Centennial Steering Committee Records

Identity elements

Reference code

UA 051.01

Name and location of repository

Level of description

Collection

Title

Centennial Steering Committee Records

Date(s)

  • 1979-1982 (Accumulation)

Extent

1.74 linear feet (4 boxes)

Name of creator

Administrative history

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.

Content and structure elements

Scope and content

This collection is composed of committee files produced for or in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration of South Dakota State University held in 1981. The collection is made up of general office and administrative files with some memorabilia.

The office files include budgets, correspondence, committee minutes and the files from each sub-committee. The budgets material consists mainly of the accounting used to put on the centennial celebration and to run an office devoted to such an event. The sub-committees files consist mainly of simple reports on the actions of various departments and various committees over the year. The notable exception to this is the calendar committee, which demonstrated some of the scheduling programs of such a huge event. The most useful files include the minutes of the Steering Committee and the correspondence files, as they reflect the inner workings of the group and the magnitude of such an event. Much attention is given throughout this material to the appearance of and seminar honoring Theodore Schultz, SDSU graduate and Nobel Prize winner.

The administrative files include material that was produced for or in conjunction with the Centennial Celebration. Included in this file are the finished calendars, lists of speakers, publications association with the centennial, and congratulatory letters from land grant colleges, alumni, dignitaries and South Dakota organizations. Also included are programs and flyers from various centennial events. The transcripts and audio cassettes of the commencement addresses are also included.

The memorabilia includes examples of some the souvenirs that were produced during the centennial. Included are two paperweights, one is bronze and housed in a redwood box with blue velvet lining, and one is marble with a cork bottom, a brass insignia with clear acrylic covering an insignia which has a dark blue background and gold lettering. Also included is a light blue coaster with gold lettering, a tan button with dark brown lettering, and an acrylic box of gummed gold SDSU notarial seals and blue and yellow ribbons approximately one inch long.

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use elements

Conditions governing access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions.
The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

Physical access

Technical access

Conditions governing reproduction

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Languages of the material

  • English

Scripts of the material

Language and script notes

Finding aids

Acquisition and appraisal elements

Custodial history

Immediate source of acquisition

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information

Accruals

Related materials elements

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related archival materials

Related descriptions

Notes element

Specialized notes

Alternative identifier(s)

ID

UA051.01

ID

UA 51.1

Description control element

Rules or conventions

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Accession area