Saginaw Valley State University

Saginaw Valley State University Summary

Saginaw Valley State University, commonly known as SVSU, is a state university in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located in the middle of Michigan’s lower peninsula in the Saginaw Valley region and serves the cities of Bay City, Midland, and Saginaw. The university itself is located in Saginaw County, but its “official” address places it in University Center, Michigan, which it shares with Delta College, which is several miles to the northwest and is in Bay County. The university was chartered in 1963 as a private four-year liberal arts college known as Saginaw Valley College (SVC). It was renamed Saginaw Valley State College in 1975 and became Saginaw Valley State University in 1987. In the early 1950s, leaders of Bay County, Midland County, and Saginaw County began pushing the state legislature to establish a college in the area. The legislature suggested first created a two-year community college, which lead to establishing nearby Delta College in 1957. Community leaders continued to push for a four-year school, leading to the founding of SVC, which held its first classes in fall 1964 at Delta College (where they had attended for the first two years and were then enrolled as juniors and seniors at SVC). Its most popular school is the College of Education, which graduates thousands of professional teachers yearly. Marble from Wilmington, Ohio was appointed Saginaw Valley College’s first president. Before coming to SVC, Dr. Marble served as President of Delta College from the fall of 1961 until March of 1964. On September 8, 1964, the first class of 119 students completed their first two years at Delta College and then enrolled as juniors and seniors at Saginaw Valley College. However, for the first semester these students met in the basement of Delta College until the current Saginaw Valley College facilities were constructed. Freshmen were not permitted to Saginaw Valley College until the fall of 1965 because of the college lacked facilities. It was decided that Saginaw Valley College would offer three core courses to be known as the foundation courses; In March of 1965, Saginaw Valley College began their search for a new campus to separate from Delta College. The goal was to raise 4.5 million dollars to purchase and build the new site for Saginaw Valley College. In order to establish organization among Saginaw Valley College’s leaders a board of director’s was formed. – Bay City Jean Treadway – Bay City Excitement rang throughout Saginaw Valley when the board announced that ten degrees and two honorary degrees would be awarded on April 17, 1966. The academic procession included universities and colleges from 33 different Michigan educational institutions. In its second year, the college was anticipating enrollment to be over 400 students. Unless othewise indicated, all information is from the SVSU history section at the SVSU history site “SVC’s First Decade – Just a Beginning” was the title of the ten year celebration. The first ten years were to establish the college as a viable force not only at home but also in the state. On November 27, 1973, Saginaw Valley College celebrated its tenth anniversary with an all-day program featuring such speakers as Governor William G. Also part of the program was the presentation of $7,000 to the college from the Triskellions, a group of Midland women who operated two gift shops to raise money for SVC scholarships. Source: The Valley Vanguard, November 26, 1973 and December 7, 1973 1974 did not find Saginaw Valley College resting on the laurels of its late 1973 tenth anniversary celebration. The letter said, “For some time now I have been considering opening a new chapter in my life, and the conclusion of the activities marking the completion of 10 years in the life of the college appear to offer an opportunity to make such a decision.” The resignation ended a 16-year career in the area which included the development of two colleges, Delta and SVC. Marble also served 12 years as president of Wilmington College in Ohio. State of Michigan Representative Jim Barcia may well have used his time as a student at Saginaw Valley College to prepare for his public and political career. On January 9, 1974, the then Student Body President stood before his fellow classmates and delivered the annual State of the College Address. Barcia called on administrators of the college to work with students to develop it saying, “Some administrative offices should realize their job is to assist and not hinder his (the student’s) progress. A bill allowing colleges to apply for liquor licenses and operate bars and one requiring three voting students on governing boards at state colleges and universities were cited as the priorities for the time. The end of February, 1974 saw the appointment of the first Saginaw Valley College football coach, Frank “Muddy” Waters. Waters was 49 years old at the time of his appointment to SVC head football coach and had come to the college from Hillsdale College where he coached for 21 years compiling a 138-46-5 win-lost-tied record. On November 1, 1974, Dr. Jack McBride Ryder began his first day as the new president of Saginaw Valley College A $225,000 grant from the Charles Strosacker Foundation of Midland was put towards the construction and equipping of Pioneer Hall of Engineering and Technology. This was announced by college President Dr. Jack Ryder. In November of 1987, Saginaw Valley State College was reclassified as Saginaw Valley State University with a student enrollment of nearly 6,000. The $28.4 million project took two years to complete and added 208,399 square feet of learning space to the college. In November of 1987, SVSC was reclassified as Saginaw Valley State University with a student enrollment of nearly 6,000. The tower was dedicated to Julia Stacey Edwards in 1998, ten years after construction began Unless otherwise indicated, all information is from the SVSU history section at the SVSU website. The center would serve as the main entryway to SVSU’s campus, linking Doan Center with the Arbury Fine Arts Center. Construction began in mid-October Michigan Governor John Engler joined several members of the state legislature and about 200 other well wishers at the August 4, 1994 groundbreaking for SVSU’s West Complex (formerly known as the Business and Professional Development Building). Groening, a member of the group that worked to create both SVSU and Delta College. Lange founded SVSU’s College of Nursing and served as its dean for 20 years. In 2000, the Michigan Legislature approved funding for construction of Instructional Facility #4 (IF4), a $40 million project featuring the addition of a College of Education building and renovations to the Melvin J. Gilbertson said the new building affirms the state’s commitment toward improving teacher education in the 21st century and recognizes that the College of Education is the university’s fastest growing college. SVSU is located between Saginaw, Bay City and Midland on M-84 (Bay Road). entrances are on the ends of College Drive, the main road of campus. National Championships: National Runners-up: Basketball Final Four: Famous graduates of SVSU include the following: Template:Saginaw Valley State University

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

Saginaw Valley State University History

Saginaw Valley State University was founded in 1963 as a private liberal arts college and received university status in 1987. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. Its mission statement says in part, “By fostering an environment of inquiry and openness that respects the diversity of all whom it serves, the University prepares graduates whose leadership and expertise contribute to the advancement of a pluralistic society.” It is classed as a Master’s College and University I by the Carnegie Institute.

Saginaw Valley State University Academics

Saginaw Valley State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 5 colleges: The College of Arts & Behavioral Science, the College of Business & Management, the Crystal M. Lange College of Nursing & Health Sciences, the College of Education, and the College of Science, Engineering, & Technology.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as athletic training, computer science, economics, general business, marketing, political science, physics, and social work. Minors include creative writing, gerontology, German, and legal studies. Graduate programs are offered in business administration, communication and multimedia, education, nursing, and administrative science. The Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree is offered in 6 areas.

Saginaw Valley State University Unique Programs

Educational resources available at Saginaw Valley include the Bilingual/ Bicultural Center, the Partnership in Preparing Quality Teachers, the Math and Science Center, and Continuing Education. Continuing education has 250 online courses for professional development. The Math and Science Center serves local schools and children in grades K-12 by providing teacher education and student activities to improve math and science skills in students.

Saginaw Valley State University Financial Aid

Tuition and mandatory fees at Saginaw Valley State University were $5,078 for the 2004-2005 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available from both the state of Michigan (for Michigan residents) and the federal government. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process. There are several scholarships specifically for graduate students distributed through the departments.

Special financial aid programs for minority or non-traditional students include two endowed scholarships, a travel scholarship, and an equity grant.

Saginaw Valley State University Students

Student life at Saginaw Valley State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are academic and professional groups, Greek life, recreation groups (including the Paintball Club and the Hip Hop Dance team), religious groups, political and cultural groups, and special interests such as the choral society and the forensics team. Cultural venues on campus include a sculpture museum, a theater, and an art gallery, and there are regular films and musical events. Students can write for the newspaper the Valley Vanguard or for the literary magazine Cardinal Sins.

Saginaw Valley State University Local Community

Saginaw Valley State University is located in University Center, Michigan, in the area between Bay City, Saginaw, and Midland. Bay City has a population of approximately 36,000 and Saginaw of approximately 62,000. The city of Saginaw has a children’s zoo, a Japanese cultural center and tea house, regular festivals and concerts, and riverside activities. Bay City has a community theater, boat and trolley tours, and a state recreation area with trails and wetlands.