The School of Communication and Journalism Records collection at South Dakota State University offers a view of the department’s academic, professional, and cultural history. The materials include a wide array of newsletters, pamphlets, programs, posters, reports, and instructional aids that document the department’s evolution, its educational initiatives, and its engagement with both students and the broader journalism community.
The collection features numerous departmental publications such as newsletters and bulletins that provided updates on internships, academic programs, and faculty activities. It includes promotional and commemorative materials from events like Journalism Week, Newspaper Day, the Lusk Lecture, and various banquets and conferences. These materials reflect the department’s commitment to fostering professional development and celebrating milestones in journalism education.
A significant portion of the collection is devoted to student involvement and experiential learning. The South Dakota Observer, a newspaper entirely produced by students—from writing and editing to typesetting and printing—serves as a central artifact of the department’s hands-on approach to journalism training. Other student-centered materials include style guides, course announcements, and workshop pamphlets, which illustrate the department’s emphasis on practical skills and industry standards.
The collection also highlights the department’s efforts to engage with underrepresented communities, particularly through materials related to American Indian journalism and media. Pamphlets and programs from career conferences and symposia underscore the department’s role in promoting diversity and inclusion within the field.
Instructional resources such as transparencies, slides, and visual aids used in teaching courses on media history and design are also present, offering insight into the pedagogical strategies employed by faculty. Administrative documents, including annual reports and institutional reviews, provide context for the department’s internal development and external recognition, including national awards and accreditations.
This collection is a resource for understanding the history of journalism education in South Dakota and the broader Midwest. It captures the department’s leadership in printing and rural journalism, its dedication to student learning, and its contributions to the professional journalism landscape.
