Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
South Dakota State University Alumni Association
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
The South Dakota State University Alumni Association originated in 1889, when sixteen members of the graduating class of Dakota Agricultural College organized an association to maintain unity among graduates and strengthen ties between alumni and the institution. Early efforts to sustain alumni engagement included organized correspondence and publications, with formal outreach beginning in 1908–1909 under the leadership of Professor B. T. Whitehead. In 1910, the association launched the Alumnus newsletter, edited by Hubert B. Mathews, establishing a communication tradition that later evolved into STATE Magazine. Alumni involvement also contributed to the development of campus traditions, including early support for Hobo Day activities beginning in 1912.
During the mid to late twentieth century, the Alumni Association expanded its organizational structure and physical presence. In 1962, it adopted a resolution supporting the institution’s name change to South Dakota State University, an effort widely attributed to alumni advocacy. After operating from multiple locations, the association pursued a permanent headquarters, resulting in the dedication of the Tompkins Alumni Center in 1976. Subsequent enhancements included a patio and clock tower addition in 1980. In 1992, the Alumni Association incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It later undertook major initiatives such as the Return to Glory campaign, which funded the restoration of the Coughlin Campanile and culminated in its rededication in 2001. The association expanded digital outreach in the early 2000s, established the Jackrabbit Advocates in 2008 to support legislative advocacy for public higher education, and completed renovations to the Tompkins Alumni Center in 2010, including the creation of the Paul Freeburg Archives Room.
In January 2026, the South Dakota State University Alumni Association formally consolidated with the South Dakota State University Foundation to create the SDSU Alumni & Foundation. This merger unified alumni relations and philanthropic advancement under a single organizational structure, reflecting a coordinated approach to alumni engagement, fundraising, and long term institutional support for South Dakota State University.