The Julia Edwards Bell Tower was dedicated on October 17. Located in the central campus at the sidewalk leading to Curtiss Hall, the Tower honors Julie Edwards, wife of William Edwards, the man who chaired the committee that raised the funds to purchase the initial land for the development of Saginaw Valley College. The Tower features four bronze bells cast in The Netherlands and plays Westminster Chimes on the hour. The Bell Tower was financed by a generous donation by the Edwards.

At his State of the University address on January 29, President Eric R. Gilbertson previewed some of the changes coming to campus, including construction of the $25 million Instructional Facility #3 (IF3) in spring 1999; renovation of existing residence hall facilities as well as the addition of housing; and construction of the Bell Tower and Amphitheater projects. Gilbertson explained his vision for the university: increasing the value of a SVSU degree by further stimulating intellectual growth; increasing the level of professional preparation; and keeping the cost of attendance low. "SVSU takes people of all ages, at points of great vulnerability and great promise ... transforming things ... it happens every day here," he notes.

Plans moved forward in February to start a new master's degree program in communication and multimedia. The interdisciplinary program is expected to draw area students as well as students from the Asian Computer College of Taipei, Taiwan.

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Last modified April 24, 2001