History of Saginaw Valley State University in Timeline

Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU), established in 1963, is a public university located in University Center, Michigan. Situated on a 748-acre campus in Saginaw County, it serves approximately 8,500 students. SVSU, the newest of Michigan's 15 public colleges and universities, offers over 100 academic programs spanning undergraduate and graduate levels, organized within its five colleges.

1922: Bay City Junior College Founding

In 1922, Bay City Junior College was founded, marking the beginning of higher education in the Saginaw Valley region.

1955: Civic Leaders Discuss Higher Education

In 1955, civic leaders in the Saginaw Valley region met to discuss establishing a local institution of higher education.

1958: Samuel Davey Marble Becomes President of Delta College

In 1958, Samuel Davey Marble became the first president of Delta College.

1958: Two-Year College Approved

In 1958, voters approved a two-year community college, which would later expand to a four-year college.

1961: Delta College Replaces Bay City Junior College

In 1961, Delta College replaced Bay City Junior College.

1961: Delta College Opens

In 1961, the two-year college, Delta College, opened.

November 1963: Saginaw Valley College Founded

In November 1963, Saginaw Valley College was founded as a private institution.

1963: Saginaw Valley State University Founded

In 1963, Saginaw Valley State University was founded as Saginaw Valley College in University Center, Michigan.

1963: Articles of Incorporation Drawn Up

In 1963, articles of incorporation were drawn up for Saginaw Valley College, originally called Delta Senior University, and the state granted a charter to SVC as a private, four-year liberal arts institution.

March 23, 1964: Samuel Davey Marble President of SVC

On March 23, 1964, Samuel Davey Marble became president of SVC.

1964: Dr. Samuel D. Marble Appointed President

In 1964, Dr. Samuel D. Marble, the president of Delta College, was appointed president of SVC.

1965: Saginaw Valley College Becomes State-Supported

In 1965, Saginaw Valley College became a state-supported institution.

1966: First Commencement Ceremony

In 1966, the first commencement ceremony was held for a graduating class of ten students, and a site was chosen for a permanent SVC campus in Kochville Township.

April 1970: Full Accreditation Received

In April 1970, Saginaw Valley College received full accreditation by the North Central Association.

1970: Accredited as Baccalaureate Degree Granting Institution

In 1970, Saginaw Valley State University was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association as a baccalaureate degree granting institution.

1972: Cardinals Join Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

In 1972, the Cardinals became a charter member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

January 14, 1974: Samuel Davey Marble Leaves SVC

On January 14, 1974, Samuel Davey Marble left his post as president of SVC.

November 1, 1974: Jack McBride Ryder Becomes President

On November 1, 1974, Jack McBride Ryder became president of SVSC/SVSU.

November 1974: Jack M. Ryder Becomes President

In November 1974, Jack M. Ryder became president of the college.

1974: Frank "Muddy" Waters Hired as Football Coach

In 1974, Frank "Muddy" Waters was hired as the college's first football coach.

1974: Name Change and President Resignation

In 1974, the name changed to Saginaw Valley State College, and President Samuel D. Marble resigned.

1974: Name Change to Saginaw Valley State College

In 1974, the name of the institution changed to Saginaw Valley State College.

1974: Junior Varsity Football Program Established

The Junior Varsity football program dates to 1974.

1975: Varsity Football and Marching Band Started

In 1975, Varsity football and the marching band started.

1977: Michigan Efficiency Task Force Recommendation

In 1977, the Michigan Efficiency Task Force recommended combining SVSC and Delta College, but the idea gained no traction.

1978: Pioneer Hall Completed

In 1978, Pioneer Hall, the home of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, was completed.

1980: Accreditation at Master's Degree Level Granted

In 1980, the HLC/NCA granted accreditation at the master's degree level.

1981: Scott L. Carmona Alumnus

In 1981, Scott L. Carmona graduated from Saginaw Valley State University.

1985: Fire Destroys College Records

In 1985, a fire destroyed financial records, registration files, and other important records at the college.

June 1987: Marshall M. Fredericks Collection

In June 1987, the college became home to the works of the noted sculptor Marshall M. Fredericks.

November 4, 1987: Colleges Elevated to Universities

On November 4, 1987, SVSC, Grand Valley State College, Ferris State College, and Lake Superior State College were elevated to universities.

November 5, 1987: SVSC Becomes Saginaw Valley State University

On November 5, 1987, SVSC officially became Saginaw Valley State University.

1987: Name Change to Saginaw Valley State University

In 1987, the name of the institution changed to Saginaw Valley State University.

June 30, 1989: Jack McBride Ryder Leaves Post

On June 30, 1989, Jack McBride Ryder left his post as president of SVSC/SVSU.

August 29, 1989: Eric R. Gilbertson Inaugurated as President

On August 29, 1989, Eric R. Gilbertson was inaugurated as president of SVSU.

1989: Dr. Jack Ryder Resigns

In 1989, Dr. Jack Ryder resigned as president.

1990: Samuel Marble Memorial Scholarship Established

In 1990, the Samuel Marble Memorial Scholarship was established to be awarded to a transfer student from Delta.

December 13, 1991: Dr. Ryder Named President Emeritus

On December 13, 1991, Dr. Ryder was named a president emeritus of the University.

1991: Off-Campus Location Opened

In 1991, an off-campus location was opened in Cass City.

1997: Gladys and Samuel Marble Scholarship Fund Established

In 1997, the Gladys and Samuel Marble Graduate Business Scholarship Fund was established.

2000: George W. Bush Visit

In 2000, George W. Bush visited the Ryder Center before being elected President of the United States.

2003: Battle of the Valleys Established

In 2003, the annual Battle of the Valleys, a fundraising competition against rival Grand Valley State University, was established.

March 18, 2009: First Publication of the Saginaw Valley Journal

On March 18, 2009, The Saginaw Valley Journal was first published.

2009: SVSU Pennant Sent to Space

In 2009, SVSU alumnus Tony Ceccacci was the lead flight director for STS-125, a mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, and an SVSU pennant was sent to space on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

2009: Men's Ice Hockey Team Won National Championship

In 2009, the Men's Ice Hockey team won a national championship.

2010: Men's Ice Hockey Team Won National Championship

In 2010, the Men's Ice Hockey team won another national championship.

June 18, 2013: President Gilbertson Announces Retirement

On June 18, 2013, President Gilbertson announced his intention to retire upon the appointment of his successor.

2013: Dr. Gilbertson Announces Intention to Retire

In 2013, Dr. Gilbertson announced his intention to retire upon the appointment of his successor.

2013: Purchase by Blackhurst Campbell LLC

In 2013, The Saginaw Valley Journal was purchased by Blackhurst Campbell LLC.

February 10, 2014: Donald Bachand Named President

On February 10, 2014, Donald Bachand, the university's provost and academic vice president, was named SVSU's fourth president.

2014: Ming Chuan University Opens Michigan Campus

In 2014, Ming Chuan University, the first Asian university to be accredited in the United States, opened their Michigan Campus in Gilbertson Hall.

2014: Building Named After Eric R. Gilbertson

In 2014, the Regional Education Center building was named Eric R. Gilbertson Hall, after the university's third president.

2015: Community Engagement Classification Application

In 2015, SVSU applied to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to receive a Community Engagement Classification.

2020: Business College Expansion Expected to Open

In 2020, the Scott L. Carmona College of Business is expected to open after a 38,500 sq. ft. expansion.

2021: Undergraduate Majors by Graduates

Saginaw Valley's most popular undergraduate majors, by 2021 graduates, were listed.

2021: Class of 2025 enrolled in Fall 2021

The class of 2025 enrolled in Fall 2021.

January 1, 2023: Dr. George Grant Jr. Begins Presidency

On January 1, 2023, Dr. George Grant Jr. began serving as the fifth president of Saginaw Valley State University.

2025: Class of 2025 Enrollment Statistics

For the class of 2025, Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) received 5,878 applications and accepted 4,577 (77.9%).

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