Steve Yanca, PhD, MSW, LMSW, ACSW, LMFT was a member of the Social Work faculty from 1991 – 2012. He received his PhD in Family Studies and Social Work from Michigan State University in 2002, and his Master of Social Work degree from Wayne State University in 1976....

Dr. Febert was a full-time instructor in the SVSU History Department specializing in medieval studies. Heidi was hired in July of 2013 then tragically and unexpectedly passed away of natural causes in December of 2013. Although Dr. Febert’s time and service at SVSU...

Roosevelt Ruffin was born in Saginaw in 1938. In 1957, he toured North Africa, Germany, Italy, and Spain as an entertainer. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Michigan State University and completed his Ph.D. in Spanish at the University of Michigan....

Florence “Goody” Peters was born in Winston Salem, N.C. on July 18, 1951. She was the daughter of Thomas Paul and Sarah “Sally” Ann Downing Cooke. She attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic School and graduated from Clearwater High School in 1969. She graduated from...

Gary McMall was above all else, a teacher. He brought all of himself to teaching, whether that was teaching his growing children Alex and Sara how to do drive, play sports or ski, or in front of a group teaching Dale Carnegie Training for so many years, pulling the...

Herbert H. Lyon was a native and long-time resident of Midland. Mr. Lyon was a Vice President of The Dow Chemical Company and for several years was director of corporate administration where he exhibited unique administrative skills. Mr. Lyon willingly shared his...

James E. O’Neill, Jr. was a 1947 graduate of St. Mary’s Cathedral High School in Saginaw. He earned his Bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951-53. He earned a Master’s degree in Education Administration from...

The James P. Gorzinski Scholarship fund was established by Jim’s professional colleagues at The Wirt­-Rivette Group and MDL Investments. Jim worked for both firms in executive roles. His last position was at The Wirt-Rivette group as Senior Vice President. Jim was...

Dr. Engel was the Director of School and University Partnerships at Saginaw Valley State University from 1998-2001. Previously, Dr. Engel was Superintendent of Saginaw Intermediate School District from 1988-1998. Following his position at SVSU, Dr. Engel did...

The Nathan Weidner Foundation was formed by Jack and Ann Weidner along with several of their friends, to honor the memory of his son, Nathan Weidner. Nathan was an exceptional child in many respects. One of his most striking personality traits was his ability to draw...

Nicholas Scheall was born and resided all his life in Bay City, Michigan. He attended Bay City Western High School where he excelled academically and was recognized on the National Dean’s List and by Who’s Who among American High School Students. He was also a member...

Mr. Busch grew up in Alma, Michigan, and attended Central Michigan University. He was a police officer for the City of Saginaw before beginning a 31-year career at Total Petroleum, Inc. of Alma. Mr. Busch retired in 1994, and passed away suddenly in 1995, at the age...

Dr. W. Leslie Whittaker was born May 13, 1918, in Portsmouth, England. He served in the British army from 1939 – 1944, primarily in North Africa. After the end of World War II, he attended Manchester University, receiving his B.A. (Honours English and Philosophy) in...

Bruce’s children, Allen Hart, Ashley Hart, Michael Hart, and Bruce’s family and friends, established this scholarship in his honor. Bruce Allen Hart has been an enthusiastic proponent of Saginaw Valley State University since he first attended and graduated with a...

Dawn {Schwark) Hoeg was born in Mt. Clemens, Ml on April 9, 1958. She was the daughter of Robert James .and Irma Jane Schwark. She attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from L’Anse Creuse High School-North in 1976 where she played volleyball, softball, and...

Dr. Zubeda Saied Khan was born in Pakistan in 1962, where she earned her medical degree from the Dow Medical College in 1987. Shortly after she met her husband, Dr. Mohammad Y. Khan. Dr. Khan completed her family medicine residency at Saginaw Cooperative Hospitals,...

The Francis X. MacKenna Endowed Chemistry Student Research Fund was established by a donor deeply committed to the advancement of chemistry and higher education, to honor the memory of a family member. The goal of the program is to assist in the funding of a project...

Gary McMall was above all else, a teacher. He brought all of himself to teaching, whether that was teaching his growing children Alex and Sara how to do drive, play sports or ski, or in front of a group teaching Dale Carnegie Training for so many years, pulling the...

Mr. Harry E. Rappa was employed by Eaton Manufacturing Corporation for 44 years. He retired as the Second Shift Superintendent. Mr. Rappa was committed to manufacturing in the Saginaw Valley. He passed away in 1998, at the age of 98. This scholarship fund was...

Joan Elizabeth Meisenholder was born on July 3, 1931 in Fort Sam Houston, Texas to Philo and Marguerite Meisenholder. She graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder, later completing a Master’s Degree in Education at Saginaw Valley State College (now...

The Zeilinger family actively farmed in Kochville Township from the late 1800’s through the 1980’s. Education was highly valued. Each generation achieved a higher level of schooling. The current generation attended and graduated from a college in Michigan. The family...

Mary Heuser Anderson was born August 18, 1932, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Harold and Margaret (Moore) Heuser. Mary graduated from Bay City Central High School and later graduated with an honorary Doctorate of Music from the University of Louisville. She...

Ronnie Scheall was born in Standish, Michigan. He graduated from Standish Sterling High School and Delta College. He then earned his degree in Industrial Engineering from Western Michigan University. He was the first of his siblings to attend college. He worked as a...

Tom Merkle was a standout athlete at T.L. Handy High School and Saginaw Valley State University (then College). He excelled in football as his high school team’s two-year starting quarterback and was the third baseman and number two pitcher for the baseball team....

Walter T. James received his doctoral degree from Columbia State University in the 1960’s and taught at Saginaw Valley State University from 1968-1976. Dr. James served as Chair of the Sociology Department, Dean of Professional Studies, Acting Vice President for...

The purpose of Forever Red is to provide students with a “link to their future” as alumni of Saginaw Valley State University. Forever Red works to provide students the opportunity to connect and network with SVSU Alumni, support scholarships to enhance the SVSU...

The Forty & Eight was organized in 1920 by American Legionnaires as a fund and honor society. Now composed of veterans of both World Wars and the Korean, Vietnam, and Desert Storm conflicts, it draws its origin from World War I when young Americans were sent to...

Frank N. Andersen was born in Dresden, New York to parents who immigrated from Denmark. He attended school for a few years in a country schoolhouse, and then advanced his education with correspondence courses and a year-and-a-half at Yale. He arrived in Saginaw in...

Mr. and Mrs. Cook, residents of Bay County, are very committed to youth initiatives and enriching educational opportunities for our community. Mr. Cook is affiliated with the Jim White Lumber Company, a brokerage firm that buys and sells materials to lumber yards. He...

Frederick Douglas Horak passed away October 16, 2002 at the age of 18, as the result of an automobile accident. Fred was a senior at Bay City Western High School, and an accomplished golfer who was a four-year varsity letter winner. He participated in three Saginaw...