LDS emphasis, our student body has jumped from 76 students to more than 300 at the start of this year," said SVC President E. Curtis Fawson.
"As the college was originally designed for a student body of about 350 students, we will need this strategically located property for expansion in the various areas of campus activity. We are deeply grateful to Brent and Bonnie Jean Beesley and their children for this generous gift."