Barry Dunn became the fourth alumnus to be president of South Dakota State University in 2016. Dunn received his B.S degree in biology in 1975, M.S. in animal science in 1977, and Ph.D. in animal science in 2000 from South Dakota State University. Between 1979 and 1996 he ran his family’s ranch near Mission, S.D. From 1997 to 2004, he was an Extension livestock specialist and an assistant professor at South Dakota State in the Department of Animal and Range Science. In 2004, he joined the faculty at Texas A&M University-Kingsville as executive director of the King Ranch Institute for Range Management. In 2010, Dunn returned to SDSU to become the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. In addition, he was also the director of SDSU Extension and a professor of animal science.

In 1965, Paul McConaughy had been searching for an inexpensive way to produce limited editions of watercolor prints. He decided to try his idea out at his alma mater and made a series of prints of Cornell University buildings. They were an instant hit and the College Watercolor Group was formed. Soon they were making inexpensive watercolor prints of college buildings from all over the country. Following the model developed by Currier & Ives more than a century before, they would make a pen and ink drawing of a building, have it reproduced on watercolor paper as an 8” x 10” lithograph and then have artists color paint each picture. Limited edition sets of 4 scenes or large prints, framed or unframed were available. / Professional artists were added to the staff, the quality greatly improved. One of the artists, E.B. Walden, began signing his pictures “Gray”, based on a watercolor hue “Davy’s Gray”. Soon, each artist began using the Gray surname but a different first name. Walden became Davis Gray, with over a dozen other artists taking the last name. From this play on names, the business became known as “Gray’s Watercolors”.

Reed “Rocky” G. Hart, Jr. was born to Reed Sr. and Marie (Johannsen) Hart on August 4, 1926, in Pipestone, Minnesota. He grew up in Pipestone and graduated from high school in 1944. After graduating from high school, he entered the United States Army and served until the end of World War II. Hart started at the University of Minnesota in 1947, where he was part of the freshman football team. He was recalled into the service of the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He returned to the University of Minnesota and graduated with a B.S. in 1955. / Hart worked on government contracts around the world, including Greenland, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands; and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He also lived in Washington, D.C.; San Diego, California; and New Orleans, Louisiana. / While employed in Kwajalein (part of the Marshall Islands) and again in Saudi Arabia, he established jogging leagues. The scrapbook “1975 Kwajalein Jogging Program” states, “October 8 [1975] Kwajalein loses Rocky Hart, bachelor status with Global Associates, [who] will be leaving for South Dakota. Rocky has been a Kwaj resident for 8½ years and during that time organized the [jogging] club in 1968 and in the last five years has organized jogs, special events for the club and he even makes all the awards and trophies himself at the Special Services Hobby Shop.” / Once he retired, Hart returned to Pipestone, Minnesota, to be near his family and later moved Egan, Minnesota. While retired, he formed the All-Star Jogging League for runners in southwestern Minnesota and southeastern South Dakota. At its peak, the club had nearly 150 joggers; it has since been disbanded. / Reed Hart died July 14, 2014, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

John Heston came to South Dakota State in 1896. Previously, he was the president of Washington State College. Under Heston’s guidance, the college saw an increase in enrollment and the construction of new campus buildings such as Solberg Hall. He also introduced electives, majors and minors, and specialized Bachelor's degrees including the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Agriculture, and Bachelor of Engineering. Heston oversaw the formation of new departments such as music and foreign languages in the liberal arts, and mechanical, agricultural and electrical divisions in engineering. He also emphasized the necessity for teaching sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics in the study of agriculture. Heston had an uneasy relationship with the regents. In 1903, the regents dismissed him as president of South Dakota State, and installed him as the president of Dakota State University in 1905.

Emil Jacobsen was born August 8, 1903 to Armus and Elvina Jacobsen. Armus immigrated to America in 1881 and met Elvina in Iowa and they later wed. Emil had two sisters, Hilda and Lucile. The Jacobsen family remained near Rock Valley, Iowa for the majority of their lives. Emil went to South Dakota State Agricultural College for two years, 1922 to 1923. Emil married Ruby Ingebord. Together they had six children: Russel, David, Marilyn, Roy, James and Stanley. Emil passed away August 4, 1998.

Lyman Jackson became president of South Dakota State in 1940. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin, and Ph. D. from the University of Minnesota. Jackson was junior dean of agriculture at the Ohio State University prior to arriving at South Dakota State. He became president just before the United States entered World War II. The impact of the war on the college was great, with decreased enrollment, the use of college buildings as barracks, and rationing. During his tenure, Jackson established the Junior College Division. This plan separated the freshman and sophomore students from the upper-class students, instituted student advising, and established rules and regulations for overseeing the student body. Jackson also made changes to the School of Agriculture to help it run more efficiently. One of the most daunting tasks during his term was in preparing the college for the return of the veterans and the many students who had left to aid in the war efforts, and administering the GI Bill. He resigned his position as president in 1946 to become dean of agriculture at Pennsylvania State University.

Delmar R. Johnson was born July 17, 1947 in Mitchell, South Dakota. He received his BS in Mathematics from South Dakota State University in 1969. He received a Master of Education from the same institution in 1991. / Johnson started his career at South Dakota State University in 1969 as a programmer. He taught mathematics and computer programming from 1969-1974. In 1982, he accepted a position as Co-director of the Computing Center. He eventually, became the director of University Computing Services. He continued in this capacity until 2003. He then became the director of Administrative and Research Computing. / Del Johnson retired from the university in 2012.

John P. (Johan Peter) Johnson was born July 5, 1854 in Snostorp, Sweden and died January 27, 1934 in Sioux Falls. He married on March 25, 1879.

Dr. W. Carter Johnson is Distinguished Professor of Ecology at South Dakota State University in Brookings. He received a B.S. in Biology from Augustana College in 1968 and a Ph. D. in Botany (Plant Ecology) from North Dakota State University in 1971. Johnson began his professional career as Research Associate and Research Staff Member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (1971-77), followed by 12 years in the Department of Biology at Virginia Tech. In 1989 he became Head of the Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape, and Parks at South Dakota State University, a position held until 1995. / His research interests include river regulation and riparian forest ecology, climate change and prairie wetlands, seed dispersal in fragmented landscapes, paleoecology (climate reconstruction using tree rings; Holocene seed dispersal and plant migration) and multifunctional agriculture and agroecological restoration. His research program is strongly multi-disciplinary and inter-institutional. Dr. Johnson has published approximately 100 peer-reviewed journal articles, books and book chapters.

Willis E. Johnson came to South Dakota State College as president in 1919. He received degrees from St. Cloud State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and the University of Minnesota. Prior to coming to South Dakota State he was president of Northern State University. Johnson was the first president to enjoy a formal inauguration. During his term, there were enormous problems with the college infrastructure and many financial difficulties resulting from World War I. Johnson was in office when many extra-curricular activities began. During his term, many student organizations were formally recognized, and intercollegiate athletics became a regular part of college life. He succeeded in opening the student bookstore and placing the post office on campus. The Printing Department also began during his term. One of his most important contributions was the creation of five divisions of study, which were precursors of today's academic colleges. The Board of Regents recognized Johnson for these contributions by naming him South Dakota State’s first president emeritus in 1923.

Inez O. Erickson Johnson was born to Martin and Julia Erickson on October 31, 1911 in Lake County, South Dakota. At the age of eight she moved with her parents to a farm near Baltic, South Dakota. She attended rural school and Baltic Grade School. She was baptized at St. Peter Lutheran Church and confirmed at East Nidaros Lutheran Church. On March 14, 1931 Inez married Henry Johnson at East Nidaros Lutheran Church. They lived and farmed on the farm of Henry' parents until they retired and moved into the town of Baltic in 1987. Henry and Inez had four children. Odel, Ivan, Dean, and Jerome. Inez became a resident of Terrace Manor Nursing Home in Dell Rapids on April 28, 1995 and died May 19, 1995 at Dell Rapids Community Hospital.

Wilma (Jean) Walters Lothrop was born July 19, 1919 in Brookings, South Dakota to William Hayes and Grace (Durland) Walters. Jean Walters graduated from Brookings High School in 1937, from South Dakota State College in 1941, and from Denver University with a Masters in Library Science. She also attended the University of Minnesota. In 1941-1942, she taught home economics and science at Langford, South Dakota, High School. On December 20, 1942 she married Eugene “Gene” Henry Lothrop of Huron, South Dakota. She was a librarian. They had two daughters Helen and Martha; and one son Robert. Jean died November 20, 2013 in Prescott, Arizona.

George Lilley became the first president of Dakota Agricultural College in 1884 when he was only 30 years old. At this time the college building was only partially complete and seeing how he would not be able to open the college without a building, Lilley gave a third of his $1,500 salary to finish three rooms of the building. On September 23, 1884, 35 students had enrolled in the preparatory course of the college. Over the next two years, the enrollment grew to 252. The first person to receive their degree from South Dakota State graduated on June 24, 1886. The regents felt Lilley was not able to maintain discipline among the students. They had also learned that Lilley had overstated his qualifications. He had not received a college degree and his title of “doctor” was honorary. Lilley submitted his resignation in 1886.

Ethel Austin was born July 14, 1893, in Storm Lake, Iowa to George and Evaline Austin. Her family moved to Brookings, South Dakota in 1902. She attended grade school and high school in Brookings. She graduated from South Dakota State College in Brookings ... »

Vera Way Marghab was co-founder and president of Emile Marghab Inc., New York, and Marghab, Ltd., Madeira. This business produced linens designed by Mrs. Marghab and embroidered by skilled artisans in Madeira. She was born to Stitzel X. Way and Kathryn Bacon Way on August 21, 1900 in Wesley, Iowa. / Begun in 1934 by Mrs. Marghab and her husband, Emile, the business sold linens exclusively in fine shops around the world. After Mr. Marghab's death in 1947, Mrs. Marghab managed the business alone until the political situation in Madeira forced her to close in 1984. Shortly thereafter, she returned to Watertown, S.D. where she expanded her childhood home "Wayland" on Lake Kampeska, and settled into the community. / In 1921, Emile Mogabgab, a British subject and native of Cyprus, began to manage the L. Tweel Importing Co. House, a manufacturer and importer of hand embroideries in Funchal, Madeira. After a brief stint with this company, Emile moved to F. M. Jabara and Bros., another embroidery firm in Funchal. Eventually, Emile and a friend, Gabriel Farra, organized a new business called Farra and Mogabgab Ltd., manufacturers of fine embroidery. The business operated in connection with the Jabara Company. In 1930, they leased the factory from Jabara and began to operate the business independently. By this time, they had buyers in England and in New York with Syrian-run firms and other importers. After Vera Way and Emile Marghab (Emile changed his name from Mogabgab at the insistence of Vera) were married in 1931, Emile's business began a period of healthy growth. The newly married couple began to live part of the year in Madeira. Vera began to show interest in Emile's business with ideas for management and production. By 1933, Gabriel Farra decided to sell his interest in the business. Emile took Vera on as a partner, and Vera and Emile immediately undertook a wide range of improvements. / The new company, now called Marghab Ltd., began to expand and improve its business. Emile and Vera attempted to raise the standard of the linens by purchasing the finest quality linen possible. Irish weavers provided linens that lived up to Marghab quality. Fine linen was not enough, however, so Vera and Emile also embarked on a quest to find a new fabric that would work well. The result was Margandie, a fabric patented by the Marghab Company. It was designed by Swiss weavers and made of the finest Egyptian cotton. / Vera Marghab was interested not only in the fabric, but also in the designs on the linens. Madeira embroiderers were held to exacting standards while embroidering designs created by Vera. Designs were repeated year after year to form a collection, an innovation of which Marghab, Ltd. was very proud. This was unheard of in the industry at the time, and helped set Marghab apart from other linen companies. / Another important improvement of the new company was the opening of a U.S. branch in 1934. Located in New York City, Emile Marghab Inc. began to work extensively on marketing the products produced in Madeira. The marketing of Marghab linens was the most distinctive feature of the business. Instead of offering the linens for sale in any shop that wished them, Vera devised a plan of creating Marghab Shops within certain larger stores. Stores chosen to house Marghab Shops had to adhere to strict standards, and agreed not to alter the very precise policy of the Marghab Shops. Among a number of strict guidelines, this policy included plans for shop layout and rules governing the display of linens. All shops were under the direction of a shop manager, personally trained by Vera Marghab. / The special plan for marketing the linens did not end with the establishment of the shops. All advertising was strictly limited as well. Shops could not advertise without prior approval of Vera. Standards for all aspects of the marketing were extremely high and under the iron hand of Vera. / The strict monitoring of the business maintained the high quality of the Marghab product and somewhat improved the business by 1947, when Emile Marghab passed away. At that time, the Board of Directors, with Vera Marghab at the helm, decided to continue the businesses. Vera continued to exercise utter control over all aspects of the business, especially the design and marketing of materials. / The Marghab business peaked around the time of Emile's death in 1947. After his death, the business started a gradual decline and the number of shops carrying Marghab linens slowly dropped off. Attitudes toward formal linens were changing, and the strict adherence to Marghab rules led to a decline in the shops. In addition, the Madeira embroidery guild, the (Gremio) made increasing demands that Vera found difficult to accept. Finally, by the late 1970's, these changes, coupled with political events in Portugal and Madeira, forced Vera to close the business and leave Madeira. Both businesses were fully dissolved by 1984. / Marghab linens, unsurpassed in quality, were world-famous. Many of the designs were used in palaces and embassies. Several are in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. A complete collection, 1,918 pieces and 282 designs, is in the South Dakota Art Museum in Brookings, S.D.

Nellermoe was born in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota and graduated from Watertown High School (1944). He served in the Unites States Navy (1944-1946), and received a BA (1950) and an MA (1952) from the University of South Dakota. He also studied at the Sorbonne in Paris, France, and the Internationale Musik Akademies in Salzburg, Austria. Nellermoe worked as a translator at various entities including the United Nations. He also taught foreign languages at Colorado State University. Nellermoe purchased the leaves from Ferdinand Roten Galleries in Baltimore.

Bill Nibbelink received his journalism degree from South Dakota State University in 1975 and then worked for the Moody County Enterprise newspaper. He met Daschle through the SDSU Democrats and worked for him during Daschle’s first two campaigns for the ... »

Roberta K. Olson was named dean of the College of Nursing at South Dakota State University in 1994. During her tenure, she increased the number of entering students each year from 136 to 304. The number of graduate students more than doubled. She established an online master’s degree program in 2002 and started a Ph.D. program in nursing in 2005, and a doctor or nursing practice degree program in 2009. / Dean Olson holds bachelors and master’s degrees in nursing from South Dakota State University. She earned a doctorate in organization and administration of higher education from Saint Louis University. She received the Sr. Bernadette Armiger Award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. / Dean Olson conducted research in Nursing Science, Allied Health Science and Medical Science Nursing.

Kathleen Norris was born July 27, 1947 to John Heyword Norris and Lois Totten Norris. She graduated from Punahou Preparatory School, Hawaii in 1965, and from Bennington College in Vermont in 1969. After college Norris worked as arts administrator for Betty Kray, Executive Director of the Academy of American Poets, who became her good friend and mentor. / “Falling Off,” Kathleen Norris’ first book of poetry, was published in 1971 and won the Big Table Younger Poets Award that same year. Soon after, she settled down in her maternal grandparents' home in Lemmon, South Dakota, where she lived with her husband, the poet David Dwyer, for over twenty-five years. Since the death of her husband in 2003, she has transferred her place of residence to Hawaii. / The move to Lemmon was the inspiration for the first of her nonfiction books, the award-winning bestseller "Dakota: A Spiritual Geography." It was a New York Times Notable Book of the Year and was selected as one of the best books of the year by Library Journal. / In 1986 Norris became an oblate, or associate, of a Benedictine monastery, Assumption Abbey in North Dakota and spent extended periods at Saint John's Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. / For many years Kathleen Norris was the poetry editor of Spirituality & Health magazine. She continues to make numerous appearances, including lectures, symposia, workshops, and retreats. Norris was the Randall Distinguished Professor of Christian Culture at Providence, Rhode Island from 2014 to 2015, and is currently the nonfiction editor of the Saint Katherine Review. She also serves as an editorial advisor to Give Us This Day.

Ellwood C. Perisho was named president of South Dakota State in 1914. He had most recently been dean of arts and sciences at the University of South Dakota. Perisho received his degrees from Earlham College and the University of Chicago. During his term as president, South Dakota State became accredited by the North Central Association and started the Cooperative Extension Service. New subjects were introduced and many new buildings were built, including the stock judging pavilion, a hog plant, a poultry plant, Wecota Hall, and the Administration Building. World War I had affected the work of the college. Between 1917 and 1918, military trainees were housed on campus and given instruction for skills needed in the armed forces. Special courses in agriculture, engineering, and home economics were introduced as part of the war effort. Perisho took a leave of absence in 1918 and resigned in 1919.

Born May 5, 1927 in Westville, Illinois to John and Elsie (DeBarba) Plumart, Phillip “Phil” Edmond Plumart was “the proud son of a long line of coal miners descending from Belgium” who went on to serve SDSU for 28 years, where he was “Teacher of the Year” multiple times and recipient of its Outstanding Service Award in 1986 for service to students. After serving in the US Army (1944-1947), Phillip Plumart received his B.S. in Agriculture from the University of Illinois in 1950 and is M.S. in Poultry Science from Kansas State College/University in 1952. He continued his post-graduate work at Purdue and the University of Minnesota. / On August 4, 1956, he married Darlene Rieck of Sheboygan, WI. They had three children: Perry (Mary) Plumart, Larry (Donna) Plumart, and Rene (Phil Salisbury) Plumart. / From 1961-1974, Phil Plumart was an Assistant Professor at SDSU, and from 1975-1989, he was Associate Professor, retiring in 1989 as Professor Emeritus and Extension Poultry Specialist. During his tenure, he taught poultry management, advised animal science students and worked in extension services with both poultry and computers. In addition to the awards mentioned above, he received in 1983 the Distinguished Service Award from the SD Future Farmers of America for his involvement in poultry judging, as well as his automating of FFA rules and regulations. He also developed the computer program used in recording and tracking the thousands of 4-H entries at the SD State Fair. In addition, he was awarded “Poultryman of the Year” and the “Gip Nolan Award for Outstanding Community Service.” Among his many community activities, he was 13 years of the Brookings City Planning Commission and later served as a Brookings City Commissioner, where he oversaw the finances for the Swiftel Center and the expansion of the Brookings Public Library. His colleagues called him “peppy, not only because of his initials, but because of his boundless energy and enthusiasm.” / He died November 27, 2014 in Brookings, SD (Thanksgiving Day).

Charles William Pugsley was named president of South Dakota State in 1923 after holding the position of assistant secretary of the United States Department Agriculture under Henry C. Wallace during the Harding administration. He received his education from the University of Nebraska, where he eventually became head of the agronomy and farm management department. He reorganized the administration into a system of deans with separate administration for financial affairs. During his term, the nursing program was established, as was the Civil Aeronautics program. In addition, enrollment went from 698 to 1,376. Several buildings were constructed including the Coughlin Campanile, the Coolidge Sylvan Theatre, and the Lincoln Memorial Library, which was dedicated in 1927 by President Calvin Coolidge. Pugsley also broke ground for the first student union, which eventually was named after him. Upon his retirement in 1940, Pugsley became president emeritus.

David Richards grew up on a ranch on the Belle Fourche River about 20 east of Sturgis, South Dakota in the 1930's. He attended a one room rural school. In 1946, Richards enrolled at South Dakota State College and graduated in 1950. / During his career as a student at South Dakota State College, Richards worked on a research project with Ames, Iowa and the University of Minnesota to discover the best chemical to dwarf lawn grass. And during his senior years, he completed a research project on budding and grafting evergreens. He was on the Rifle Team, president on the Presbyterian Student group, and ROTC. / A rancher in Meade County, South Dakota, Richards has been active in the Meade County Farm Bureau for over 60 years, president of the Meade County Stockgrowers, and helped form Ag Unity. In 1958, Richards was presented with the Outstanding Young Farmer awards by the Sturgis Jaycees.

Theodore William Schultz was born in Arlington, South Dakota, April 30, 1902. He was the oldest of eight children. During World War I, with labor scarce, he worked on the family farm instead of going to high school. The agricultural depression that blighted farms during the 1920s prompted him to go to college to study the underlying causes of what had happened. He studied economics at South Dakota State University and received his bachelor's degree in 1926. He then went on to graduate school at the University of Wisconsin where he received his master's and doctoral degrees in 1930. / After graduation, Schultz began his teaching career in agricultural economics at Iowa State University. Four years later he became head of the Department of Economic Sociology. During World War II, scholars at the school collaborated with outside specialists on reports demonstrating how government policy could promote the national interest by influencing agricultural production. One report recommended that margarine be substituted for butter. The Iowa Dairy Industry and the college administration tried to prevent publication. While Dr. Schultz successfully led the charge against censorship, he and several others resigned in protest in 1943. / Dr. Schultz went on to the University of Chicago. He soon became department chairman, and his leadership was credited with helping Chicago become an academic center for innovative theory. He became a Charles L. Hutchinson Distinguished Service Professor in 1952 and gained emeritus status in 1972 upon his retirement. / Schultz popularized the idea of "human capital"--the idea of treating educational spending as an investment. He was also known for his view of agriculture as a contributor to a nation's economic development, not simply a way to feed the work force in other areas of the economy. For this he war presented with the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979, a prize he shared with Arthur Lewis. / Schultz authored several books and edited others during his long career, and he gained worldwide recognition for his investigations into investment in human resources as a means toward economic progress. He won the Francis A. Walker Medal in 1972, which is given only once every five years by the American Economics Association. He received five honorary doctoral degrees during his career from various universities, including one from South Dakota State University. His long and varied career has included serving as adviser and consultant to some of the nation's largest foundations, numerous federal agencies, the White House, and branches of the military. / Theodore married Esther Werth, a native of Frankfort, South Dakota and a graduate of South Dakota State University. They had two daughters; Elaine and Margaret and one son; T. Paul. / Theodore W. Schultz formally retired in 1972 but remained an active researcher until he fractured his hip in 1990 and became bedridden. He died February 26, 1998 in an Evanston, Illinois nursing home after suffering from pneumonia.

Alice Margaret Bakken was born in McGregor, North Dakota on January 4th, 1918, to Elmer and Inga Marie (Sand) Bakken. She grew up in rural northeastern South Dakota’s Day County. On June 11, 1938, Alice married Oscar Simonson on June 11, 1938. Oscar and Alice had two children, Linda born in 1940, and Robert born in 1944. Oscar and Alice Simonson made their home and farmed in Day County for forty years. Alice was on the board of Sun Dial Manor in Bristol, when it was being organized and built.

Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (s-navy) was born on February 21, 1933 and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. She is enrolled as a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. She attended Bureau of Indian Affairs day schools on the reservation and graduated from St. Mary's Episcopal High School for Indian Girls in Springfield, South Dakota in 1950. / Driving Hawk Sneve attended South Dakota State University and graduated in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, Driving Hawk Sneve taught for a year in White, SD, teaching English and music. The next school year she taught for only one semester at Pierre Junior High School in Pierre, SD. From 1956 to 1964, Virginia made the decision to be a full-time homemaker and stayed at home to raise her three children. In 1965, Virginia resumed teaching at Flandreau Indian School teaching English, speech and drama. She eventually became a guidance counselor at the Flandreau Indian School. During this time, she also worked to receive her Master in Education degree from South Dakota State University, which she received in 1969. / In 1971, Driving Hawk Sneve made her first attempt at writing a juvenile fiction book. Her first book was titled, "Jimmy Yellow Hawk." She entered the manuscript for this work in a contest held by the Council on Interracial Books and was the 1971 winner. After winning the award, publishing houses began to contact her about publishing "Jimmy Yellow Hawk." She worked out her own contract with Holiday House, which has handled most of her books of juvenile fiction. In 1972, her first book, "Jimmy Yellow Hawk" and her second book "High Elk's Treasure" were published by Holiday House. / In 1973, Driving Hawk Sneve expanded her writings to include non-fiction. In that year, Brevet Press of Sioux Falls, SD published "South Dakota Geographic Names", which she edited, and "The Dakota's Heritage." She has published more non-fiction, including her history of the Episcopal Church in South Dakota. / Among the numerous awards and honors that Sneve has received for her writing are the South Dakota Governor’s Award in the Arts for Distinction in Creative Achievement, the South Dakota Humanities Council Distinguished Achievement in the Humanities Award, and honorary doctorates from South Dakota State University and Dakota Wesleyan University. The National Education Association awarded her the Author/Illustrator award in 1996. She was the first South Dakotan to be awarded the National Humanities Medal, presented on December 20, 2000 by President Bill Clinton. / Sneve’s numerous appearances include speaking at literary festivals and conferences and a number of International Reading Association events. She also participated in the National Book Festival in 2002 and the Native Writers Series at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in 2005, both held in Washington D.C. / Driving Hawk Sneve has continued to write to the present time. Her impressive portfolio includes adult fiction, non-fiction, short stories, articles, editorials, and book introductions, in addition to her many works for children. Among these works are the 1995 "Completing the Circle", and "The First Americans Series" on native peoples of North America.

Oscar and Alice Simonson were married on June 11, 1938. They made their home and farmed in Day County for forty years. They planted their first crops in the spring of 1939. Over those forty years, the Simonson’s witnessed many advancements in agriculture and technology of rural America including the switch from horses to tractors, crop hybridization, the introduction of electricity in the home, and indoor plumbing. The Simonson’s rotated crops, planted tree belts, practiced diversified farming, and saved seed from the previous year’s crops to plant the next year. Alice kept the books for the family farm. / In 1957, they purchased from Alice’s father, Elmer Bakken, the 1890 homestead of Lars A. Sand in Union Township, Day County, South Dakota. Oscar and Alice lived on the Sand homestead until they sold the farm in 1978 and moved to Webster, South Dakota. Oscar and Alice also acquired his parent’s Union County farm, which his parents had acquired from his grandfather, Ole Simonson, which had been originally homesteaded by Alma Smoots. / Oscar and Alice thoroughly enjoyed traveling by plane and bus. They traveled to Norway to visit Oscar’s mother’s birthplace.

In 1906, Robert L. Slagle left his position as president of the South Dakota School of Mines to become president of South Dakota Agricultural College. He had received a Ph. D. from Johns Hopkins University and had previously been on the faculty at South Dakota State. Slagle oversaw the increase in standards for admission, the reorganization of agricultural courses, and the establishment of summer school and correspondence courses. He also started the School of Agriculture, which offered high school courses during the winter months, making secondary education a possibility for a large number of rural students. During his presidency, the college changed its name to South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts, which reflected not only the general coursework and agricultural classes taught, but also the study of engineering. In 1914, Slagle moved on to become president at the University of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum was created in 1967 by South Dakota State University [SDSU] and from 1975-1995 was a program of the South Dakota State Historical Society. In April 1995, the museum again became affiliated with SDSU and now reports directly to the Vice President for Administration. / The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum is a museum that provides South Dakota residents and visitors with increased opportunities to know and appreciate the important role of agriculture and rural life in the state's past. The Agricultural Heritage Museum is dedicated to the preservation, study, and interpretation of objects relating to South Dakota agriculture and rural life between 1860 and the present. It is concerned not only with related technologies, crops and livestock, but also with the human experiences, institutions, and cultures that have shaped and been shaped by the state's rural landscape and environment. / The permanent staff and part-time workers of the museum are involved in the five functions essential to any museum operation: collecting, restoring and preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting objects of significance to the museum's scope and purpose.

The South Dakota Crop Improvement Association began as the South Dakota Corn Growers and Corn Breeders Association in September of 1906. It was originally intended to be a temporary organization to improve corn cultivation in South Dakota. However, after the first crop show, the members decided to make the organization permanent, and A.E. Chamberlain of Howard was selected to be the first President. / In 1909, the name was changed to the South Dakota Corn Growers and Grain Growers Association due to the organization’s new focus on improving all grain types grown in South Dakota. In 1924 they decided to merge with the South Dakota Experimental Association, an organization created to test and disseminate new crop varieties, and in 1925, the entire group was renamed the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association. / Since 1925, the SDCIA has continued to work towards the improvement of South Dakota’s seed crops. They have created various groups and committees to work on the testing and certification of seed, such as the Seed Council of South Dakota in 1928 and the Foundation Seed Stocks Corporation in 1944. A state crop show and membership meeting is held annually by the organization to help farmers learn about new seed varieties and farming practices. They have also helped create many county-level associations of the SDCIA to help with agricultural education and the maintenance of pure, certified seed.

The 125th Anniversary Planning Committee was formed to guide the university through the celebration of its 125th anniversary. It was responsible for planning all aspects of the celebration.

The South Dakota State University Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of South Dakota State University. The Foundation was created in 1946, largely inspired by the need to provide funding for an invention by Professor E.L. Erickson. The mission of the SDSU Foundation is: "Uniting the dreams of our students, university and donors to build a better SDSU." The Foundation raises and administers scholarship funds that benefit more than 4,500 students, and spearheads private fundraising campaigns for multi million-dollar capital projects, including the state-of-the-art Avera Health and Science Center. The Foundation is guided by a 95-member Council of Trustees.

The Centennial Steering Committee was formed on July 16, 1979, to guide the university through the celebration of its Centennial year (1981). H.M. Briggs, President Emeritus, was appointed Chairman of the Committee, while David Pearson, former Vice President of South Dakota State University was appointed Vice-Chairman. The committee, made up of representatives from various units on campus and from outside the university, first met on July 21, 1980. At this meeting, Briggs outlined the charges of the committee and explained that each member of the Steering Committee would also take the role of sub-committee chairperson for the respective area of the university. Once some tentative activities were brainstormed, the Steering Committee members were further broken into sub-committees to deal with specific projects. With this basic structure, the Steering Committee began its work. They received an initial stipend from the University to perform their functions, which was added to throughout the committee's existence. While the subcommittees performed much of the work of the Steering Committee, the Centennial Office, consisting of Briggs and an office assistant, Yvonne Ehlebracht, managed much of the day-to-day work. The office was responsible for the overall running of the committee, maintaining the budget, keeping the files, and arranging and paying for meetings and trips. In addition, much of the correspondence associated with the event was filtered through this office.

The Administrative Council was the new name given to the Council of Deans in 1942. The Committee of Deans, in existence from 1923, had been made up of the deans of the various areas on campus, including the colleges and the Deans of Men and Women. The Council made decisions on such things as campus rules, students' requests to expand their course load, student absences and disciplinary actions. Also discussed at meetings were administrative matters such as the institution of a vocational course and changing credits for certain courses. The Council approved candidates for degrees and the college calendar. It is not clear whether the president was always included in these meetings, although his name often appears on the minutes. / The name change to Administrative Council did not signify any major changes within the focus of the group. Throughout its lifespan, the nature of the material discussed and decisions made at these meetings remained the same as previous. By the mid 1950's, however, the Council had expanded to include faculty representatives from the Faculty Association. / By 1955, when the council is first mentioned in the Faculty Handbook, the group met weekly with the president to discuss questions of administration or policy brought forth by the president, or to discuss any other questions brought up the any council member. There is no indication of whether this was a decision-making group, but as no other campus group fulfilled the decision making and policy making duties performed by the Council, it can be assumed that they continued to perform these functions. At this time, the president served as the chairman of the Administrative Council. This brief description remains in the Faculty Handbook until the 1970 edition, when first mention is made of the Academic Senate, which did take over the decision-making and policy-making roles outlined above.

South Dakota State College was one of the first five land-grant institutions to have a formal department of Home Economics. Called Domestic Economy at its start in 1885, the four-year curriculum offered scientific training and a liberal and practical education for young women. In addition, the program purported to prepare young women for the important position of caring for the home. / By the late 1920's, many changes had occurred in the department. The name had changed to Home Economics in 1915, shortly after passage of the Smith-Lever Act. This act, along with the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, called for land-grant universities to expand their services to the people of the states. Through programs in extension and education, which developed as a result of these two acts, Home Economics evolved into a much larger program. Enrollment grew as traditional classes in food, nutrition, clothing, and design were augmented by practical work in home management and the nursery school. By the close of the 1920s, many graduates had been placed as teachers in the public-school system, which helped expand the department's influence in the state. / Little change occurred in the division until a new department, Child Development opened in 1945. The following year an additional department, Technical Journalism, was added to the Home Economics Division. Graduate courses were offered beginning in 1952, and in 1962, when South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University, the Home Economics Division became the College of Home Economics. / Over the next two decades, the college continued to evolve. In 1975, a core curriculum was developed for home economics, and in 1981, a specialized program was established to meet the needs of students in their careers in home economics education, extension, family, welfare and interior design. In 1994, the College of Home Economics became the College of Family and Consumer Sciences due to a nation-wide change brought on by a survey conducted by the American Home Economics Association. / The College of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares people for a variety of professional roles, which are interdisciplinary in nature. Some majors within the College are directly related to the family and its traditional functions, such as human development and family studies. With these majors, graduates are primarily prepared for careers in social service, community or government agencies, or business. Other majors are derived from functions that were traditionally performed by the family but now are often carried out by business and industry. Hotel, restaurant and institution management, apparel merchandising and interior design are examples of these majors. / General programs in the College prepare graduates for employment in formal and non-formal education, and community service. All programs in the College focus on the interactions of family and their environment.

Speech courses have always been a part of the South Dakota State University curriculum. In the earliest years, the preparatory department offered courses in public speaking to high school students, and the English Department offered courses in public speaking and rhetoric, including elocution and oral reading. Through the years, various other departments took responsibility for the public speaking courses, including the Elocution and Physical Culture Department, the Public Speaking Department, and the English Department. A Speech Department first appeared in the 1924 catalog, offering courses in debate, speaking, and play production. Required courses in rhetoric were taught by the English Department until 1938 when they were placed into the speech department. / By the 1950's, the Speech Department was well established on campus. The Board of Regents approved the speech major in 1958, and a master's degree was also available. Courses were taught in forensics, drama and radio. Film and television instruction began soon after. In the 1970's the communication disorders program, which prepared students to teach or provide therapy in speech, hearing and speech language was established as part of the department. / In addition to formal course work in speech, extracurricular activities involving the department have flourished on campus. In the early years, speech and literary societies sponsored most plays and debates, which were a major source of entertainment on campus. After such societies disappeared, students continued to participate in debate and theatre, taking part in competitions and many theatrical productions. Students also worked for the State College broadcasting system and work for the campus radio station KAGY. / Since the early 1990's, the department has been known as the Communication Studies and Theatre Department. Programs in speech communication, speech education and theatre are offered, as is the radio, television and film program, which focus on production. Many opportunities for extracurricular activities are also offered through the department.

In the 1884-85 catalog, chemistry was listed as a course of study in agriculture as part of the Department of Natural Sciences. There were three chemistry courses: elementary chemistry, analytical chemistry and agricultural chemistry. By 1892, all students were required to take three terms of elementary chemistry with analytical chemistry and agricultural chemistry as electives. / In the 1897-98 catalog, chemistry was first listed as an independent department. By this time the course offerings had greatly expanded and included many additions to the curriculum. Expansion of the chemistry department continued over the years with courses being added nearly every three to five years. By 1944, the professional curriculum was approved by the American Chemical Society. / After World War II, enrollment increased, prompting an increase in staff. By 1958, the department was authorized to offer a Ph. D. in biochemistry and in 1965 was authorized to offer Ph. D.'s in most branches of chemistry. The Biochemistry Experiment Station was established in 1887 and was separate from the Chemistry Department until July 1, 1974 when the chemistry department and the Station Biochemistry Department merged. / In the 1998-2000 catalog, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is listed as approved by the American Chemical Society for training professional chemists. Since chemistry is so closely related to other fields of study, a number of courses are offered to provide sufficient chemical background to meet professional needs. A minor in chemistry is provided for students who want more extensive chemistry without majoring in chemistry. Student may receive a BS in chemistry, or may pursue graduate work toward an MS or Ph. D.

Civil engineering courses were among the first taught in the early days of South Dakota State University. Students could complete a prescribed set of courses and receive a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Until 1902, courses in civil engineering were taught in the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering or through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 1902, a separate department, called the Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering was established. In 1925, a separate Department of Agricultural Engineering was established in the Division of Agriculture. Since that time a Department of Civil Engineering has existed. / Study in civil engineering includes the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of highways, airports, buildings, bridges, dams, water supply and distribution systems, wastewater collection systems and treatment plants, irrigation and drainage systems, river and harbor improvements and many other facilities essential in modern life. The civil engineering program at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. / The overall goal of this program is to develop competent professionals capable of applying the current principles of science and engineering to the solution of problems related to civil engineering. A second goal of the program is to assist students in developing a commitment of high standards of professional conduct.

The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design offers instruction leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design. Apparel Merchandising courses provide knowledge applicable to careers in the fashion industry including production, wholesaling and retailing, and for consumer acquisition and use of apparel and household textiles. The cultural and scientific aspects of apparel and textiles are examined with emphasis on aesthetic, economic, historical, sociological and psychological factors. / The Interior Design curriculum prepares students to enter the profession of residential and commercial design through course work in technical, material, historical, cultural and aesthetic aspects of design with studios, emphasizing the design problem-solving process. The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design is affiliated with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Students may enroll in a "visiting scholar" program at FIT with emphasis on fashion design, fashion buying and merchandising, or several others.

Instruction in the biological sciences began at South Dakota State University in 1885. The first student to graduate in that area did so in 1888. In 1897, when departments were first established on campus, biology was not included. Courses were taught in a number of related fields however through a number of departments including zoology, botany and entomology, to name a few. An independent Department of Biology was not established until 1980, although the Department of Botany and Biology had existed since 1966. / Today, the Biology and Microbiology Department offers curricula leading to the Bachelor's degree with a major in biology. The undergraduate biology major has two different programs from which to choose: the curriculum in Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, or the curriculum in Arts and Science. The two programs are identical except for the individual college's requirements. Students majoring in biology will select among four areas of emphasis depending upon their particular interest and needs: 1) The Biology emphasis prepares a students to work in a large variety of areas of the biological sciences; 2) The Botany emphasis concentrates on the scientific study of plants providing for professions in plant research and industry; 3) the Zoology emphasis highlights the scientific study of animal life and provides the basis for many related disciplines such as medicine and health sciences, veterinary science, and oceanography; and 4) the Pre-professional emphasis is designed for students planning on admission into professional, health science programs.

Work in general economics dates back to the beginning of instructional work at South Dakota State College, when it was taught under the name of political economy. Later, it was taught with history and philosophy, but finally achieved full independence when, in 1921, the Department of Farm Economics was created as a separate department. Development in this department consisted mainly of teaching, research and extension. Over the years, the Economics Department has established itself as a pioneer in the scientific study of the economic problems of South Dakota. / According to the 1996-1998 Undergraduate Bulletin, the Economics Department trains students to apply economic concepts and techniques for decision-making in fields such as agricultural business, agricultural economics, economics and business. The objectives of the curricula taught in the department are to present the general economic principles necessary to understand the complexities of the economic business world and provide a foundation for graduate work in economics, agricultural economics, business administration, management, finance, law and other related areas of study. / The Economics Department offers majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in either agricultural business or agricultural economics from the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. The department also offers a major in economics leading to a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Arts and Science. Within the economics major, a student can choose an option in business economics. Minors are also available through the department in accounting, agricultural business, agricultural marketing and economics. The programs provide students with a background to pursue careers in farm and ranch management, agricultural finance, agribusiness, banking, business finance, business management, sales and marketing, government service and related fields.

Geography was one of the first courses taught when South Dakota State University was founded in 1881. While geography classes were offered from time to time in various departments, no major development of a program occurred until 1966-67, when a bachelor's degree in geography was approved. In the fall of 1968, the Department of History and Geography was formed. By 1971, the geography program had grown substantially. Enrollment growths necessitated the addition of more faculty members. By 1973, a separate Department of Geography was established and in 1974, the offering of the Master of Science degree in Geography was approved. / The geography curriculum today teaches students to describe, relate and explain natural and cultural phenomena, which distinguish places around the world. Courses are offered in technical geography-science and environmental planning and management.

Course work in electrical engineering was first taught at South Dakota State College in 1899. Physics and mechanical engineering, both of which served as foundation for the work in electrical engineering, were well established. An organization to provide for the instructional work in electrical engineering was arranged by enlarging the Department of Physics. This general arrangement continued without much change until 1909. In 1909, the Department of Electrical Engineering was organized as a separate department, and continues still. / The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to provide a highly respected, rigorous and practical education in electrical engineering so that graduates may assume engineering position of responsibility and leadership. Another goal is to conduct meaningful research and scholarly activities with regional emphasis and to provide technical assistance in the field of electrical engineering to existing and emerging industries and businesses in South Dakota and to regional and global communities.

Physical education has always been included in the curriculum of South Dakota State University. The objective of a strong mind, body and spirit is consistent with the philosophy of "educating the total person." Since the earliest years, students have been required to take either physical education or military science in order to graduate. Physical education courses took many different forms over the years, usually consistent with contemporary thinking. Courses were taught by departments, which went by various names, including the Department of Music and Physical Culture, the Department of Elocution and Physical Culture, and Physical Education, and Recreation. / In the 1940's, a major in physical education was established, with different requirements for males and females. In 1953, a graduate degree was offered through the department. The Physical Education Department changed its name to the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation [HPER] in 1969-70. This change was quickly followed by an added degree in public recreation. Other minor and major programs were also offered through the department. / The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department is now administratively located under the College of Education & Human Sciences and is called the Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences. It provides undergraduate programs in Athletic Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Exercise Science, Health Education, Physical Education, and Sport, Recreation and Park Management, as well as a number of supporting minors.

The teaching of history at South Dakota State University developed alongside the college. From the beginning, students in all divisions of the college were required to take basic history courses. As time went on and the numbers of students and teachers multiplied, the Department of History was able to carve out its own niche. At times, other disciplines were taught through the department and the name was occasionally changed to reflect these areas. In 1905, the department was known as the Department of History and Political Science, this lasted until 1967. After a year as the Department of History, in 1968 the name changed to the Department of History and Geography to reflect the number of geography courses taught. In 1973, a separate geography department was established and the history department was reorganized into a resemblance of today's department. / The courses offered by the Department of History are intended to prepare majors for careers in teaching, government, and service-oriented occupations, and to provide a necessary background for graduate work or other specialized training. / History is now merged into the Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

The first course in journalism at South Dakota State College was taught in 1908, 27 years after the founding of the college and at a time when journalism courses began to appear in a number of Midwestern state universities. A school of printing began in 1919, and in 1924 Journalism Professor Charles D. Byrne, who was later the Chancellor of Higher Education for Oregon, moved to combine the work in journalism and the school of printing. The Department of Printing and Rural Journalism began that year. / During the 1930s and 1940s, a two-year course in printing was combined with three more years in journalism to produce graduates with a bachelor of science in Printing and Rural Journalism — PRJs, they were called. / The department was accredited for the first time in 1948, which was the first year of national journalism accreditation. According to Dean Earl English of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, South Dakota State College was the first department to be visited by an accrediting team and recommended for accreditation. In 1951, two years after George Phillips became department head, the present building was dedicated. / In 1956, the PRJ program was shortened to four years and a bachelor of science in printing management began. The same year the department began offering a bachelor of science in journalism and a master of science in journalism. / The department began a master of science in printing management in 1958. For a time, it was the only school in the country offering a graduate degree in printing management. Consequently, a number of printing educators hold degrees from South Dakota State. The printing master’s program closed in 1972. / In 1973, Professor Phillips retired and was replaced by Professor Vernon Keel, who is currently director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University. The graduate program was suspended between 1973 and 1975 in order to direct efforts toward the undergraduate program. Professor Keel resigned in 1976 to become department head at his Alma mater, University of North Dakota. Professor Ruth Laird directed the department until 1978, Professor Richard Lee was head from 1978- 2002 when Professor Mary Arnold, the current head, was hired.

From the opening of the College, English has been an established course of study. In the early years, there were three courses in English listed: Course I, agriculture; Course II, the general college course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science; and Course III, civil engineering. In each of these courses, the emphasis was on grammar, composition, speech, rhetoric, theory and practice, literature and history of English drama. Through the years, similar courses have been taught, and continue to be taught today. / According to the 1998-2000 bulletin, courses in the English Department are divided into two areas: English and linguistics. The department offers instruction in clear thinking and expression, in the history and use of language, in literature, in literary criticism; and in technical communications. An English major prepares students for teaching careers; for writing and editorial work; for professional schools of law, business, theology, library science, and social work; and for any endeavor in which facility in the use of language is essential.

Human Development, Consumer and Family Sciences offers four undergraduate programs and is housed in the department including: Consumer Affairs, Early Childhood Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Human Development and Family Studies.

Mathematics has existed at South Dakota State University since the founding of the institution. The general work of the department in the early 1900's was planned to cultivate habits of systematic and accurate thinking, as well as facility in making calculations. Independent effort was encouraged to the greatest extent, the solution of problems and original demonstrations formed an important part of each course. The curriculum of the Department of Mathematics is now designed to provide a strong liberal arts program with opportunity for concentrated study in mathematics, and to meet the needs of the technically oriented student. Supporting courses were offered for the various colleges, which make up the University. Through the years, mathematics has had an administrative home in either the College of Engineering or the College of Arts and Science, or their precursors. Today, financial and administrative matters are under the College of Engineering. Degrees, however, are granted through the College of Arts and Science. Effort was made to change this dual administration, yet it did not pass the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Mechanical engineering has always been taught at South Dakota State University. In the earliest years, students could opt to take a prescribed set of classes leading to the BS degree in Mechanical Arts (later Mechanical Engineering). For the first two years, mechanical engineering students took classes with civil engineering students. Specialization occurred in the junior and senior years. In 1897, a Department of Mechanical Engineering was established to administer mechanical engineering work. Most civil engineering classes moved to the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering at this time, although some remained with mechanical engineering. In 1902, when the Civil and Electrical Engineering departments were established, the Department of Mechanical Engineering became a fully independent department, much as it is today. Mechanical engineering graduates have a range of career directions from which to choose. Work is in research, development, design, testing, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, or in management and administration.

Military instruction has always been a part of life at South Dakota State University. The Morrill Act of 1862, which established the land grant colleges, required the colleges to provide instruction in "military tactics." At South Dakota State University, formal military classes began in September 1884 under the leadership of Professor Robert F. Kerr. Lectures, recitations and regular drills formed this instruction. Until 1918, the college fulfilled the military requirements with mandatory drill work and coursework led by civilian instructors. With the passage of the National Defense Act in 1916, the Reserve Officers Training Corps, known at ROTC, came into being and replaced the less formal military training at all land grant colleges, including South Dakota State University. The headquarters of the ROTC were at the local land grant colleges, and the training curriculum was set by the War Department. The colleges were given personnel and equipment to carry out the curriculum. / General Omar Bradley was a former Professor of Military Science here at SDSU. Although he is more well known as being the commander of the largest field force in military history during World War II, and the first ever Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it was he who dubbed SDSU Army ROTC "The West Point of the Plains." This title is still used frequently and proudly by all of its members past and present. / ROTC required all underclassmen to participate in basic military training for their first two years. Selected upperclassmen were allowed to participate in advanced work on a voluntary basis. At first, training was provided in a number of different service branches. By 1942, when the DePuy Military Hall was constructed, training at the university was limited to Army and Air Force ROTC. At South Dakota State University, the Army and Air Force ROTC continued to provide compulsory training for all freshmen and sophomore men until 1969, when the Board of Regents made ROTC voluntary. Although the numbers decreased, students continued to participate in the program, and do so still. / The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) provides leadership, management, ethics, and personal confidence training to prepare cadets for responsibilities as commissioned officers in the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve, and active duty. Classroom instruction, hands-on training, and field training encompass the values and skill sets necessary for success. Opportunities abound for specialized training.

The Plant Science Department was formed in 1969, when the Agronomy Department and the Plant Pathology Department were combined. Ten years later, entomologists joined the department when the Entomology and Zoology Department was eliminated. The history of the Plant Science Department, then, is really the history of these three departments. / Instruction in agronomy was a core part of the South Dakota State University curriculum from the outset. In 1888, the first agronomy crops were sown with the assistance of the Agricultural Experiment Station, establishing a pattern that continues to this day. In 1897, when departments were formally organized, agronomy coursework was found in the Geology and Agronomy Department. By 1902, agronomy had achieved its independence from geology and an independent department was formed. Through the years, the department strengthened and expanded, developing strong areas of research and teaching in plant breeding, crop and soil science, and seed varieties, among others. Different faculty had different interests, but the overall work of the department remained mostly unchanged until it joined with plant pathology. / The plant pathology department followed much the same pattern as the agronomy department. Through the years, research in plant pathology as conducted through the Agricultural Experiment Station and courses were taught, although the department went by a number of different names. In the earliest years, courses were taught in the Botany Department. In 1911, the name changed to Botany and Plant Pathology, where it remained until 1918. From 1918-1923, the department was Botany and Plant Diseases, from 1924-1928 Botany and Plant Pathology, 1928-1950 Botany, Plant Pathology and Bacteriology. Finally, in 1950 the department became known as Plant Pathology. / The Entomology and Zoology Department was a department from 1920-1979. Courses were taught in those subjects from 1887, however, and scientific investigations in those areas were performed at the Agricultural Experiment Station from 1888. Initially, the administration of the Entomology and Zoology Department fell under the General Science Division, but in 1925, it moved to the agriculture division. In general, instructors in these subjects were sparse, but courses continued to develop. From 1938-1963, wildlife and wildlife management classes were taught through the department, but eventually they separated into their own area. The fate of the entomology and zoology subjects was not as good, however, and in 1979, the department was dissolved. The entomologists went to the Plant Science Department, and the zoologists moved to biology. / The department was merged with the Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks in the summer of 2011. The expertise of the faculty and staff span the fields of: agronomy, entomology, genetics/plant breeding, horticulture, landscape architecture, plant pathology, plant physiology, soil science, and weed science. The department offers undergraduate programs leading to a B.S. in either: Agronomy, Horticulture or Landscape Architecture; and at the graduate level, M.S. and Ph. D. training in Agronomy or Biological Science. Plant Science has a robust research program that consistently ranks at, or near, the top of departments at SDSU for research expenditures and productivity. / The department is housed in six buildings across campus. These buildings provide research and teaching laboratories, greenhouses, seed house facilities and access to the functional genomics core facility. The on-campus facilities also include the SDSU Seed Testing Laboratory, SDSU Plant Diagnostics Clinic, Seed Certification, and Foundation Seed Stocks Division, which we operate as services for the public. In addition, we conduct research at 3 research farms near campus and 4 research stations across the state. The Field Specialists are housed in 6 regional extension offices across the state. The latest addition is the new McCrory Gardens Education and Outreach Center.

Sociology was established as a formal department at South Dakota State University in 1925. Courses were taught in sociology before that time in the history and political science departments. The first course with a particular rural focus was taught in 1913-14. / The development of rural sociology as a department occurred primarily because of the Purnell Act of 1925. This act provided funding for research in sociology and economics, and South Dakota State University responded by forming department in those areas. By the 1930's, the department was established enough to be in charge of sociological research with the WPA. From 1933-1942, cooperative between government agencies and the department was common, and this assisted in carving the place rural sociology now holds at South Dakota State University. / The curriculum of South Dakota State University has grown enormously since the one class initially taught. Students may now receive a BA or a BS in sociology in one of six options: general sociology, teaching, social work, human services, criminal justice, or personnel service. Since 1932, the department has offered an MS in rural sociology. In 1961, a social science Ph. D. program began. In this unique program, students could select from a combination of courses in history, political science, psychology, economics and sociology and receive a Ph. D. After three years, the joint program was dropped and the Ph. D. became available only in sociology. / The Department of Sociology and Rural Studies continues to hold its own in the College of Agriculture and Biological Science. The courses offered by the department have been organized with three definite objectives in mind: 1) a sequence for those who may wish to earn an undergraduate major or minor in sociology; 2) basic service courses that will be of interest and practical help to students in any college; and 3) courses to fulfill requirements of a Master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sociology.

The Physics Department has three main objectives in its program offerings: (1) to serve students interested in engineering as a profession; (2) to serve students from various colleges within the university who need a basic understanding of physics; and (3) to serve students with an interest in a professional future in physics. The department is composed of appropriate professional staff, facilities, and equipment to support these objectives. / The curriculum in Engineering Physics is built around a strong core of physics courses complemented by courses from engineering departments. Students can earn an Engineering Physics degree with an emphasis in either mechanical or electrical engineering by selecting appropriate courses from one of these two areas. This major is designed to give students the ability to apply new research developments to pressing problems of society and is most attractive for those students interested in industrial employment. Graduates with an engineering physics degree typically enter employment as an engineer or continue graduate work in a field such as nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering. / The curriculum in Physics is an option similar to the Engineering Physics curriculum that is not necessarily directed toward engineering. Not requiring the depth of engineering courses allows the Physics curriculum more flexibility to accommodate a wide range of student interests. Students interested in a professional physics career, graduate school, medical school, secondary physics education, meteorology, or a multitude of related areas can choose this option. This flexibility is achieved by building a curriculum around a core of 28 required semester credits in physics. Listings of elective courses for various technical careers are available in the Physics Department office. / The Department of Physics is now administratively located in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Music has been taught at South Dakota State University since its founding in 1881. The department was first called the Department of Music and Physical Culture. During the 1904-05 school year, a four-year Department of Music was created with four faculty members. Courses in piano, voice, stringed instruments, orchestra, pipe organ, band instruments, and theoretical studies were available. The courses were continued until the Great Depression years when the music major was dropped. It was not reinstated until after World War II. Once the music major was reinstated, course work in music went on much as before. In addition to coursework, students interested in music could participate in a number of extracurricular activities, including chorus, orchestra, and band. / Significant curriculum changes occurred in 1975, resulting in a growth in enrollment of music majors that included the establishment of three-degree programs – BA in Music, BS in Music, BME (Bachelor of Music Education), and the National Accreditation of the Music Program. / According to the 1996-98 Bulletin, the Music Department offers three-degree options: BA-Music Major, MS-Music Merchandising Major, and Bachelor of Music Education. A Minor in Music is also available.

Prior to the establishment of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 1968, instruction in those areas was somewhat sporadic. Area clergy occasionally taught religion courses through the college. The 1947-48 catalog first mentions this arrangement. College faculty taught philosophy courses, however. / Philosophy courses have been taught since the founding of the college. Instruction in "moral philosophy" was required by the Morrill Act, which established land grant colleges, including South Dakota State University. A chair of Psychology and Philosophy was established in 1885. A Department of Philosophy was established in 1906, and for a short while philosophy, psychology, and education courses were taught through it. Courses were moved to the Education Department in 1913 and remained there until a Department of Psychology and Philosophy was established in 1967. In 1968, these disciplined splits, with psychology becoming an independent department and philosophy joining with religion. / In 1975, the department was allowed to offer the minor in philosophy and in 1978 the minor in religion. Efforts were made to develop a major in philosophy but the Board of Regents denied the request. / Students from any major may undertake the academic study of philosophy at South Dakota State University. The academic study of religion is designed to enrich the student's perspectives and introduce some of the important feature of philosophy and religion. / Philosophy and Religion is now merged into the Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

Courses in psychology were first introduced at South Dakota State University in 1885 as a combination of philosophy and psychology. In 1913, psychology was merged into the Department of Education. After 1913, the offerings slowly grew from two to twelve courses and staffing increased. In 1954, the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology was authorized. Except for the years 1938-41 when psychology existed as a separate department, psychology remained in association with education until 1967 when it was again combined with philosophy as a separate department. The following year it again became an independent Department of Psychology and has so remained. The Department of Psychology offers a BS degree. Within the psychology major, students may pursue a pre-professional curriculum, an applied curriculum, a teaching option (preparation for secondary school teaching) or a psychological services option.