1990s
1990
Enrollment 11,726.
Grand Valley begins program to plant one tree for every ton of paper recycled by the school. Trees planted in Recycling Forest, renamed in 2001 to honor Vice President Emeritus Ronald F. VanSteeland.
1991
Enrollment 12,565.
Cook-DeWitt Center, housing campus ministry and a 250-seat auditorium, is dedicated.
Women's Climate Study Report results in new policy and programs.
NASA names Grand Valley as only institution in Michigan to participate in Joint Venture (JOVE), to increase universities' involvement in science-related research.
1992
Enrollment 12,867.
Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership established, renamed The Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership in 1999.
1993
Enrollment 13,384.
First Shakespeare Festival celebrated by Theater Department; Shakespeare Garden dedicated.
Academic organization reviewed; School of Education, School of Social Work and Kirkhof School of Nursing become autonomous schools, graduate program in nursing established.
September 26
Groundbreaking for new Science Complex, encompassing Loutit
Lecture Halls, Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science, Student
Services, and Henry Hall, named in honor of the late Paul B. Henry,
U.S. Third District Congressman.
December 10
First Winter Commencement held.
1995
James L. Stevenson Center for Higher Education, joint project between GVSU, Ferris State University and Western Michigan University, opens on the campus of Muskegon Community College.
Enrollment 13,887.
GVSU Traverse City Regional Center established at Northwestern Michigan College University Center.
GVSU receives its first patent, held jointly with Engineering Professor William A. Chren, for Direct Digital Frequency Synthesizer.
Robert and Mary Pew Faculty Teaching and Learning Center established.
Grand Valley student chapter of Habitat for Humanity builds first home.
Graduate Program in Public Administration accredited.
New Children’s Enrichment Center completed.
1996
April 12
Seymour and Esther Padnos Hall of Science dedicated with ceremony
featuring Former President Gerald R. Ford as speaker.
Enrollment 14,662.
Second research vessel for the Water Resources Institute commissioned, named W.G. Jackson in honor of Muskegon businessman and environmentalist.
Grand Design 2000 Campaign surpasses goal of raising $15 million in private funding for downtown campus expansion.
1997
First commencement ceremonies held in Van Andel Arena, and in Traverse City.
June 6
Groundbreaking ceremony on 19-acre site donated by Meijer, Inc.
in Holland.
Seidman School of Business accredited by American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business.
Enrollment 15,676.
October 16
Groundbreaking ceremony for Grand Rapids downtown campus
expansion, named for Amway co-founder Richard M. DeVos.
Living Centers dedicated named for Board members Maxine M. Swanson and Bill Seidman, along with his wife, Sally.
1998
March 19
Calder Arts Center, named for sculptor Alexander Calder,
dedicated; former Calder Fine Arts Center renamed Performing Arts Center.
National Science Olympiad held at Grand Valley.
Enrollment 16,751.
August 28
Meijer Campus in Holland dedicated.
Meadows Golf Course listed in top 25 public courses in Michigan by The Detroit News;Golf World selects its designer as golf course architect of the year.
Living Centers named for Board members William A. Kirkpatrick and Dale Stafford dedicated on Allendale campus.
School of Health Professions established.
1999
April 19
Groundbreaking for Peter F. Secchia Hall, first Grand Rapids
campus housing, dedicated in October 2000.
Enrollment 17,452.
Van Andel Global Trade Center established.
Ground is broken on Grand Rapids campus for Fred M. Keller Engineering Labs building by a virtual reality robot designed by students in Padnos School of Engineering.
Photos are courtesy of the Grand Valley University Archives and Special Collections