Melvin J. Zahnow Library Melvin J. Zahnow was among the incorporators of the private Saginaw Valley College and served on its board of trustees. He was named to the Board of Control when SVC became a state college in 1965, and served as treasurer to the Board until 1981. Prior to his SVSC service, he was a member and treasurer of the Delta College Board of Trustees.

Over the years, Dr. Zahnow contributed countless hours of his time to the development of SVSC. He has been a benefactor to the College since its inception, was instrumental in the success of several fundraising efforts for the College, and served on the SVSC Foundation Board.

After graduating from Albion College, Dr. Zahnow joined the Wickes Boiler Company in Saginaw. He became secretary and director, later serving in similar capacities with Wickes Brothers and with the Wickes Corporation, where he became treasurer and later senior vice president. Following his retirement from the Wickes Corporation in 1967, Dr. Zahnow served as President of the Harvey Randall Wickes Foundation until 1984, and served as Chairman of the Board.

During Dr. Zahnow's years with the Wickes Foundation, the College was assisted on many projects, including the original purchase of land, the football complex, the Valley Library Consortium computer (which provides for resource-sharing in the Saginaw Valley), the Pioneer Hall of Engineering and Technology, the Arbury Fine Arts Center, support for the Engineering Program, scholarships, library books and materials.

The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce presented the 1985
Robert H. Albert Community Service Award to Dr. Zahnow. In 1981 Dr. Zahnow was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from SVSC.

The Melvin J. Zahnow Library is 66,726 square feet, contains 145,000 books, 11,435 rolls of microfilm, and 14,000 sheets of microfishe.


Source: Instructional Facility #2 Dedication Program, April 12, 1987.

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Last modified April 24, 2001