1980s
SVSU/WORLD HISTORY THE THIRD OF FIVE WORLD AND SVSU COMPARATIVE TIMELINES LEADING UP TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
1982
SVSC’s men’s track & field team captures a GLIAC and an NAIA national championship. July 27, AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) is identified.
1980
Head football coach and athletic director Muddy Waters resigns from SVSC to coach at Michigan State University.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is dedicated on November 13. Michael Jackson releases Thriller on November 30.
1983
Saginaw Valley State College celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The first international students enroll during the spring semester, marking the beginning of a commitment to increase the school’s global enrollment.
SVSC receives funding for the Instructional Building Facility No. 2 project, which includes three facilities: Maurice E. Brown Hall, the Science Building and the Melvin J. Zahnow Library.
The nation elects Ronald Reagan its president. On May 18, Mt. St. Helens, a volcano in Washington, erupts resulting in one of the most disastrous geological events in American history.
The final episode of M*A*S*H airs on February 28. On June 18, the Challenger space shuttle launches into space with Sally K. Ride, the first American woman to travel in Space.
1981
The Council of State College Presidents votes in favor of establishing SVSC’s engineering program. Solidarity, an independent labor union, forms and eventually becomes the catalyst for the Soviet Union’s demise.
1984
SVSC hires assistant professor Ghulam H. Raz as the first faculty member for its engineering program.
Lady Diana Spencer (Princess Diana) and Prince Charles wed on July 29.
Eugene Hamilton is promoted to dean of continuing education and international programs.
August 12, the IBM computer is released.
The Detroit Tigers defeat the San Diego Padres to win the World Series on October 14.
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