Grand Valley Reports and Histories

Collection of reports, histories, and other documents recording the history of the university and its founding board members.

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A New College

John X. Jamrich

House Resolution No. 28 of the 1959 Michigan legislature created a committee to study the need for a four-year state-supported college in the Grand Rapids area. The committee submitted its findings and recommendations to the 1960 Legislature in a report entitled "A New College: A report to the Legislative and Citizens committees on the eight-county study of higher education needs in Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Kent, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newago and Ottawa Counties" by John X. Jamrich, Director of the Survey, December 1959.
A Study of the Establishment of Grand Valley State College

Marinus Matthius Swets

A study of the establishment of Grand Valley State College. Thesis for the Degree of Ph. D. Michigan State University by Marinus Matthius Swets in 1963. Swets later became professor and dean at Grand Rapids Junior (later Community) College.
Clare Jarecki: Premier Tool and Die Man

Gordon L. Olson

Biography of Michigan entrepreneur Clare Jarecki. Jarecki provided funding for the Fred M. Keller Engineering Laboratories Building at Grand Valley.
Dedicated to Our Aquatic Resources: A History of the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute

Gordon L. Olson

History of the Robert B. Annis Water Resources Institute, which integrates research, education, and outreach to enhance and preserve freshwater resources.
D. J. Angus: Practical Entrepreneur

Gordon L. Olson

Biography of entrepreneur D. J. Angus. Angus donated a 50-foot vessel, the Angus, to Grand Valley Water Resources Institute for aquatic sciences instruction and research.
Fred M. Keller: Doing Things His Way

Gordon L. Olson

Biography of Michigan entrepreneur Fred M. Keller. The Fred M. Keller Engineering Laboratories Building at Grand Valley was named for Keller.
Grand Valley Review: Experiments in Education: The Early Years at Grand Valley

Roberta Simone

Collection of essays on the early years of the college from the first community-based efforts to establish a four year college in the Grand Rapids area in the late 1950s to its organization as a University. The essays are written by faculty and former faculty, an administrator, a former student, and a COT staff member.
Grand Valley State College: A Concept for Continuing Development

Grand Valley State College and Johnson, Johnson & roy, Inc.

Study for the continuing development of the Grand Valley State College Allendale campus. The state-funded study was written to update and reassess the original 1961 plan that guided the college and its architectsthrough the first five years of planning and construction.
Grand Valley State College Coloring Handbook

Grand Valley State University

Promotional piece for Grand Valley State College in the form of a coloring book. The book answers frequently asked questions about the college and introduces students to faculty and administration.
Grand Valley State College: Its Developmental Years 1964-1968

Grand Valley State College and James H. Zumberge

Annual report of the President written as an account of events that transpired at Grand Valley State College during the first five years of operation, 1963-1968.
H4491. An Act to Establish Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State College

H4491. An act amending Act No. 120 Public Acts of 1960, to establish an institution of higher education having authority to grant baccalaureate degrees to be known as Grand Valley State University.
Leslie E. Tassell: Fun-loving Entrepreneur

Grand Valley State University and Gordon L. Olson

Biography of Michigan entrepreneur Leslie E. Tassell. Tassell provided funding for the Fred M. Keller Engineering Laboratories Building and the Engineering programs at Grand Valley.
L.V. Eberhard: Supermarket Superman

Mark Newman

Biography of Michigan entrepreneur L. V. Eberhard. The Eberhard Center for professional and graduate education was named for Eberhard to honor his support of Grand Valley.
Report of President Grand Valley State College 1962-1964: An Account of the Formative Years of a New Liberal Arts College in Michigan

James H. Zumberge and Grand Valley State College

The first formal report of Grand Valley State College's first President to the Board of Control. The report covers the early stages of college history and development as well as the progress and achievements from 1962-1964.
Russel Kirkhof: Mechanic to Millionaire

Gordon L. Olson and Reid Holland

Biography of Michigan entrepreneur Russel Kirkhof. Kirkhof Center, and Kirkhof College of Nursing are named in honor of his support.
Seymour K. Padnos: Family Enterpreneur

Richard H. Harms

Biography of Michigan entrepreneur Seymour K. Padnos. The Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science bears the name of the long-time supporters of Grand Valley.
The Lubbers Legacy: A Salute to Arend D. Lubbers, President of Grand Valley State University 1969-2001

Grand Valley State University

Illustrated publication comemorating the 32-year tenure of Grand Valley's second President, Arend D. Lubbers, on the occasion of his retirement. On this day, April 17, 2001, President Lubbers also received the university's highest honor, Doctor of Humane Letters.
The Story Behind This Door

Grand Valley State College

Published by the Grand Valley State College Board of Control in February 1962, prior to the start of construction, as a promotional piece.
William G. Jackson: Enterprising Scientist

Gordon L. Olson

Biography of Michigan scientist William G. Jackson. Jackson was a supporter of the Water Resources Institute. A GVSU research vessel is named for Jackson.