Change a constant at SVSU

October 22, 2007 —

This is my fourth year at SVSU, and the more I think about it, the more I realize that four years is a really long time. This is particularly evident when I consider everything that's happened to the University in that time.

Unless you've lived under a rock for your entire college career, it's hard not to notice SVSU is constantly growing and changing. The changes are worth looking at, especially when you consider how far SVSU has come since its humble beginnings in the early 60s. And humble is no exaggeration.

Did you know that our University started out in the basement of Delta College? The first graduating class was 10 strong, and the first graduation ceremony was held at a church in Midland. I think it's safe to say that we've come a long way as an institution since then.

In the last 18 years alone - coinciding with President Gilbertson's tenure - SVSU has spent approximately $220 million on construction around its campus. One doesn't have to look too far to see how it's affected the face of our university.

Not long before I came to SVSU, the bookstore was located where the Independent Bank currently is located, and where part of the Cardinal Cage used to be. I also remember when Education North was opened, Living Center South rose out of a big pile of dirt, and University Village East started wreaking havoc with all of the aforementioned Living Center's parking space (unfortunately, I am unable to remember a time when everyone was content with the parking situation). Even our sports fields haven't escaped change - the baseball and football fields have both experienced major renovations in the past year or two.

And everyone (except some of the newest freshmen) can remember these historical gems: a time when the halls of Pioneer weren't a throwback to the glorious 60s. When Village West was actually the village to the west, and when the Science East cafe wasn't closed off to public access. Of course, progress doesn't stop, as new housing is being constructed north of the Regional Education Center, and a nifty little rock garden is taking shape by Arbury. Progress doesn't slow down much at SVSU, but some things have also stayed the same through it all, and will probably never change. For example, I'm still writing this article in the same old Science East computer lab chairs - you know, the ones that squeal every time you think about shifting your weight. And SVSU still uses the softest cardboard available in lieu of actual toilet paper in the bathrooms (but I'm not complaining - guys don't really care about these things). And of course, President Gilbertson is still here after 18 years of service.

It's fun looking back at the history of the place that's responsible for teaching us everything we're expected to know in life. But it's even more exciting to look ahead, and see what lies in the not-so-distant future. Who knows what our school will look like in ten, fifteen, or twenty years? Personally, I can't wait to see where it goes, and I'm proud to be a part of it today.

Maybe someday future SVSU graduates will seek us out and ask us questions while we rock back in forth in our rocking chair in old age. They'll pick our brains about the good old days.

And maybe, they'll ask, "Do you think they'll ever get real toilet paper in the bathrooms?"

And you'll smile a knowing smile and reply, "Some things, my boy, will never change."