Back to the Future

John Kaczynski

service events.” John Kaczynski, assistant professor of political science and director of the center, assisted students in finding internships with government and public service organizations. The center also functions as a locus in the Great Lakes Bay Region for community groups, educational institutions, politicians, businesses and individual citizens to share and discuss ideas promoting community development.43

Back to the Future

In February 2013, the Board of Control approved a new strategic plan for the university. It retained many of the core elements that guided SVSU during its second quarter century. The university emphasized classroom — as well as experiential/service learning — in its distinctive educational programs. To facilitate these initiatives, SVSU continued to place emphasis on improving classroom technology and on making resources available electronically. Importantly, the university recognized that creating a diverse and dynamic campus community was key to preparing students for success in a global economy after graduation, while also reiterating its goal of remaining a regional academic and cultural center.44

The university developed strategic plans that included emphasis on making resources available electronically. In January 1993, Melvin J. Zahnow (seated), for whom the libary is named, accepted an invitation from Jean Houghton (far left), former director of the Melvin J. Zahnow Library, to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the ValCat system; also in attendance at the event were (from left): Karl Steiner, former director of the Valley Library Consortium; John Cole, former director of IT at Delta College; and Norman Maas, former director of the Public Libraries of Saginaw.

The first Alternative Break was during winter 2004. The issue was Wildlife Rescue, and the students worked with Bald Cypress Project in Hammond, Louisiana. Nick Tereck (above), one of the site leaders, was among a total of seven participants.

The College of Business & Management in 1999 established the Family Business Program, which offers educational opportunities to those who run region-based, family-owned businesses. The program was renamed the Stevens Center for Family Business at SVSU February 10, 2011, in honor of Morrie and Julie Stevens, who were instrumental in building a support network for family businesses through SVSU. Morrie was on the founding board and Julie was the first associate director for SVSU’s Family Business Program when it was formed. At the dedication ceremony, Morrie Stevens (pictured above) said, “The next generation is the future of family-owned businesses ... Providing them with a solid education that addresses the challenges and opportunities unique to leadership in a family company will help promote their success, and the success of their businesses, and the good health of our economy.”