The National Association of Retired Federal Employees is a nonprofit organization that works with retired federal employees and their families by advocating for their retirement benefits at the local, state, and national levels.

Established on December 9, 1968 with $200,000, Daktronics, Inc., was founded by two SDSU Electrical Engineering professors (Dr. Aelred Kurtenbach and Dr. Duane Sander) to offer university graduates an alternative to leaving the area for permanent employment. By 2006 (38 years later), it employed 1,400 full-time/700 part-time (April, 2006), had netted $21 million on revenue of $329 million (12 months preceding October, 2006), and was “the world’s leading supplier of electronic scoreboards, large electronic display systems, marketing services, digital messaging solutions and related software and services for sports, commercial and transportation applications.” / Initially, Daktronics intended to develop biomedical instrumentation, but following its first major contract (1970) for the Utah legislature’s electronic voting system (later in 40+ state assemblies and the UN General Assembly), it serendipitously moved into scoreboards with the three-sided pyramid “Matside” brand wrestling scoreboard (1971), which evolved into the most complete line of “All Sport” scoreboards and timing systems (later found in every state and foreign countries). This solid-state circuitry was then utilized in time/temperature and message/animation systems at banks, shopping centers, motels, high schools, colleges, civic centers, etc. Combining the scoreboards and messaging boards resulted in custom-designed scoring and information systems popular in universities and arenas across the country. / Daktronics uses new and existing technology to improve its products. “Glow Cube” reflective light technology (which are high intensity electromagnetically controlled individual lights approximately one-inch square) enabled Daktronics to offer the most complete line of information systems available in 1989. In the 1990’s, Daktronics enhanced its “Starburst” incandescent color technology, using new reflector and lens design to present up to 16.7 million colors. It also acquired and enhanced technology for LED displays. / Daktronics has made scoreboards for many Olympics, beginning with the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid and continuing with the 1988, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002 Olympics. “It’s fun to be involved in the Olympics, but they come only every two years, so it’s not something to build your business around,” said Jim Morgan, Chief Executive of Daktronics. In 2006, 35% of Daktronics sales were to the commercial market, such as Walgreens, CVS, Times Square, Las Vegas strip, and billboard operators, including Lamar Advertising. / Daktronics’ initial public offering was in 1994. In 2006, Daktronics was one of only four public companies in SD with more than $300 million in sales. Also, in 2006, Daktronics opened a 100,000 square foot plant in Sioux Falls, SD, its first major expansion outside of Brookings, SD, its home. At that time, 55% of Daktronics staffers were current SDSU students or alums. / “We established our culture in those early days.” said founder Al Kurtenbach. “We became very customer-oriented. That was extremely important to us. We did everything possible to meet their commitments. We have a lot of great war stories about what our people do to make sure things work well for our customer when the big moment comes.”

In 1980, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The EPSCoR program is designed to assist states in establishing a self-sustaining academic research enterprise with the competitive capability that will contribute to the states' economic viability and development. The EPSCoR mission is "to strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the United States and to avoid undue concentration of such research and education." Today many federal agencies have developed a similar program including NASA, DOE, DoD, NIH, etc. / Goals of South Dakota EPSCoR include: Improving South Dakota's research science and technology capabilities; Providing educational opportunities for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students; Pursuing potential technology transfer and commercialization activities to promote economic development within the state of South Dakota; In order to achieve these goals South Dakota EPSCoR has a working collaboration with the Office of Commercialization, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the Board of Regents. Actively involved universities include South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota.

Banks was an antiquities enthusiast and entrepreneurial roving archaeologist in the closing days of the Ottoman Empire, who has been held up as an original for the fictional composite figure of Indiana Jones. Starting from his position as American consul in Baghdad in 1898, Banks bought hundreds of cuneiform tablets on the market in the closing days of the Ottoman Empire and re-sold them in small batches to museums, libraries, universities, and theological seminaries, several in Utah and the American Southwest and across the United States. These tablets had been dug up by locals at sites like Telloh and the many other tells of central Mesopotamia. Banks purchased many more cuneiform inscriptions from a dealer in Istanbul. The Ottoman government did not regulate the trade in such minor antiquities.

Though he had been funded for an expedition to the site of Ur, Banks was foiled by the Ottoman administration, who would not permit digs at Babylon or Tell Ibrahim, or other prominent sites. In 1903 it was decided that his excavations were to be at Bismya, the site of ancient Adab, in Iraq. His 1912 publication about his excavations at Bismya/Bismaya (Adab), the Sumerian city now in Iraq, contains some lively accounts of his struggles with the Ottoman bureaucracy (see link below).

In 1909 Banks became a professor of Oriental languages and archaeology at the University of Toledo. After World War I, Banks travelled and lectured extensively, scattering his cuneiform tablets among purchasers wherever he went. Tablets Banks sold to Charles W. Ames are now in the Science Museum at the University of Minnesota and many other private and public sites in the U.S.

Banks is credited with the sale of an ancient cuneiform tablet of great mathematical importance to the New York publisher George Arthur Plimpton. The artifact, reportedly purchased for $10, was housed in Plimpton's private collection before being donated to Columbia University upon Plimpton's death. The artifact, now famously known as Plimpton 322 (denoting that it is the 322nd item in the catalog), has provided great insight into the Babylonian era math. Although debate over how to interpret this artifact continues, the artifact is usually taken to display knowledge of the Pythagorean theorem, long before the birth of Pythagoras himself.

Edgar Banks also started two movie companies, and climbed Mount Ararat in a search for Noah's Ark. Cecil B. DeMille apparently invited Banks to become a consultant on bible epics in 1921.

Banks was an active lecturer and author. It was during such a lecturing trip in 1921 that he discovered Eustis, Florida, and decided to retire there.

He died in Eustis in 1945 at the age of 79.

The Eustis Historical Museum features one room with exhibits about Banks.

The South Dakota Humanities Council (SDHC), was founded in 1972 in response to an act of Congress. It is the only cultural organization whose sole mission is to deliver humanities programming to the people of South Dakota. Through literature, history, and other humanities subjects, the Council promotes increased cultural awareness and greater appreciation of the state's rich cultural heritage while also emphasizing the importance of understanding the universal human experience. This programming vision forms the core mission of SDHC. The agency supports and promotes public programming while providing grant funding to South Dakota non-profit and educational organizations for programs in traditional humanities disciplines. For 35 years, the SDHC has provided a host of opportunities. Financial Grant Support is available for community organizations through Discussion Grants, Media Grants and Research Grants. / The Council is operated by a staff of five full-time professionals. The Council maintains a board of 18 South Dakotans who set policy, provide guidance and determine programming goals and missions. The board is composed of citizens with varied backgrounds who serve as volunteer board members. There are four members of the Council board that are appointed by the Governor of South Dakota.

From 1908-1960, the South Dakota School of Agriculture at Brookings educated young men and women from across South Dakota in a unique atmosphere. For five months of the year, students lived on the campus of South Dakota State College and took "practical" classes to prepare for life on the farm and in the home. As a replacement for their high school course, the school primarily taught vocational agriculture and home economics but did not neglect traditional subjects such as English and arithmetic. Students took part in a full range of extracurricular activities and even published a newspaper. Aggies, as they were widely known, thus reaped the benefits of a high school education while still working at home or earning money to pay tuition for seven months of the year. / In the earliest years, enrollment in the school was very high. Both boys and girls were represented, and many students were older than average high school students were. High schools were not common in rural South Dakota, and those that were available were often at quite a distance, requiring students to live away from home. The five-month calendar was particularly attractive to rural students, and the location at South Dakota State University made many older students feel less conspicuous. / Following the 1917 passage of the Smith-Hughes Act, which provided funding for vocational and home economics in the public schools, enrollment began to decline slightly. The establishment of high schools throughout the state also assisted in the decline, although rural students continued to attend. Following World War II, the school began to offer a certificate in agriculture for high school graduates, similar to an associate's degree. By the early 1950's the number of girls enrolled dropped to two, and the home economics courses were dropped entirely. The agriculture classes were still offered however, although enrollment was often very low for the high school courses. In 1959, due to the drop in enrollment and growth in the number of high schools across the state, South Dakota State College decided to discontinue the high school courses and offer an associate's degree in agriculture as a replacement for the post-graduate work. In June, 1960, the last students graduated from the School of Agriculture, and it officially ceased to exist.

Harold W. Shunk was born in Philip, South Dakota on July 25, 1907. He married DeLilah E. Wood, a former classmate at Colome High School, in 1929. After graduating from Southern State College, Shunk taught school in Tripp County and later on the Rosebud and Cheyenne River Indian reservations. During World War II, he served as a tank driver in the South Pacific. He worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as superintendent of the Sisseton, Turtle Mountain, Standing Rock and Rosebud Indian agencies beginning in the 1950s. / Upon retiring in 1968, Shunk devoted himself to public service. He was active in many civic and fraternal organizations and served on the governing boards of the Rapid City schools, South Dakota State University, University of South Dakota, and Black Hills State University. He was also a member of the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Paroles, Lower Brule Irrigation Board, and Pennington County Housing Board. / Shunk had a special interest in history, and in addition to his service to the South Dakota State Historical Society, he hosted radio and television programs in Rapid City. / Harold Shunk died on April 18, 1998 in Rapid City.

William H. Powers was born in northwest Ohio. He attended Miami University in Oxford, OH, receiving his B.A. in 1891. He obtained his M.A. from Harvard University in 1899. After teaching at Huron College in Huron, South Dakota for a few years, he became the librarian of South Dakota State College in 1905, a position he held until 1931. / In addition to his service to the university, Powers was a charter member of the South Dakota Academy of Science, as well as the Forum. He served on the SD State Library commission, as well as the Brookings Public Library Board of Trustees, and was instrumental in getting a Carnegie Library placed in Brookings. He was also involved in the Boy Scouts from a very early date. / Powers died in 1936.

The National Chapter of Scabbard and Blade was founded in 1904 at the University of Wisconsin. The 1st Company, 6th Regiment of Scabbard and Blade was installed at South Dakota State College, May 15, 1927. The purpose of Scabbard and Blade was to aid in raising the standard of military drill in American colleges and universities, to unite in closer relationship their military departments, to encourage and foster the essential qualities of good and efficient officers, and to promote intimacy and good fellowship among the cadets. R.O.T.C. Cadets had to be enrolled in the advanced course before they were considered as prospective members for Scabbard and Blade. Qualifications for membership in the fraternity were similar to those found in other honorary fraternities. The cadet elected had to possess such qualities as efficiency, patriotism, obedience, honor, courage and good fellowship. This organization remained on the campus of South Dakota State University through sometime in the 1970s.

The South Dakota Dairy Association was formed to develop, improve and promote the dairy interests of the state of South Dakota. The Association is comprised of a board of directors which consists of a president, vice-president, and a secretary-treasurer. This association has held conventions annually since the early 1900's.

The exchange relationship between South Dakota State University and Yunnan Normal University was conceived by Dr. David Hilderbrand when he toured China with a group of chemistry professors in 1985. Dr. Hilderbrand met Professor Xie (pronounced Hsieh) from Yunnan Normal University. From this acquaintance, the idea evolved for collaboration to benefit faculty members and students. Consequently, an agreement to exchange professors for one term was developed and signed by university officials in 1986. / Yunnan Normal University President Wu Jicai and Yu Yanjin, head of the Foreign Affairs office, visited SDSU in 1987. (A schedule of events for their visit with a photograph of the visitors is included in this file.) / Fall term of that year, a professor from each university was on site as an exchange teacher at the partner institution. Other visitors and exchange professors followed. A list of the individuals who were exchange professors and family members who accompanied them is attached. / Following their teaching assignments in China, SDSU faculty members wrote reflections that were compiled into documents by the Office of Academic Affairs. The documents, which were updated and reissued in total, are as follows: / Visiting China, March 1989; Visiting China, October 1988, October 1990; China Exchange Program, October 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992; China Exchange Program, October 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992; July 1996 / The original submittals along with correspondence and other examples of the experiences are found in a separate folder entitled "Reflections." / The reports written by exchange professors Dr. Diane Rickerl (REFLECTIONS by DR. DIANE RICKERL at Yunnan Normal University Fall 1996) and Dr. Howard Woodard (Report on China Visit) following their exchange experiences in 1996 and 1997 were not published but are included with this collection. / Dr. Lyle Olson, exchange professor in 2001 published newspaper articles written during the exchange experience in a book "Cross-Cultural Adventure: A South Dakota Family in China" which accompanies these archival materials. / Dr. Robert Wagner, President of South Dakota State University, visited Yunnan Normal University in the summer of 1988. Other SDSU visitors at CNU, in addition to exchange professors, included Ms. MaryJo Lee who, accompanied by her husband Dr. Richard Lee, and their son, Douglas Lee, conducted research at YNU in the summer of 1997 (see separate RESEARCH REPORT). Ms. Harriet Swedlund, Director of International Programs, also visited briefly in June 1997. / A delegation from Yunnan Normal University came to South Dakota in September 1999. While on campus, signatures were placed on a revised agreement extending the relationship. See YUNNAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY OFFICIAL VISIT, a separate report of events of this visit. / The SDSU Office of International Programs, collaborating with the Foreign Affairs office at YNU, twice conducted Seminar Abroad in China. A group of 17 from SDSU led by President Peggy Gordon Miller, Provost and Vice President Carol J. Peterson and Dr. David Hilderbrand traveled to Kunming in 2000. A group of 7 faculty members led by David and Jan Evans with one student traveled in 2002. Reports of their activities are included with the collection of China material.

In 1968, the South Dakota State Legislature created the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education and specified that one of the first and most important duties was to develop and Academic Master Plan. A committee was formed in June 1969 with seven study groups to develop a master plan. The groups were designated to study admissions, building needs, retention's and transfers, enrollment, financial aid, faculty salaries, and working conditions. The group responsible for studying academic programs and the roles of each institution was known as Committee D. / The plan made many recommendations which applied to public higher education in South Dakota which did not create much controversy. However, a matter which caused major concern on the SDSU campus was the fate of the College of Engineering. The Committee recommended that the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology absorb the SDSU College of Engineering for a projected cost savings of $200,000. This created controversy across the state of South Dakota.

Hobo Day is the homecoming celebration for South Dakota State University and includes a parade through campus, Downtown Brookings, a Jackrabbits football game, and many unique traditions. The first Hobo Day occurred on November 2, 1912. Homecoming thrives at South Dakota State University and is the largest one-day event in the state. The return of alumni to their alma mater for a weekend of football, fun, and memories has flourished and grown over the decades, embodying the essence of Jackrabbit Pride.

Beginning in 1971, the Florence and Geraldine Fenn Scholarship was offered to students in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Geraldine Fenn had created this scholarship as a memorial to her sister Florence. / The scholarship offers students an opportunity to learn about other ways of life by spending six weeks living and working in inner city Denver. The students were given a limited amount of money to use for their expenses to teach them about low-income lifestyles. They were required to find their own housing and learn to use the Denver bus system. The students generally worked for the Denver welfare office and various shelters and daycare in the city. The scholarship was usually given to two to four students per summer.

Dr. Ethel Austin Martin graduated from SDSU in 1916 and went on to do graduate work at Columbia University and the University of Chicago. She taught at several institutions before joining the National Dairy Council in 1929, where she served as Director of Nutrition Services until her retirement. Dr. Martin was a distinguished nutritionist who was instrumental in developing research grant programs, instituting nutrition conferences, founding journals, and writing several nutrition textbooks. / Before her death in 1993 at age 100, she established an endowment at South Dakota State University with the ultimate objective of providing for a permanent professorship to ensure continuing high-level instruction in the science of nutrition. Dr. Martin's goal was realized in 1997, when the Ethel Austin Martin Chair in Human Nutrition was established and subsequently filled by Dr. Bonny Specker. / The purpose of the Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition is to advance knowledge in the science of human nutrition through a multidisciplinary approach, to encourage practical applications in improving human health, and to offer professional enrichment in nutrition for all students, faculty and staff at SDSU. The advancement of knowledge in the science of human nutrition is takes place through both research and educational programs using a multidisciplinary approach. / The E.A. Martin Program advances nutrition knowledge with these campus activities: / Active research projects both within the program, as well as collaborative efforts with other investigators from SDSU and the region. / Financial support for pilot projects is provided to faculty at SDSU who propose collaborative nutrition projects that utilize a multidisciplinary approach. / Educational programs such as formal courses, as well as support for invited seminar speakers. The annual E.A. Martin Distinguished Lecture in Human Nutrition has been a long / standing tradition at SDSU, bringing in world-renowned speakers in the field of human nutrition.

The history of theater at South Dakota State University began with the formation of eight literary societies in the 1880s that eventually merged into a short-lived dramatic club in 1923. These early societies organized various farces and plays, and instituted theater traditions such as the Senior Class Play. In 1930, a new club called the Footlight club became the prominent dramatic society on campus. By 1939, plays on campus were officially under the supervision of the Forensics and Dramatics Council in the Speech Department. This council oversaw all plays in conjunction with the State Players Dramatic Club (founded in 1949).

A chapter of Alpha Psi Omega was officially organized in 1949 on the SDSU campus and was extremely active on campus in the 1950s. The first designated technical director of plays at SDSU was Lawrence Stine in 1952 and starting in 1953, SDSU student were eligible to receive college credit for participating in plays. In 1956, Broadway musicals entered the theater repertoire of SDSU, with their production of South Pacific (as one of the first non-professional group to ever run it). Summer theater productions were established at SDSU in 1956 and Rabbit Rarities and Vaudeville shows were also introduced in the 1950s.

State University Theatre eventually became a branch of the Department of Communication Studies and Theater but is also a part of the School of Preforming Arts at South Dakota State University. Plays and productions have been held in over 14 different facilities on campus with the most recent being the Doner Auditorium and the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

A chronological and conclusive history of the theatre programs at SDSU has only been recorded from 1892 – 1992. Documentation of the theater program after 1992 has been recoded but not yet complied into a conclusive history.

The first meeting of the Faculty Women's Club was held at the home of Mrs. Elwood C. Perisho, wife of the president of South Dakota State College. She called some of the faculty women and wives of faculty men together to propose establishing an organization that would form a relationship between women of the faculty and women students. The purpose of the group was to bring about a closer acquaintance between faculty women and women students and to help them in many specific ways. At the same time, the organization was to promote social enjoyment among women of the club.

There were many ideas suggested for the organization of the club, with four standing committees eventually adopted. One of the committees was a student loan fund committee. An extension committee brought useful programs to club members and sent information about State College to out-of-town girls. Since there was no student health service on campus, a hospital bed committee was created. Finally, a Faculty Mother Committee was established. In this committee, faculty housewives were assigned a group of girls to call on and entertain informally. This was later dropped for lack of interest and a Courtesy Committee was added in its place.

In the 1920's, the Faculty Women's Club was very active. By 1926, there were three standing committees, Student Loan, Courtesy, and a Calling Committee. Of particular interest and value was the work of the Student Loan Committee. Money was raised for the fund through various benefits, teas, bake sales, motion pictures concessions, graduation night collections, etc. Loans were advanced to those in need and a small interest payment was added to the repayment schedule.

Although club members were involved with mostly campus activities, they were also concerned with city affairs. In the early 1920's, the club worked with the Civic League to ask for a city garbage disposal system and a program to beautify the depot grounds. They also set up an employment center where students could be hired as domestics doing housework and babysitting.

The 1930's were lean years for Faculty Women's Club. Club members kept busy trying to build up and maintain the loan fund. The club's loan fund was secured by a bond. During this era, the group branched out from its recreational programs and added programs on international affairs and travel lectures. They assisted in organizing the Girl Scouts in Brookings and worked to help needy children. They continued to service the college by entertaining women attending the annual Farm and Home Week conference and initiating May Day festivities.

Faculty Women's Club members served the World War II effort with Red Cross work, filling kit bags and buying war bonds and stamps. The wives of men involved in the Army Administration School on campus were welcomed in the club. Interest groups were started and included needlework, dramatics, book reviews, and recreation. An auxiliary group, the Newcomers Club, was organized. Wives of new faculty men and new women faculty members were eligible for membership in the club for three years.

In 1953-54, Faculty Women's Club favored the establishment of an art center and museum on the campus of South Dakota State College. They started a building fund and appointed a committee to work out a long-term plan for the project. By the 1960s, the club had turned over thousands of dollars toward the art center project. It was also during this time that the student loan fund was united with the college loan fund program.

In the 1970's, the club started having more interest groups, like horticulture, gourmet cooking, and antiques. They stopped having monthly meetings and began to meet only three or four times a year. The awarding of scholarships was transferred to the financial aid office on campus by the 1980s. The club continued to evolve throughout the 1990's. By the late 1990's, the Faculty Women's Club evolved into the SDSU Club and began to include men in its membership.

The Army Administration Schools, Enlisted Branch No. 3 at South Dakota State College was organized December 3, 1942. As the name implies, the school originally set out to train clerks for general army administration duty in the Air Corps. A total of eleven such classes were graduated. On May 19, 1943, the classification course was added. The course consisted principally of classification subjects, however, some administration subjects were included for those students also. A total of six classes were graduated from this section of the school.

The Army Administration School students enjoyed jointly all of the facilities of South Dakota State College with the college students. The Army Administration School completely occupied the Central Building, Old North Building, East Men's Hall, West Men's Hall and Wecota Annex. An exchange was maintained in East Men's Hall for the convenience of the men. The health of the command was administered by local doctors; thus releasing medical officers for other duties.

A great deal of emphasis was placed on close order drill and orderly movements of the students from class to class. Retreat parades were a weekly event and several were in honor of dignitaries who visited the campus. Open and closing exercises were held in the college auditorium for each class. The personnel of the school assisted in the fall harvest of 1943 in the surrounding farming communities of Brookings, which was facing a shortage of civilian help for harvest needs.

The Jerome J Lohr College of Engineering has requested to reorganize and rename the Department of Construction and Operations Management to the Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management. This name and organization change reflects a program move of Operations Management to the Ness School of Management and Economics (in alignment with SDSU’s AACSB accreditation effort) and clear labeling of the academic home of the growing Concrete Industry Management program at SDSU. This change is effective July 1, 2024.

The Athenian Literary Society was first organized in 1888, as a branch of the literary society known as Lyceum. The Athenians were chartered by the last session of the Dakota Territorial Legislature in 1888. At that time, membership was limited to men only, but this restriction was soon removed and women were admitted with full membership privileges. The purpose of the Society was to develop its members in oratory, debate, and extemporaneous speaking and to promote social activities. The weekly meeting consisted of essays, debates, extemporaneous speaking, declamations, games and music.

The Native American Club was first organized in 1992 under Jack Marken, the Head of the English Department. The Native American Club has four main objectives. First, the Native American club hosts prospective Native American Students. Second, the club provides academic support to Native American students in the form of tutoring. Third, the club provides a space for Native American students to take part in their culture. Fourth, the club provides cultural awareness programs and activities to the South Dakota State University and Brookings communities.
The Native American Club has held many activities and events including hand games tournaments, Indian taco sales, basketball tournaments, and Indigenous conferences, however, the Native American Club is best known for their establishment of the South Dakota State University Wacipi. The Native American Club held their first contest Wacipi in 1977. They did not hold another contest Wacipi until 1990, which then became an annual Native American Club event.
In 2015 the name of the Native American Club changed to the American Indian Student Association. The main objectives of the association downsized after the name change. The American Indian Student Association no longer hosted Native American Students or provided tutoring, but the association continues to provide a welcoming space for Native American students and provides cultural awareness programs.

Little International is a two-day agricultural exposition planned, organized, and implemented by students at South Dakota State University for the benefit of high school and college students. Little International is considered the largest two-day agricultural exposition in the country. The exposition provides students with an opportunity to compete in judging contests, showmanship competitions, and fitting challenges. / Little International has been presented every year since 1921 with only three exceptions. In 1926, it was canceled due to the Scarlet Fever epidemic, and 1944–1945 it was canceled because of World War II. The first Little I was patterned after the Chicago International Livestock Exposition and was held on campus in what is now the Agricultural Heritage Museum. In 1952, Little International was moved to what is now called the Intramural Building. In 1977 it was moved to where it is held today, the Animal Science Arena in. During the week prior to Little International, the student staff prepares the Arena for the exposition. This includes erecting the famous red barn and white fence, adding bleachers, and dying the wood chips green for the show ring. Also, each member of the staff is responsible for ensuring that the specific task of the committee they sit on is accomplished, whether that task is livestock judging or the event schedule. / Little International serves both high school and college students alike. The exposition provides a fun and competitive opportunity for students to develop and refine skills essential for lifelong success in agriculture. Through Little International, students can utilize the two day event, not just as an opportunity to improve their showmanship, fitting, or judging skills, but also to develop time management skills, responsibility, hard work and personal pride—not to mention the networking possibilities and the fun had by all involved with Little International.

D. Theodore Schultz was South Dakota State University's only graduate to have been awarded a Nobel Prize. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979 for his theory of investing in human capital. The committee was organized to remember Schultz with a number of campus events or activities the would celebrate Dr. Schultz's feat.

The South Dakota Nurses’ Association was formed on July 11, 1916 as the South Dakota State Association of Graduate Nurses. At this first meeting in Rapid City, only seventeen nurses were present. The SDNA became the forty-third constituent group of the American Nurses Association, which had been created in 1901. The new members selected Mrs. Elizabeth Dryborough to be the first President. / In 1929, the organization’s name was changed to its present one of the South Dakota Nurses’ Association. At this time, the district system of organization was also introduced. The state was divided into three districts, one west of the Missouri River and two east. The divisions would remain this way until 1957, when the state was reorganized into the thirteen districts that are used today. / The South Dakota Nurses’ Association has worked to improve the quality of nursing care in South Dakota since its creation in 1916. The first project the organization worked on was the creation of a Nurse Practice Act for South Dakota which would set educational standards for nursing schools and create a state examining board to oversee the licensure of nurses. This act was passed by the 1917 legislature and created what became the present-day South Dakota Board of Nursing. / The SDNA has been involved in many other projects to improve nursing care. They have been very involved in the debates over what level of education should be required to become a nurse and over whether or not practicing nurses should be required to take continuing education classes. They have been very active in lobbying the legislature to try to get health care bills passed. Through the years they have given nurses in the state a chance to learn new techniques and share experiences through conventions, workshops, and classes. They also publish a periodical called the South Dakota Nurse, which provides another way for nurses to keep up with changes in the profession.

When the South Dakota Resources Coalition was organized in the early 1970's, the environmental movement in the United States was young. While many national organizations and individuals had been involved in the "conservation" issues for years, the nation did not stir itself environmentally until after 1967. This year marked the beginning of federal laws and energetic efforts by the newly created United States Environmental Protection Agency not only to cope with rapidly expanding jurisdiction and authority, but also to build a constituency across the nation.

In the spring of 1972, Governor Richard Kneip "wanted something done about giving the scattered groups interested in the environment a politically viable voice." At that time, Esther R. Edie was secretary of South Dakotans for a Quality Environment, a local Brookings group. This group had been sending letters to the governor complaining about various aspects of state natural resource policy, specifically water resources management. A meeting was arranged with Edie, Dan Bucks, and Ted Muenster, executive assistants to the governor. Edie was asked to bring together the citizens' groups. The governor offered in return to co-sponsor a symposium on environmental issues as a kick-off for the new organization. He would be present to open the symposium and his office would help with publicity. Furthermore, he would guarantee the participation of "any state bureaucrat" for the symposium.

The South Dakota Environmental Symposium was held September 28, 1972, with Governor Kneip welcoming about 80 participants. The keynote speaker was Dave Trauger, head of the Iowa Environmental Coalition. Panels and workshops led by state officials and others were held on the state water plan, the Missouri River and Big Sioux River designation projects, Black Hills Forest policies and practices, recycling, air quality, and formation of an environmental organization.

Following the symposium, the South Dakota Environmental Coalition immediately became involved in the issues. On the state level, the Oahe irrigation project was its focus. On the national level, the Clean Air Act, the Water Pollution Control Amendments, and the Trans-Alaska pipeline were areas of concern. The group held its first annual meeting May 5, 1973, on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls.

By the end of 1973, several groups from across South Dakota were members. They included South Dakotans for a Quality Environment, the South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Dakota Environmental Council, Brookings County National Formers Organization, James Valley Nature Club, the South Dakota Lung Association, the South Dakota State University Wildlife Management Club, Center for Community Organization and Development, Community Recyclers of Usable Discards, Save the Black Hills, and the state League of Women Voters.

In 1978, the group changed its name to South Dakota Resources Coalition to reflect more accurately its broad concerns. It also was incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt organization. In 1982, the board set up a separate corporation, The South Dakota Resources Protection Fund, to raise and dispense funds for lobbying.

Through the years, South Dakota Resources Coalition has sponsored or co-sponsored many public education programs and other special events. The first, in 1973, was a four-part public television series titled "Who Shall Control the Land?" Some extensive projects were carried out with grants from the United States EPA. The first grant, in 1974, was for a water quality institute to train local government officials and other community leaders in implementation of the federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972. In 1978-79, another grant gave the group an opportunity to make a film in cooperation with South Dakota Public Television titled "The Invisible Thief." This film focused on water pollution for non-point sources. This grant also helped to fund an insert on water quality for Eco Forum, the group's newsletter.

South Dakota Resources Coalition has been represented on a number of citizen’s advisory committees appointed by the executive branch the state government. Some of these include the South Dakota Futures Program, Citizens and Community Advisory Committee on the Oahe Project, Citizens Advisory Committee for Statewide Water Quality Management Planning, and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Toxic Air Regulations.

South Dakota Resources Coalition has been involved in lobbying on a long list of national issues. It has also been a participant in regional environmental programs like the Great Plains Environmental Conference and the Missouri River-Great Plains Caucus.

Throughout its history, South Dakota Resources Coalition has maintained its place as a leader in the South Dakota environmental movement. Its work on issues such as water quality, waste disposal, and mining suggest that it will continue to be a player in the years to come.

The South Dakota Social Science Association was an organization of professional sociologists and students from colleges and universities in South Dakota. The association sponsored an annual meeting, several annual paper competitions, award ceremonies, and an academic journal. The annual meeting was a place where members could meet, exchange ideas, and present new research or papers in the field of Sociology. This organization became defunct in the 1980's.

South Dakota State University has an important history of faculty governance. In 1946, the faculty formed a Faculty Association to promote faculty interests and faculty welfare. Although it was not a decision-making body, the association had some influence on university policy and decision-making. By the mid-1960's, however, faculty had begun to request a more official role in campus politics. After much discussion, they voted to form an Academic Senate, to be implemented in 1970. The Faculty Association assisted in the transition, and then disbanded in 1972. / The Senate was created to be a representative voice for faculty, researchers, campus-based extension specialists, and non-teaching professional staff. Other institutions have governance bodies, but the Academic Senate at South Dakota State University is unique in composition, authority and focus. / The Academic Senate is an elected body through which the faculty expresses its concerns for the welfare of the university community, develops and disseminates ideas for university improvement, stimulates communication, contributes to the formation of general university policy, and performs those duties and functions especially allocated to or assumed by the faculty, subject to the limitation imposed by the laws of the State of South Dakota and the rules of the Board of Regents. Constitutional authority is granted for policy formulation and approval of academic affairs, faculty affairs, student affairs and senate affairs.

In 1889, before statehood had been achieved in South Dakota, 16 members of the class of 1889 met following commencement exercises, they formed the Dakota Agricultural College Alumni Association. / Those early graduates of what would become the state’s largest university came together “for the purpose of preserving a feeling of unity and fellowship between the several graduates and for the purpose of cementing more closely the bonds existing between the alumni and their Alma Mater.” / The first effort to keep the graduates in touch with the association occurred in 1908-09 under Chairperson Prof. B.T. Whitehead. In that year, two letters were sent out to graduates by the association. In 1910, the Alumnus was started with Hubert B. Mathews as editor. The Alumnus would lay the ground work for the Alumni Associations current publication STATE Magazine. Another major role the Alumni Association in the early years was the establishment and support of Hobo Day activities in 1912. / One of the major tasks undertaken by the association began in 1962 when the SDSC Alumni Association passed a resolution advocating the change of South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts to South Dakota State University. “The success of the name change movement was largely due to the activities of the Alumni Association and its members,” said Art Sogn ’47, past chairperson of the Alumni Association. The idea of a permanent, separate headquarters for the Alumni Association was discussed in the early 1970s. During a nine-year period, the association had been located in five different offices. At an Alumni Council meeting June 23, 1973, with new chairperson Deane Antoine presiding, Keith Jensen, Alumni Association President & CEO, presented a proposal for an Alumni Center. Dedication of the Tompkins Alumni Center was held at the Alumni Days summer reunion June 12, 1976. / In June 1980, the SDSU Alumni Board of Directors, decided to explore the cost of building a patio area originally planned with Tompkins Alumni Center. It was suggested by Chad Kono, the Association’s President and CEO, that the patio be designed to include a clock tower that would house the Old North Clock donated to the University by the classes of 1922 and 1923. Later the bell from Old Central, which had been removed from Coughlin Campanile, was added. / In 1992 the Alumni Association became an independent 501 c (3) Non-profit corporation and in 2000 the Alumni Association began a major fundraising effort, called the Return to Glory campaign. This campaign raised funds to restore our prairie icon, the Coughlin Campanile. After the restoration work was complete, the re-dedication of the Campanile took place on September 22, 2001. In 2006 the Association got “on line” with a web site and electronic newsletter. / In 2008 a legislative advocacy group, the Jackrabbit Advocates, was formed to allow dedicated alumni to represent the independent voice of the Alumni Association in a strong collaborative partnership with South Dakota State University as they work with elected officials for the betterment of public higher education. / In 2010 a renovation of Tompkins Alumni Center was completed including the Paul Freeburg ’33 Archives Room located in the lower level of the center. Alumni are encouraged to visit their alumni home when they return to campus.

The American Indian and Indigenous Studies program is designed to provide students with a broadened knowledge of Indigenous values and communities in the United States. The program focuses on the past and present understanding of Indigenous people with an emphasis on making a better future for Indigenous people and this program. Course in this program focus on Indigenous histories, languages, arts, issues, sovereignty, contemporary situations. Being a small program, students can identify their interest and do undergraduate research on topics that interest them. Students that complete the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program will receive a Bachelors of Arts Degree and can go on serve Indigenous people in tribal or federal agencies. Studying Indigenous experiences promotes understanding of Indigenous culture and helps respond to the need for multicultural awareness. In 1994 the minor changed names to the American Indian Studies minor, which is the same year Lakota language courses were starting to be offered. In 2013, South Dakota State University started offering a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies under the American Indian Studies program. The major and minor still work to provide a more well-rounded understanding of American Indian experiences. In 2021, the programs name was changed to the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program under the current American Indian Studies coordinator Mark Freeland.

Administrative interest and support for varsity athletics was non-existent in the early history of South Dakota State College. This situation was not unique at South Dakota State but very similar to the attitude that existed at other land-grant colleges. College administrators looked upon competitive athletics as frivolous, dangerous and unnecessary pursuits, which were totally incompatible with the philosophy and objectives of higher education. It was left to students interested in competitive athletics to provide the leadership, organization and administration of early athletic endeavors. / Football was organized in the fall of 1885 and like baseball, track and field participation was of the intramural nature. Early athletic endeavors usually found competition between classes or divisions within the college. / Before the turn of the century, intercollegiate athletic competition included a variety of sports and activities: baseball, football, track and field, tennis, bicycle races and oratorical contests were all popular. It is claimed that athletic contests among colleges actually got started as the result of oratorical contests. Contestants in state oratorical competition decided that the value of their meet might be enhanced by the inclusion of some form of physical endeavor. / One of the major obstacles in the development of early athletics was the disregard of the necessity for hiring a coach. Older students or an interested volunteer from the faculty often coached early teams. / The year 1922 marked a new era for South Dakota State athletic teams as the North Central Conference had been formed. Dr. Harry Severin, Professor of Zoology at South Dakota State, played an important role in the formation and administration of the conference and served continuously for 40 years as conference secretary. The first championship contested by the conference was won by South Dakota State College. / South Dakota State University has been very active in intercollegiate athletics since the 1920s. In addition to a great deal of success in North Central conference participation, SDSU has pioneered and promoted many new sports such as: wrestling, gymnastics, field hockey, swimming, and a variety of outstanding sports clubs. / South Dakota State University became an active member of NCAA Division I, starting at the beginning of the 2008-09 academic year.

South Dakota State University has always served as a training ground for educators, although in the earliest years this was not a primary function of the university. Many of the earliest graduates went on to become teachers, and many students taught rural school during college breaks. The first formal department for the preparation of teachers was organized as the Department of Latin and Pedagogy in 1904. In 1906, this department was reorganized as the Department of Philosophy, and courses such as history of education and methods of teaching joined philosophy and psychology offerings. In 1913, a Department of Education was created, and professional courses were added to the curriculum. In 1924, when the various departments were organized into divisions, the Department of Education was grouped with the General Science Division, which later became the College of Arts and Science. The College of Arts and Science administered education until 1975, when it became an autonomous unit called the Division of Education. In 1989, the division was organized into the College of Education and Counseling to serve as the coordinating unit for all professional education programs at South Dakota State University.
The College of Education and Counseling merged with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to form the College of Education and Human Sciences. This college is home to 15 majors and 22 minors offering programs in consumer sciences, counseling and human development, health and nutritional sciences, and teaching, learning and leadership.

In 1935, at the request of the South Dakota Nurses’ Association, a department of nursing was established under the Division of Pharmacy with Leila Given as director, who served until 1939. The first degree was granted to Rachel Hasle in 1936. During the following years, under the leadership of Martha Krause (1939-1943), and later R. Esther Erickson (1943-1954), the program broadened but continued to be a five-year program with Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls furnishing the clinical experiences.

The year 1952 witnessed the inauguration of the four-year program with three faculty. Sioux Valley Hospital remained the clinical experience center, but now the experience was jointly controlled by South Dakota State College and Augustana College. Public Health and Rural Nursing were added to the curriculum in 1954. In 1955, Helen Gilkey was appointed director, the Sioux Valley Hospital contracts were terminated and new areas were developed at Watertown, Madison, and Rapid City in South Dakota and at the Charles T. Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1956, the Department of Nursing became the Division of Nursing with Helen Gilkey as the first dean. In 1957, the Division of Nursing moved from the Administration Building to remodeled quarters in the Old Engineering Building (Solberg Hall).

National accreditation was granted the Division of Nursing in May 1960. This accreditation has been continuously maintained according to high standards of quality education established by the National League for Nursing.

In 1964, South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University and nursing became a College of Nursing. Following that, the Board of Regents established the three departments in the college of Nursing: Nursing, Health Science and Continuing Education. The Department of Nursing and the Department of Health Science were established in 1965. In August 1969, the College of Nursing moved to the new Home Economics-Nursing Building. This move represented great strides in nursing, providing needed classroom and laboratory space in addition to innovative audiovisual facilities. The Department of Health Science offered a major as well as a minor to students interested in the health sciences. The public health science curriculum was designed for students who wanted training in administration, food, sanitation and environmental health. The Department of Continuing Education made available workshops and seminars for nurses, nursing home administrators and other medical support personnel.

The year 1977, after study and analysis of clinical opportunities in South Dakota, all clinical aspects of the program were returned to South Dakota. In the fall of 1977, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved a plan for a Master of Science program to be developed at South Dakota State University. The Regents also approved a plan for the College of Nursing to offer its major at an extended off-campus site – West River Area – so that RN’s in that area of the state could earns their BS degrees in nursing.

During the 1978-79 year, funding was made available for the West River RN Upward Mobility Program. Additional funding was provided by the Legislature for the 1979-80 year. In 1979, the College of Nursing received a grant from the Advanced Nurse Training Program, Division of Nursing, DHEW, for the purpose of developing and implementing the master’s program. This funding was augmented by an appropriation by the Legislature for the 1979-80 fiscal year.

According to the 1996-1998 General Catalog, the College of Nursing now consists of four departments: Undergraduate Nursing, Graduate Nursing, Research and Special Services and West River Nursing. Students can earn a BS or MS degree with a major in Nursing. A Health Science Minor is also available for students who wish to gain knowledge in the areas of health, health care programs, health education, epidemiology, and occupational health. Both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at South Dakota State University are approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and are accredited by the National League for Nursing. The College is a member agency in the National League for Nursing Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs, American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Midwest Alliance in Nursing.

South Dakota State University’s College of Nursing has the broad goal of improving health care and the overall quality of life in the state, the region and the nation. It strives to reach this goal through the education of health care, professionals, through provision of expertise and consultative services to the health care system of the state and through research to impact the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act. This act proposed to set up a system of general demonstrations throughout the country, and the agent in the field of the department and the college provided agricultural information to the rural population.

The basic elements of extension had their inception during the late 1880's when farmers in the area began calling on agricultural experts at the college to talk to them and show them the best methods for raising crops. Farmers' Institutes, the first regular meetings that were held in 1888, were the medium through which such information was communicated. These institutes had grown out of local farmers' organizational gatherings in the Territory since about 1880. The institutes were held both at the college and throughout the state, the attendance of South Dakota Agricultural College [SDAC] faculty members at these assemblages being authorized by the Regents and Trustees.

In 1889 and in 1891 the Legislature enacted laws providing for state assistance to Farmers' Institutes. The Board of Trustees for the Agricultural College was authorized to conduct the institutes at different places in the state. In 1894, the state government began making appropriations for these meetings although the money available was too small to have much effect. Many local communities decided to take over this financial responsibility. After the Smith-Lever Act was enacted, the Farmers' Institutes were discontinued.

In 1912, a county agent was appointed to serve Brown County. The agent was named under a cooperative agreement among the Better Farming Association, the United States Department of Agriculture, and South Dakota State College. In 1913, additional counties took up county agent work and in 1914, Dean G. L. Brown signed, on behalf of the college, a memorandum of agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]. Through the Smith-Lever Act, this provided for contributions to extension funds by the federal government, the state of South Dakota, and local communities. State College contracted to maintain a Division of Extension, and the USDA agreed to provide a States' Relation Service to administer the funds and cooperate with extension work. Either the college or the Department of Agriculture could nullify this arrangement.

At first, considerable personal service was given farmers and homemakers. Later the trend was toward working with organizational groups. There was once a close tie between Extension and the Farm Bureau Federation. The Farm Bureau had been started with the specific purpose of cooperating with extension work. The state College Extension Service took an active role in organizing Farm Bureaus in the state. During the 1920's, other agricultural organizations began to challenge this intimate relationship. Their argument was that the county agent was a public servant and that it should not be part of his job to promote organizations, which frequently espoused public policies of a controversial character. However, it was not until 1935 that the Farm Bureau ceased to be the official cooperating organization with extension.

Club and home demonstration work have been two major areas of the Extension Service. Boys' and girls' club work began in 1913 and was subsequently assisted by Smith-Lever funds. This legislation further provided for home demonstration work. Before that time, homemakers' clubs had been held in connection with Farmers' Institutes. Several women had been employed in the Extension Service as demonstrators prior to the appointment of the first regular home demonstration agent. Among the early topics at home demonstration meetings were poultry raising, use of the fireless cooker, clothing, and food values. Changing technology and economic conditions have caused subjects to vary.

ontributions of specialists have supplemented those of county agents. From the first, the college undertook to supply specialized as well as general agricultural information to those writing for it, but farmers felt the need for personal interviews and demonstration in highly technical problems as well as the more generalized subjects that were the province of county agents. Shortly after the Smith-Lever Act went into effect, a dairy specialist became the extension department's first specialist. Extension has had specialists in wide areas, including breeding, farm records, and farm building construction. / The overall mission of the Cooperative Extension Service is to disseminate and encourage the application of research-generated knowledge and leadership techniques to individuals, families and communities in order to improve agriculture and strengthen the South Dakota family and community. The Cooperative Extension Service is the off-campus informal educational function of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The service extends the South Dakota State University campus to every community and the advantages of higher education to all people. The extension staff is dedicated to the task of assisting individuals and groups to meet the challenges of change in farming, ranching, marketing, the home, state and nation. They use the press, radio, television, satellite, interactive audio-visual, educational publications, group methods, and individual contacts to inform and teach. Through its extension agents and specialists, the Cooperative Extension Service disseminates the findings of research and encourages the application of knowledge to solution of problems encountered in everyday living across the entire state.

Courses related to agricultural engineering and the application of engineering principles to farming have always been taught at South Dakota State University. The first formal department to teach such courses was called the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering. This department effectively combined civil and agricultural engineering course work, and the name was subsequently changed to the Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering in 1902. In 1925, a separate Department of Agricultural Engineering was established in the Division of Agriculture, but students were required to take some basic courses through the Division (now College) of Engineering. Today the department is administered through both the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and the College of Engineering. In 1999, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved the addition of "Biosystems Engineering" to the department name Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. / Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is the science of engineering applied to the facilities and processes of agriculture and related industries. The curriculum includes foundation courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry with engineering emphasis in a wide variety of technical areas. These technical areas include natural resource management, irrigation and drainage, water resources development, machine dynamics and design, machine vision, agricultural power, electrical power utilization, properties and processing of biological materials, environmental control for livestock, control and disposal of agricultural wastes, agricultural structures, computers, and instrumentation. Courses are also offered in the fields of meteorology, climatology, and micro-climatology to interested engineers and students in other colleges. / Agricultural Systems Technology is another aspect of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. It is designed to give broad training in the agricultural sciences and the technologies appropriate to agriculture and its associated industries.

In 1887, the Department of Horticulture and Forestry was first established as a unit in the college and the newly organized experiment station. The department was one of the original departments of the college. Early research was involved with windbreak trees, orchard fruits, small fruits, vegetables and ornamental trees and shrubs and was put to practical use throughout South Dakota. Research in horticulture, forestry, and landscape design and parks management has continued to be an integral part of the department throughout the years. In the mid-1980's, the department name was changed to Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks. The Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks offers instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with majors in horticulture, landscape design, and park management. The department was merged with the Department of Plant Science in the summer of 2011.

Although recognized since the establishment of South Dakota State University as an essential part of a liberal education, foreign language instruction was sporadic and, at times, nonexistent during the early years. Around 1901, Modern Languages became a regular department. French and German programs were developed, but Latin suffered an early demise, disappearing as a college subject after 1909 and from the Preparatory Department after 1911. The years of 1916-1921 were years of great importance. The courses in German and French had good attendance, and the staff was well qualified. Due to World War I, however, German was dropped in 1917 and was not taught again until 1930, consequently, Spanish was introduced. / In the 1950's, a Russian program was initiated and a composite BS Degree in Foreign Languages was approved. The 1960's saw growth of the Department of Modern Languages in both the laboratory and enrollment. A composite BA Degree in Modern Languages was approved and BA and BS Degrees were approved in French, German, Russian and Spanish. In 1969, Russian was dropped and was not taught again until the 1990's. / The Department of Modern Languages & Global Studies has as its primary mission the undergraduate teaching of languages, literature's, and cultures to South Dakota State University students, both as majors and minors, and offering service courses for all other degrees on campus. The department aspires to offer to students the best preparation possible for their future careers in the fields of their choice, so they will be proficient speakers of the target language, cross-culturally competent and critical thinkers. In addition, the department follows a strong tradition of service within the community, the state of South Dakota and beyond. Faculty in the department combine these two areas with research and scholarship in related disciplines, from research on cultural studies and literature, to the scholarship of teaching and learning, to the dissemination of their specialized knowledge to different constituencies, especially language teachers.

Human nutrition and foods courses have been a part of the home economics curriculum since the beginning of South Dakota State University. The earliest cooking courses broadened into foods courses and by 1907, dietetic courses joined the curriculum. By 1918-19, the catalog states that course work prepared students to work in institutions and the cafeterias in the dormitories were used for laboratory experiences. / In 1924, when the divisional organization of South Dakota State College was completed, the Foods and Nutrition department was established. / The Agricultural Experiment Station funded the first nutrition and foods research. This added an important dimension to the Food and Nutrition Department. Through the years, the curriculum saw many major revisions and was constantly under review to provide courses that had contemporary relevance to the various majors. / In 1955, a program in restaurant management was started. Today, the Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management program provides a firm foundation in both lodging and food service operational management supported by a strong background in business and economics. On-the-job work experience for practicum credit strengthens the academic program. Students are prepared for management careers in hotels, motels, restaurants, private clubs, airlines, and food services in various industrial, health care and school facilities. The dietetics program has seen many changes over the years. Some of these changes include admission to a Dietetic Coordinated Undergraduate Program and eligibility to take the Dietetic Registration Examination upon completion of their undergraduate program. Today, the Nutrition and Food Science-Dietetics Option prepares students for a variety of jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, public health agencies, industries, schools, universities, the armed services, and state, national and international organizations. Through the program in dietetics, students develop understanding and competency in food, nutrition, and management of a dietary department. The curriculum is approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Completion of an internship at one of approximately 155 sites in the U.S. or other ADA approved experience qualifies the student to take the registration exam. / In 1966, food science was added as an option for students. Students in this major had the opportunity to use a variety of equipment and facilities available for teaching and research. Today, the Nutrition and Food Science-Food Science Option prepares students for professional positions in the food processing industry or for graduate study in food science. The program of study is firmly based upon chemistry and the biological sciences. Students find employment as entry-level professionals in the food industry and various federal and state regulatory agencies. / The Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Hospitality offers the Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management and Nutrition and Food Science (Dietetics and Food Science options) and a minor in Nutrition.

The first catalog of the college, 1884-1885, listed political economy as a course of instruction. Political economy was a common 19th century composite subject, which included not only political science and economics, but sociology as well. During the 1890's, departmental grouping began to be formed and political science courses were included in a succession of departments. In 1905, the Department of History and Political Science was created. This was the administrative home for these two disciplines until they were split in 1967. / Political science courses are designed to achieve several objectives: 1) convey the values and tradition of our democratic governmental institutions and processes and encourage students to assert their talents in preserving and nurturing those values and traditions through participation in the body politic; 2) promote global awareness and understanding; 3) engender critical thinking and a high proficiency in communication skills; 4) serve the other social sciences as a cognate field; 5) provide the student majoring in political science with foundation and advanced courses in the many sub-disciplines of political science which, in turn, will contribute to the student's intellectual growth and occupational pursuits. / Political Science is now merged into the Department of Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

The South Dakota State University Economics Club is a chapter of “The Student Section of the American Farm Economic Association”, which was founded in 1910. The Club adopted its constitution in 1955. The Club has three goals: to stimulate interest in the profession of Economics and related fields, foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual helpfulness among students in the Social Sciences, and provide an opportunity for wider acquaintances among students and professional workers in the Social Sciences. Membership consists of students actively interested in Economics and allied Social Sciences, as well as Economics graduate students and personnel of the teaching, research, and extension staff of Economics.

The mission of Engineering Extension is to assist the private and public sectors of the state with their technical needs for the purpose of economic development. These programs satisfy these needs: 1) Occupational safety and health surveys of the workplace for any South Dakota employers who request the service. 2) Training workshops and seminars to update skills regarding technical needs and to certify individuals who are required to work under specific government regulations (e.g. asbestos).

The primary function of the Environmental Health and Safety Office is to assist campus personnel in making South Dakota State University [SDSU] a safe learning and working environment for faculty, staff, and students. The office has the responsibility to implement and enforce various regulatory codes pertaining to any such activities, either in the teaching or research environment. The office provides assistance to any department that needs help in assessing their current conditions.

The Office of Multicultural Affairs at South Dakota State University develops campus initiatives that demonstrate the valued practice and philosophy of multiculturalism within the university community. Programs and activities developed by the office promote high achievement among the increasing number of minority students at the university. The office enhances and compliments the university mission by broadening the social, cultural, educational and recreational experience of students. The Office of Multicultural Affairs offers support to student of color, implements multicultural and diversity programming, coordinates the National Student Exchange and the Minority Peer Mentor programs and assists in the recruitment of students of color. / The Minority Student Orientation is another program associated with the Office of Multicultural Affairs. This program is for new ethnic minorities (African American, Asian American, American Indian, or Latino) students attending South Dakota State University. This program gives students the opportunity to establish friendships and meet the people who will be there throughout their college education. / Cultural Organizations associated with this office include African Students' Association, Bangladesh Student's Organization, Chinese Students Association, Indian Students' Association, International Relations Club, Arabian Club, Black Student Alliance, Japanese Students' Association, Islamic Cultural Club, Malaysian Students' Association and the Native American Club. Archives related to these and other student organizations are filed under: UA 35 Student Organizations. / The Minority Peer Mentor Program is intended to help ethnic minority students make a successful academic and social transition to life at South Dakota State University and the community of Brookings, S.D. The program is designed to support the students' academic progress and social adjustment to the SDSU environment by utilizing university offices, departments, faculty, staff, programs and student organization to provide assistance, encouragement and practical experiences. / The purpose of this program is to assist the University in maintaining a consistent minority enrollment with a focus on retention and graduation by providing students with a support system that is based on a one-to-one interactive relationship between upper-class students and ethnic minority freshmen students. / The goal of the program is to develop intellectual curiosity, teach academic and time management skills, discuss cultural and diversity issues, and address personal and interpersonal concerns. / The role of a peer mentor is to act as peer advisors to their mentees. They discuss issues, concerns and/or difficulties their mentee is experiencing. Mentors will be responsible for establishing supportive relationships with participating freshmen. They provide resource information and referrals to various campus resources. Mentors serve as role models to incoming freshmen by maintaining high academic standards.

The Office of the President is responsible for regulating and overseeing the general administration of the university. Along with various administrative duties, each year the president prepares an annual report, which is delivered to the Board of Regents. This report generally includes information about past and present university affairs and policies, as well as future plans and suggestions. / Originally, the president performed most of the university's administrative duties. Presidents often were members of the faculty as well. As administrative functions became more complex, the duties of the president were spread among other administrators. The Board of Regents appoints the president of the university.

The Stakota Club was organized in the early 1940's and was originally called the Cottontails. The Cottontails were reorganized in order to establish a more unified pep organization. It was a co-ed group that was selective in its membership. The club's primary purpose was to promote pep and spirit at university basketball and football games. Dressed in navy and white, the coeds did pom-pom routines to the music of the pep band. The club also promoted school spirit by shouting along with the cheerleaders during games. The club occasionally traveled with the sport teams to away games. The Jackrabbit mascot was sponsored by this group. The Stakota Club sponsored Pep Week, which included electing a Pep King and Queen and holding an annual banquet and dance. In addition, the members served coffee after football games, helped with registration during Parents' Day and held a spring car wash. In April 1969, the Stakota Club decided to go inactive indefinitely due to lack of sufficient membership to conduct business.

The Women's Studies Program at South Dakota State University [SDSU] is an interdisciplinary program enabling the student to select courses dealing directly or indirectly with women, including the development of feminism, women's changing roles in the family, religion, the labor force, and politics. This program is particularly useful for students expecting to work with women in social work, counseling, nursing, business or education. SDSU offers a minor in this program.

Clark S. Thomas was born in rural Springfield, South Dakota on December 8, 1917. He attended South Dakota State College from 1937 to 1941 graduating with a degree in agriculture. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. He spent the years of World War II at military posts in Texas and California, and overseas in Guatemala and India. He was a farmed in rural Springfield, South Dakota retiring in 1980.

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Programs grant was called Activity V and their role was to improve institutional management and student services by networking the academic community on campus.

Audrae Eugenie Visser was born June 3, 1919 to Harry J.L. and Addie Mae (Perryman) Visser on a farm near Hurley, South Dakota. She attended country schools in Turner and Moody counties and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1938. She received degrees from Black Hills Teachers College, South Dakota State University, and the University of Denver. / Visser’s 52-year career in the field of education began with a position in the Moody County country schools from 1939 to 1943. She also taught elementary and high school students in Hot Springs, Pierre, Elkton, De Smet, and Flandreau, South Dakota, and in Windom, Verdi, and Lake Benton, Minnesota. She spent one year in Nagoya, Japan from 1954 to 1955, teaching the children of U.S. Air Force personnel stationed there. / Visser was also a poet and wrote her first poem when she was twelve years old. Her first published poem appeared in Pasque Petals, the South Dakota Poetry Society magazine when she was 21 years old. She published her first book of poetry, Rustic Roads and Other Poems, in 1961, and was appointed to be Poet Laureate of South Dakota in 1974 by Governor Richard Kneip. She published nine more volumes of poetry from 1974-1998, and also wrote the introduction to Pages Glued Apart, a book of poetry by Evelyn Winklepleck-Stuefen. Visser’s books sometimes included her own art work. / Visser’s poetry has won numerous awards, including second prize in the 1984 National Federation of State Poetry Societies contest judged by May Swenson. She also sponsored state and national poetry contests as memorials to her parents since 1976, including the Perryman-Visser scholarship for outstanding poetically-inclined students at South Dakota State University. She served as Associate Editor and Editor of Pasque Petals during the time that she was Poet Laureate and a member of the South Dakota State Poetry Society. / Audrae Visser had a son, Lou H. Guardino, and a brother, Donald. She died on October 8, 2001 in Mabank, Texas.

Richard Wahlstrom graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Husbandry. Wahlstrom then attended the University of Illinois where he earned a Master’s degree in animal nutrition followed two years later by a Ph.D. in animal nutrition. While at the University of Illinois, Wahlstrom served as a graduate assistant mainly in research. From 1951 to 1952, he pursued research with the Merck Institute of Therapeutic Research. After Merck, Wahlstrom came to South Dakota State College, hired on for researching and teaching Animal husbandry from 1952 to 1959. Wahlstrom became the Head Professor of Animal husbandry in 1959, followed by becoming Head of the Department in 1960 to 1967. Wahlstrom returned once more as the head of the department for the academic year of 1987. / Wahlstrom served in many organizations including Rotary International, First United Methodist Church, and an American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Fellow. / Wahlstrom has received many awards over the years, including being named Teacher of the Year, three times. Other awards and honors include the ASAS Animal Management Award (1976), the SDSU Gamma Signa Delta Award for Research (1980), the F.O. Butler Award for Outstanding Research (1986), the ASAS Animal Industry Service Award (1989), and the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus from SDSU (1988).