This collection consists of publications and printed material produced by the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Marketing and Communications unit, formerly known as University Relations. The records span several decades and reflect the unit's central role in internal and external university communications. The materials document institutional messaging, campus updates, and promotional efforts intended for various audiences, particularly faculty, staff, prospective students, alumni, and the public.
Major components of the collection include high-frequency campus communication pieces such as Today at State, Faculty Bulletin, University Bulletin, SDSU Update, E-Connect, and SDSU Newsline. These serials provided regular updates on lectures, events, job postings, policy changes, and campus news. They underwent several title and format transitions reflecting changes in communication technology and strategy:
- 1944–1970: Faculty Bulletin
- 1971–1977: University Bulletin
- 1978–2004: SDSU Update
- 2000–2004: E-Update (briefly printed, then online)
- 2004–2007: E-Connect (online only)
- 2007–present: SDSU Newsline (emailed and web-published)
Today at State, a daily bulletin printed during the academic year from 1971 to 2007, was directed toward campus faculty and staff, serving as a primary channel for time-sensitive updates.
Additional materials in the collection include Calling Home from South Dakota State University, Impact State, Arts at State newsletters, research and promotional reports (e.g., SDSU Marketing Strategy, Graphic Identity Manual), event guides, market research, and publications related to specific colleges and campus initiatives. Issues of College Home from SDSU Magazine, special event planning documents, donor recognition materials, and visual promotional content such as postcards, banners, and merchandise catalogs further illustrate the university’s evolving branding and outreach strategies.
This collection also includes content documenting significant institutional moments such as the SDSU Centennial, branding initiatives, and building dedications. It offers insight into how SDSU has communicated its mission, academic offerings, and institutional priorities to various stakeholders over time.
This collection is a resource for their comprehensive documentation of South Dakota State University’s official communications, branding evolution, internal messaging, and public outreach. They reflect administrative priorities, institutional culture, and university-community relationships. These materials are particularly useful for researchers studying higher education marketing, land-grant university identity, and institutional communication trends over the 20th and 21st centuries.
