Saginaw Valley College's teacher program moved toward certification in April, 1971. The college was given preliminary approval by the state board to train teachers in 1967. In 1968, Alma College would recommend SVC's graduates for certification in education. Clubs were flourishing at SVC. Speak Out, a panel of students to explain the views of students, was created while James Gaertner was President of the student body.

The Valley Vanguard was the title chosen for the student newspaper.

The list of clubs includes: Theater, Drama, Physics, Chemistry, BSA, La Neuter Generation (Mexican-American group), Bahai, Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship, Ski club, Veterans club, Republican and Democratic Clubs, Students Activities Club. All clubs expanded in1971.

In February of 1971, the first annual Franc A. Landee Award for Excellence in Teaching at SVC winners were announced: Dr. William S. Hoffman and Dr. Gamal A. Elashhab.

Dr. Hoffman was the first faculty member hired by SVC when it started in 1964. Prior to that, he had taught at Delta College since 1960. While at SVC he served as the Chairman of the Curriculum Committee and was a member of the Professional Affairs Committee. He was also on the Rank and Tenure Committee and served for a short time on the Admissions and Special Problems Committee. Dr. Hoffman taught American History, History and Government of the U.S., and a course on the era from Jefferson to Jackson.

Dr. Elashhab came to SVC in 1969. He served on the Rights and Responsibilities Committee, the Professional Affairs Committee, and the Faculty Counsel. Dr. Elashhab taught several courses in the Educational Department of SVC and was on the sub-committee on general education.

Source: The Valley Vanguard, February 7, 1971.

August of 1971 brought a new program to Saginaw Valley College as it was approved as a participating institution in the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration's law enforcement education program.

Under this program, grants were made for city, township, or county police who wanted to enroll in special law enforcement courses at the college. Officers who accepted the grant agreed to remain employed in the department for which they work for a period of at least two years following completion of the study period.

Students enrolled in the program would take liberal arts courses, but in 1972, the college had 15 hours of law enforcement related courses to offer. Liberal arts courses were accepted in the program because it was recognized that the law enforcement field needed persons with skills for administration, business operations, and counseling; all of which could be learned in a liberal arts curriculum.

Source: The Valley Vanguard, August 30, 1971.

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