In November of 1987, SVSC was reclassified as Saginaw Valley State University with a student enrollment of nearly 6,000. The original Saginaw Valley State College sign was replaced with the current Saginaw Valley State University landmarker.

Instructional Facility #2, was dedicated and SVSC broke ground to build the Ryder Center and O'Neill Arena on
May 17.

The Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Gallery opened on June 13. These expansions brought nearly 200,000 additional square feet to campus.

The Board of Control designated the new fine arts center as the Dorothy (Honey) and Ned Arbury Fine Arts Center. The resolution said the Arbury's "have been special friends of Saginaw Valley State College since its inception 1963 and have maintained growth and development of the college and that they have made the designation with great affection, admiration and appreciation." Honey Arbury served on the Board of Control for over 23 years. She served on the SVC Development Fund, the original fundraising body of the college and continued to serve on its successor, the SVSC Foundation. Honey Arbury was awarded the honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree by SVSC and Ned Arbury was awarded the honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the college.

The Arbury's have been major benefactors through the years for SVSC, including having made major contribution for the construction of the fine arts center in recognition of SVSC's pressing needs in music and art. Honey Arbury chaired the Midland Committee for the find drive for the construction of the building. Both the Arbury's played key roles in securing major contributions from donors in Midland, especially the lead gift from Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. The Arbury's also were instrumental in encouraging the sculptor, Marshall M.Frederick's to contribute his life's works to SVSC and to be housed in a gallery named for him.

Source: The Valley Vanguard, June 23, 1987.

Credits | Add to these pages | Comments or Questions?
Last modified April 24, 2001