Showing 3860 results

Authority record

South Dakota State University. Engineering controversy

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota State University. Hobo Day

  • local
  • Corporate body
  • 1912-

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.

South Dakota State University. Florence and Geraldine Fenn Inner-City Scholarship

  • local
  • Corporate body
  • 1971-

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.

South Dakota State University. Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota State University. State University Theatre

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota State University. Faculty Women's Club

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

Army Administration School (Brookings, S.D.)

  • local

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.

South Dakota State University. Construction and Concrete Industry Management Department

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

Athenian Literary Society (South Dakota State College)

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota State University. American Indian Student Association

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota State University. Little International Agricultural Exposition

  • local
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota State University. Schultz Nobel Prize 30th Anniversary Committee

  • local
  • Corporate body
  • 2009

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.

Yunnan Normal University

  • fst01997412
  • Corporate body

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.

South Dakota Dairy Association

  • fst01978465
  • Corporate body

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.

Scabbard and Blade Fraternity

  • fst01977835
  • Organization

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.

Powers, William H. (William Howard) 1868-1936

  • fst01959963
  • Person
  • 1838-1936

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.

Shunk, Harold, 1907-1998

  • fst01758049
  • Person
  • 1970-1998

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.

South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. School of Agriculture

  • fst01686286
  • Corporate body
  • 1908-1960

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.

Isola, Maija

  • fst01653548
  • Person
  • 1927-2001

South Dakota Humanities Council

  • fst01617945
  • Corporate body

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.

Banks, Edgar James, 1866-1945

  • fst01466509
  • Person
  • 1866 May 23 - 1945 May 5

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.

South Dakota EPSCoR

  • fst00790900
  • Corporate body

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.

Daktronics

  • fst00790899
  • Corporate body
  • 1968-

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.”

National Association of Retired Federal Employees

  • fst00778160
  • Organization

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.

Manchester Metropoolitan University

  • fst00691687

The partnership between South Dakota State University (SDSU) and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) originated from an informal meeting between Betsy Kosier (who was the International Student Advisor at SDSU) and Diana Donald (MMU, Head of the Department of History of Art and Design) at a National Association of Foreign Student Advisors meeting sometime in the late 1980s. Following their initial meeting, Ms. Donald visited the SDSU campus. Dr. David Hilderbrand, SDSU Director of International Programs, negotiated the agreement and coordinated details under which the agreement operated at SDSU. / An agreement for exchange of faculty was signed in 1990. The student exchange agreement followed. This document is not dated, but correspondence suggests it was completed in 1992. Both documents were reviewed and renewed in 1997. / Basically, the faculty agreement encourages exchange for sabbaticals and use of the campuses for study abroad, but does not commit either institution to fund or support such efforts. The student exchange is reciprocal, a one-for-one exchange in which a visiting student replaced a host student. Each university maintains autonomy and exchange students remain on the role of their home institution. Exchange students apply for admission, enroll and pay tuition and fees at home. For SDSU students, this eliminated some of the bureaucracy associated with study overseas and control tuition and fees at the same rate as for on-campus students. The coordinator and committee responsible for the European Studies Program established the guidelines for application to study at MMU. Committee members interview candidates and select the exchange students. The European Studies coordinator assists SDSU students with course selection and early registration, monitors course changes made after arriving in England, and provides the Registrar's office with final letter grades following receipt of number scores from MMU professors. / Liaison between the institutions is primarily the responsibility of the Director of International Programs at SDSU and the Educational Advisor at MMU. Harriet Swedlund served in that capacity for SDSU from 1994 until September 2003 when Dr. Karl Schmidt was appointed Director of International Programs. The MMU liaison person during this time period was Jean Roebuck. She reported to Dr. Colin Rodgers until he retired in 2002. Dr. Christ Change now heads the International Office at MMU. / The basic agreement between South Dakota State University and Manchester Metropolitan University provided latitude for more specific agreements between colleges and departments of the two institutions. Four such agreements were completed setting forth the operational procedures and policies for specific projects. Sub-agreements include: / The College of Nursing and the Department of Health Care Studies for short term study abroad exchanges involving faculty and students. The agreement was signed August 1998 in Brookings, SD. / In 1999, following a visit by President Miller and Dr. George West, English Department head, the English Departments at both SDSU and MMU agreed to support travel costs for the exchange of department faculty members for short-term guest lectureship assignments. / An agreement for the reciprocal exchange of students between the Department of Environmental and Geographical Sciences at MMU and South Dakota State University was signed in 2002. This agreement was designed for Environmental and Geographical Sciences to warranty a degree program that included Study in America. SDSU is one of the sites where this option is available. / A similar sub-agreement for students in the MMU Department of Biological Sciences to Study in America is going through the approval process at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Women Artists in Collaboration

  • fst00683149
  • Organization
  • 1985-

Women Artists in Collaboration was created in 1985 at Brookings, South Dakota. It started out as a small group of women who had joined together when the Brookings Women's Center sponsored a presentation by women artists. Finding the collaboration stimulating, these women continued to work together. The group was made up of "whoever was willing to contribute" and changed from year to year. Friends of the Arts and the Brookings Women's Center provided funding for the group.

Altrusa International

  • fst00681568

Dr. Alfred Durham, a member of Kiwanis, founded the Altrusa Institute in Nashville in 1917. Record numbers of women were going to work during World War I. Dr. Durham saw the need for women's civic organizations. While he would organize the clubs and collect a portion of the dues, Dr. Durham envisioned the Altrusa Institute as a chain of national clubs where business and professional women could meet and exchange ideas.

Dr. Durham's idea caught on. He organized clubs in Nashville, Louisville, and Dayton before he moved on to Indianapolis where he met Mamie L. Bass.

Mamie L. Bass had served as the Superintendent of the Women's Division US Employment Services as well as being a partner in her brother's architecture firm and assisting her brother in organizing a Rotary chapter in Indianapolis. While she admired Dr. Durham's Institute, Bass felt that Altrusa could serve a higher purpose. In June 1918, when Altrusa held its first convention in Indianapolis, Mamie L. Bass's vision became reality. The Altrusa Institute became a classified service organization for women.

Now a classified service organization, the Altrusa Institute renamed itself the National Association of Altrusa Clubs and adopted By-Laws that laid the groundwork for today's Altrusan’s. Soon after, Mamie L. Bass created the Principles of Altrusa which defined Altrusa as "a builder of women" and an organization based on merit and accomplishment. The Principles were officially adopted in 1921 along with a major club building effort. By 1922, Altrusa had 20 clubs.

Since the organization required its members to be working professionals, Altrusa decided to make vocational education for women a national policy. Vocational Guidance expanded over the years to include not only scholarships and guidance for young women but older women as well.

Altrusa became international in 1935 when Altrusa organized its first club in Mexico. From that first step over US borders in 1935, Altrusa moved into` Puerto Rico, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda, Canada, and New Zealand. In 1946, Altrusa sent its first representative to the United Nations.

In the sixties, Altrusan’s began to look to America's youth as the future of Altrusa. In 1966, ASTRA was established. ASTRA service clubs target young women ages 13 to 21 and encourage them in their educations, professions and service to society. Expanding on its commitment to youth, Altrusa adopted literacy as ongoing service in 1977, and in 1997, Altrusa Foundation adopted Camp Safe Haven for children with HIV/AIDS.

The eighties and nineties brought many exciting changes to Altrusa. With the end of Communism, the former Soviet Union saw its first Altrusa clubs. With its increasingly global outlook, Altrusa expanded its projects beyond literacy and education. In 1989, Altrusa adopted a resolution to promote environmental concerns.

Today, despite issues of international concern, Altrusa is, first and foremost, a community based, grassroots organization that seeks to solve the problems in our back yards. Busy Altrusan’s raise money for local charities, volunteer at battered women's shelters, help runaway teens, build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and so much more. Inspired by Thoreau, Mamie L. Bass put it best, "it is not enough to be good; Altrusan’s must be good for something."

Altrusa clubs are grouped by districts pertaining to their geographic location. District Seven is composed of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, and Wisconsin.

Alpha Zeta

  • fst00667251
  • Organization

On February 25, 1924, the South Dakota Chapter of Alpha Zeta at South Dakota State College was chartered with 19 Charter members, as telegraphed by Harry Potter, General Secretary of Alpha Zeta. This effort began with a December 24, 1919 letter of inquiry from S.D.S.C. President Willis E. Johnson. During the application process, the applying group of approximately 25 men was called the Hopkins Club; this process included 3 failed attempts before success finally came under S.D.S.C. President C.W. Pugsley, who was a member of Alpha Zeta, as were many other S.D.S.C. faculty.

The national Fraternity of Alpha Zeta, the oldest fraternal society in agriculture, was founded on November 4, 1897 at Ohio State University and now is a global network of diverse agricultural and natural resources professionals recognizing, developing and promoting leaders with common values and integrity. Alpha Zeta’s purpose is “to promote agriculture in its broad concept while encouraging and developing its actual and potential leadership, fellowship, service and a spirit of love and fraternity are involved."

In 2016, the South Dakota Chapter of Alpha Zeta is an honorary fraternity for top students in the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences at South Dakota State University. It’s involved in many campus activities, including Career Fair, Ag Day, etc. Some of its community activities include mentoring youth, visiting nursing homes, fence-mending and invasive weed eradication at the Girl Scout’s Camp Wildwood, fund-raising for community service projects, such as the Harvest Table, the Food Pantry, etc.

Young Republican National Federation (U.S.)

  • fst00636490
  • Corporate body
  • 1931-

Founded in 1931 by Robert H. Lucas, ex. dir. of Republican National Com. for the purpose of attracting young people into Rep. Party
Members usually called Young Republicaners, most frequently drawn from college campuses
In 1934 became officially affiliated with Rep. Nat. Com.

FarmHouse Fraternity

  • fst00619238
  • Organization

FarmHouse fraternity was founded on the University of Missouri campus on April 15, 1905. It developed out of an outgrowth of friendships formed among men within the College of Agriculture to perpetuate the congenial association of the men within the college. The intention was not to found a fraternity and hence, the club chose a non-Greek name, FarmHouse, to reflect the similar interests and backgrounds of those involved, but out of this organization grew a national Greek fraternity. / The Brookings chapter of FarmHouse began in the 1950's. Their objective is to encourage the growth of a man intellectually, spiritually, socially, morally and physically. It promoted growth through providing opportunities and encouraging leadership, scholarship and fellowship. The FarmHouse fraternity is a dry house, meaning it does not allow alcohol. It is involved in many activities including adopt-a-highway and providing help to domestic abuse shelters.

South Dakota State Poetry Society

  • fst00617904
  • Corporate body
  • 1927-

The South Dakota State Poetry Society was founded by Dr. James C. Lindberg of Northern State College and formally organized in Huron on October 5, 1927 in the Marvin Hughitt Hotel. The first officers of the organization were: Dr. Lindberg, President; Gertrude B. Gunderson of Mitchell, Vice President; and Ethelyn Miller Hartwich of Huron, Secretary. The stated purpose of the society is to encourage and foster the writing and publication of poetry by South Dakota writers. The organization was registered as a Nonprofit Corporation with the South Dakota Secretary of State on September 22, 1970. / Dr. Lindberg developed the first South Dakota Poetry magazine, Pasque Petals, which was made the official publication of the poetry society at its organizing meeting. Publication began in May of 1926 and continues today. It is the oldest poetry journal in continuous publication in the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. / South Dakota State Poetry Society is directed by a board made up of nine South Dakota poets who select an editor for Pasque Petals, oversee the annual national competition of poetry, and recommend the South Dakota Poet Laureate to the Governor. The current Poet Laureate is Lee Ann Roripaugh of Vermillion. The Poet Laureate post was a lifetime appointment until a recent change in state law that sets a four-year term. Past Poet Laureates are: Badger Clark, 1928-1957; Adeline Jenny, 1958-1973; Mabel Frederick, 1973; Audrae Visser, 1974-2001; and David Allan Evans, 2002-2014.

Gamma Sigma Delta

  • fst00599236
  • Corporate body

Gamma Sigma Delta, also known as the Honor Society of Agriculture, is a professional agricultural fraternity. The South Dakota State University chapter of the society was established on May 27, 1958. The chapter encourages and recognizes high standards and achievement in agriculture. A national conclave of Gamma Sigma Delta was held at SDSU in 1974; the themes was “Agriculture in the Modern World.” The chapter was the Gamma Sigma Delta bronze runner-up in the Outstanding Chapter Award in 2010 and won the Chapter Enrichment Grant in 1998. Only one member of the chapter has won The International Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award, Dr. Oscar E. Olson won the award in 1979.

Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor

  • fst00587506
  • Corporate body

The purpose of the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor was to promote an earnest Christian life among its members, to increase their mutual acquaintance, and to make them more useful in the service of God (taken from the constitution of the society). Members consisted of active and associate members. Active members consisted of all young persons who believed themselves to be Christian and had a desire to accomplish the purpose of the society. Associate members consisted of young persons of worthy character but were not at present willing to be considered decided Christians. Associate members had the special prayers and sympathy of active members but were excused from taking part in the prayer meeting. The goal of the associate members was to become active members, according to the society's constitution.

South Dakota Memorial Art Center

  • fst00584219
  • Corporate body

The idea of an art center for South Dakota originated with the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs when Mrs. Herbert Kenyon of Yankton was state president (1947-1949). At the state convention in 1950, a resolution was approved asking that a suitable building be erected, to be known as the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs Memorial Art Center. / For fifty years the Federation had been influential in movements for the cultural development of this members and the state in which they live. The women had collected fine reproduction of painting, some originals, and art objects to be circulated and used for study by clubs. This collection was kept in Pierre in the home of Mrs. S.C. Polley, who, with several others, was active in developing the work. The Free Library Commission took over the storage when the collection became too large and had to be moved. As interest grew in these art treasures, the need for establishing a Memorial Art Center became apparent. / In December, 1948, the Pierre Women’s Club presented a resolution to the official board asking that the Federation sponsor the erection of a building, as “a memorial to the determined women who pioneered the women’s club movement in the state.” The resolution to establish such a memorial passed at the convention in Rapid City in October 1950, and a fund for the purpose was started. / To select a location, cities and institutions were asked to extend an invitation to the Federation. Five cities responded: Pierre, Huron, Spearfish, Vermillion, and Brookings. It was announced in April, 1955, that Brookings had been chosen as the site. The Regents of Education for South Dakota approved the placing of the Memorial Art Center on the State College campus on June 23, 1955. A fundraising campaign was launched and was successful in raising nearly $350,000. A federal grant of $166,666 was also obtained with the Federation contribution nearly $55,000. / Construction began in 1969 on the South Dakota State University campus and the building was dedicated in May 1970.

Kappa Delta Pi (Honor society)

  • fst00583379
  • Organization
  • 1955-

Kappa Epsilon Chi Chapter at South Dakota State University began when the Galen Society was organized in February 1955. It became a part of Kappa Epsilon on March 24, 1956 after the girls of the Galen Society met with North Dakota’s Iota Chapter of Kappa Epsilon. Twenty-one members and one advisor, Mrs. G.C. Gross, were initiated into the fraternity. / Over the years, Chi Chapter has been active on campus and within the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions. Chi Chapter has been supporting Kappa Epsilon’s national project of breast cancer awareness for many years. Traditional events and activities including participating in the SDSU Wellness Fair, collecting Yoplait yogurt lids, and distributing pink ribbons. The newest additions to Chi Chapter’s support of breast cancer awareness are the breast cancer baskets for local chemotherapy patients, the Black and Pink Party, and Relay for Life. / Chi Chapter has received several recognitions from the national fraternity over the years. Chi Chapter was recognized as the Outstanding Collegiate Kappa Epsilon Chapter in 2002-2003. Chi Chapter’s longtime advisor, Dr. Joye Billow, has received numerous recognition's over her time as advisor including the Outstanding Advisor Award, the Unicorn Award, and the Career Achievement Award. Many KE members have been recipients of the Zada M. Cooper Scholarship, and three Chi alums have received the Nellie Wakeman Graduate Fellowship.

YMCA of the USA

  • fst00578335
  • Organization

Since November 14, 1897, the Young Men's Christian Association had an active organization on the campus of South Dakota State College. It was always active and influential in student activities. The aim was to develop the individual in mind, body and spirit. It promoted the growth of Christian faith together with the furtherance of good character, citizenship and leadership. The group held weekly fellowship meeting, promoted deputation work, maintained an employment bureau, and furnished reading rooms, rest rooms and recreational facilities. The group was governed by a cabinet and its members held office for one year. / The Young Women's Christian Association was open to all young women. The aim of this group was to develop a full and creative life, spiritually and socially. It also gave an opportunity for the wholesome expression of Christian activities. This group was also governed by a cabinet and held joint meetings with the YMCA.

South Dakota Board of Regents

  • fst00571162
  • Corporate body

In 1890, the new legislature agreed to a governing board for higher education in the state. A nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the governor was established as the Regents of Education. These regents were to govern alongside each university's Board of Trustees, which had most of the power over individual institutions. / The dual system of control was carried on for six years, until the South Dakota Legislature became aware of the problems of the two-board system. In November 1896, the South Dakota Constitution was amended to name a five-member Board of Regents, which would be in control of all educational institutions in the state. / Today, after a number of further structural changes, the Board of Regents consists of nine members, including a student regent. Terms of office are for six years, with the exception of the student who serves for only two. The Board of Regents is the constitutional governing board for the six South Dakota universities and two special schools. The Board approved budgets, faculty appointments, salaries and curricula to name a few of its roles.

Society of Sigma Xi

  • fst00569815
  • Corporate body

The scientific research society, Sigma Xi, is an honorary organization whose purpose is to encourage original investigations in pure and applied sciences. / During the 1940's, a group of faculty members at South Dakota State University established what was called the Natural Science Research Club. Members met once a month to hear one of the group reports on his or her research findings. It was felt that this would expand the awareness of the faculty to research in progress on this campus, provide a broadened overview and discussion of various research projects, and encourage the faculty in their research effort by providing a show of interest in their work. / The Natural Science Research Club was a very active organization. After a few years, its members decided that they should establish themselves as a Sigma Xi Club, which would continue as it was already operating but, in addition, would have the advantages of formal outside contacts through the national Society. This was accomplished during 1952-53. / The number of Sigma Xi members increased significantly as the result of the influx of new personnel who had been granted membership at other institutions. By 1959, it was felt that the club was ready for chapter status. In 1960, a petition for chapter status was presented to the national office of the Society. Chapter status was granted in May of 1961.

Results 1 to 100 of 3860