On Septmber 26, 1963, registrations for the first freshman class were taken at Grand Valley State College in Allendale. 226 students enrolled, including a student from Iran.
The library, which had been a priority for the new President, was on its way well before opening day to establishing an impressive collection. Head Librarian Stephen Ford had been working on acquiring books for over a year, operating out of a small private house on the campus site. By the time they moved into temporary headquarters in Lake Michigan Hall, a staff of seven had been appointed and nearly 10,000 books had been catalogued!
According to Mich — Again’s Day, Grand Valley State was Michigan’s first separate 4-year state-supported liberal arts college to open in 60 years.
Sources:
For more information about the first days of Grand Valley, link to the narrative history, Section One, Part X, “A Campus in the Cornfields”.
Mich — Again’s Day