In his January 31, 1991, State of the University Address, President Eric R. Gilbertson announced that an additional $60 million of capital construction on the SVSU campus was on the drawing boards. This included a $30 Business Innovation and Professional Development Center (later renamed West Complex). A proposal for the BIPDC, which was expected to provide much needed classroom space, was sent to the state in April.

SVSU expanded in another way in February when permanent space for a branch education location was established at Cass City High School. SVSU first began offering courses in the Thumb area in 1981.

Despite the Gulf War, SVSU's international exchange program continued to operate full speed ahead. William Braddock, director of the international exchange program, announced that there were more students enrolled in the program in 1991 than there were in 1990. Among the international students to take classes at SVSU were 30 Taiwanese students in the master's of business administration program. Started in July of 1991, the program was expected to last 29 months and include opportunities for SVSU professors to teach in Taipei, Taiwan.

Cardinal football fans were treated to an expanded and improved stadium in the fall. Work on the $1.2 million project started in 1989 and transformed the former 2,400-seat Cardinal Stadium into the 4,028-seat Harvey Randall Wickes Memorial Stadium. Improvements included the addition of massive earthen berms, measuring 220 feet wide and 23 feet high, at both sides of the stadium to create a bowl-like setting. The facility is named for a Saginaw industrialist whose estate provided funding for the project. The dedication took place on September 14, 1991.

The main entrance to campus also received a facelift. A three-foot high masonry sign with an SVSU logo and 10-inch red letters was completed in November, 1991. The $26,000 project began on September 10.

SVSU's second president, Jack M. Ryder, announced his retirement from the university in December. Ryder served as president from 1974 to 1989 when he requested release from his presidential role. He returned to a position in the College of Education in 1990.

Between Christmas and New Year's, the 23-year-old Austrian pines bordering campus were cut down due to a fungus infection. The pines were originally planted as 12- to 16-inch seedlings in 1968-69 and shielded the campus from northwesterly winds. They could be seen from Bay and other roads surrounding SVSU.

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Last modified April 24, 2001