History of Grand Valley State University in Timeline
Grand Valley State University is a public university located in Allendale, Michigan, established in 1960. Its primary campus spans 1,322 acres west of Grand Rapids. GVSU operates additional campuses in Grand Rapids and Holland, with regional centers in Battle Creek, Detroit, Muskegon, and Traverse City, extending its reach throughout Michigan.
1958: Michigan Legislature Commissions Study
In 1958, the Michigan Legislature commissioned a study that highlighted the need for a four-year college in the Grand Rapids area.
1960: Grand Valley State College Established
In 1960, Grand Valley State College was established as a public university in Allendale, Michigan.
1961: Land Chosen for New Campus
In 1961, the Grand Valley State College Board of Control selected an 876-acre site in Ottawa County near the Grand River for the new campus.
1963: Michigan Constitution
As provided for by the constitution of the state of Michigan of 1963, Grand Valley State University is governed by an eight-member board of trustees.
1963: First Class Accepted
In 1963, Grand Valley State College accepted its first class of 225 students.
June 18, 1967: First Graduation
On June 18, 1967, Grand Valley State College held its first graduation ceremony for 138 students.
1969: Lanthorn Incident and Lawsuit
In 1969, after complaints about vulgarities in the Grand Valley Lanthorn, the editor was arrested, and the newspaper office was shut down. The university sued, and the case was settled out of court with the Attorney General siding with the college because the Lanthorn's content was considered covered by Freedom of Speech.
1973: Name Change to Grand Valley State Colleges
In 1973, Michigan Governor William Milliken signed the law changing the institution's name to Grand Valley State Colleges.
1983: Name Reverted to Grand Valley State College
In 1983, the name was reverted to Grand Valley State College when the academic programs were reorganized into divisions.
1987: Name Change to Grand Valley State University
In 1987, the Michigan Legislature passed a law renaming the college to Grand Valley State University.
1998: Meijer Campus Opens
In 1998, the Meijer campus opened in Holland, Michigan, named for the Meijer family.
2002: NACDA Directors' Cup Second-Place Finish
In 2002, the GVSU Lakers had a second-place finish in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2003: Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences Opens
In 2003, the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences (CHS) opened.
2003: NACDA Directors' Cup Second-Place Finish
In 2003, the GVSU Lakers had a second-place finish in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2004: NACDA Directors' Cup Win
In 2004, the GVSU Lakers won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2004: University Structure Reorganized
In 2004, the university's board reorganized the university structure again into a college system.
2005: Commissioned Piece by Erik Morales
Since 2005, the trumpet ensemble has commissioned four pieces by composer Erik Morales.
2006: National Trumpet Competition Win
In 2006, Grand Valley's trumpet ensemble placed first in the ensemble division in the National Trumpet Competition.
2006: Greenhouse Gas Emissions Level
In 2006, the university established a baseline level for greenhouse gas emissions.
2006: Grand Valley Lanthorn Publication Increase
Until the fall of 2006, The Grand Valley Lanthorn, the student-run newspaper, was only published once per week. Starting in the fall of 2006, the paper began being published on Mondays and Thursdays during the academic year.
2007: NME Performance at Bang on a Can festival
In 2007, the New Music Ensemble (NME) performed at the Bang on a Can festival.
2007: International Trumpet Guild Performance
In 2007, the trumpet ensemble performed during the International Trumpet Guild's summer conferences.
2008: National Trumpet Competition Win
In 2008, Grand Valley's trumpet ensemble placed first in the ensemble division in the National Trumpet Competition.
October 2009: University Research Projects
In October 2009, university researchers had engaged in over 186 research projects funded by more than $32.7 million in grants. GVSU's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC) also recently received funding for its $3.7 million Lake Michigan Offshore Wind Assessment Project to test wind energy on Lake Michigan.
November 2, 2009: NME Performance in New York City
On November 2, 2009, the New Music Ensemble (NME) performed at Le Poisson Rouge in New York City.
2009: International Trumpet Guild Performance
In 2009, the trumpet ensemble performed during the International Trumpet Guild's summer conferences.
April 2010: Sustainability Summit
In April 2010, Grand Valley hosted meetings relating to sustainability, including a summit in which various sustainability issues were explored by university officials and local experts.
July 2010: Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council Meeting
In July 2010, Grand Valley hosted a meeting of the Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council to discuss offshore wind energy generation.
2010: Early Assurance Program Launch
In 2010, the first group of six students entered the Early Assurance Program, which reserves spaces in MSU's medical program for top-performing GVSU pre-medical graduates. The goal of the program is to select first-generation college students, students from underprivileged areas, and students who have expressed a desire to work in high-demand medical specialties.
2011: Sustainability Efforts Recognition
For 2011, the university's sustainability efforts were awarded an "A−" by the Sustainable Endowments Institute. GVSU was also placed as high as 16th in the world for its sustainability efforts.
2011: Cook-DeVos Center Reaches Capacity
In 2011, the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences reached capacity.
2011: NACDA Directors' Cup Win
In 2011, the GVSU Lakers won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2011: Joint Program in Clinical Trial Management Announced
In 2011, the two universities announced a joint program specializing in clinical trial management, aimed at providing the foundations for carrying out clinical drug trials in West Michigan. The program was set to begin for the fall semester of 2011.
2011: Graduate Employment Rate
US News & World Report noted in its "Best Colleges 2011" that 98 percent of Grand Valley graduates find employment or pursue advanced degrees after graduation.
2012: Construction Projects and Land Purchases Announced
In 2012, GVSU announced several more construction projects and land purchases, including a new biology laboratory building and property in downtown Grand Rapids for healthcare program expansion.
2012: Detroit Center Established
In 2012, the Detroit Center was established when GVSU purchased the Barden Building in downtown Detroit.
2012: NACDA Directors' Cup Second-Place Finish
In 2012, the GVSU Lakers had a second-place finish in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2012: Degrees Conferred
In 2012–2013, GVSU conferred 4,448 undergraduate degrees and 1,033 graduate degrees.
2013: Student Financial Aid
During the 2013-2014 academic year, full-time dependent students received an average award of $13,276.
2013: Degrees Conferred
In 2012–2013, GVSU conferred 4,448 undergraduate degrees and 1,033 graduate degrees.
2013: Additions Announced for Au Sable Hall and Laker Store
In 2013, GVSU announced it would add on to Au Sable Hall and construct a building to house the GVSU Laker Store, with expanded dining facilities.
2013: Mary Idema Pew Library Finished
In 2013, construction of the Mary Idema Pew Library on the Allendale campus was finished. The $70 million, 140,000-square-foot (13,000 m) facility holds 150,000 books and uses an automated storage and retrieval system.
2013: NACDA Directors' Cup Second-Place Finish
In 2013, the GVSU Lakers had a second-place finish in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2014: Student Body Composition
As of Fall 2014, Grand Valley's student body consisted of 21,636 undergraduates and 3,458 graduate students across all campuses and centers. The fall 2014 incoming freshman undergraduate class had 4,199 students, and more than 400 international students were enrolled.
2014: Student Financial Aid
During the 2013-2014 academic year, full-time dependent students received an average award of $13,276.
2014: NACDA Directors' Cup Win
In 2014, the GVSU Lakers won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
April 2015: University Bookstore name change
Prior to April 2015, the GVSU Laker store was known as University Bookstore.
2015: Kindschi Hall of Science Opens
In the fall of 2015, the Kindschi Hall of Science, a new science facility, opened on the Allendale campus.
August 2016: Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center Opens
In August 2016, the Holton-Hooker Learning and Living Center, with space for 490 students, opened. The building is LEED silver-certified.
2016: Student Organizations at GVSU
As of fall 2016, GVSU has over 486 student-run organizations. Student organizations include categories in Academic and Professional, Student Life Sports, Cultural, Honorary, Interfaith and Religious, Media, Performing Arts, Service and Advocacy, and Special Interests.
2016: Fraternity and Sorority Community at GVSU
As of the winter of 2016, the GVSU fraternity and sorority community consisted of 1,600 undergraduate members, representing approximately 7.8% of the undergraduate population.
2017: NACDA Directors' Cup Win
In 2017, the GVSU Lakers won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2018: Ground Broken on Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health
In 2018, ground was broken on the Daniel and Pamella DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.
2018: NACDA Directors' Cup Second-Place Finish
In 2018, the GVSU Lakers had a second-place finish in the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2019: General Fund Budget
As of 2019, GVSU's general fund budget is $351 million, with $275 million from tuition and $72 million from state appropriations.
2019: LEED-Certified Projects Completion
As of 2019, there have been 25 LEED-certified projects completed at Grand Valley.
2019: NACDA Directors' Cup Win
In 2019, the GVSU Lakers won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2020: Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Goal
By 2020, the university set a goal to reduce its 2006 level of greenhouse gas emissions 20%.
2021: Popular Majors
By 2021 graduates, the most popular undergraduate majors were recorded.
2021: Class of 2025 Enrollment
For the Class of 2025 (enrolling Fall 2021), GVSU received 17,163 applications and accepted 15,730 (91.7%), with 3,807 enrolling.
2022: NACDA Directors' Cup Win
In 2022, the GVSU Lakers won the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools.
2024: Washington Monthly Ranking
In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Grand Valley 187th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on Grand Valley's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service.
2025: Enrollment and Employment Statistics
As of Fall 2025, GVSU enrolled more than 22,000 students and employed nearly 4,000 people.
2025: Class of 2025
For the Class of 2025 (enrolling Fall 2021), GVSU received 17,163 applications and accepted 15,730 (91.7%), with 3,807 enrolling.
2025: Steelcase Library Renovation
In the Summer of 2025, the Steelcase Library was renovated to include a University Testing Center and Psychology Lab.
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