Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
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 Faculty Women’s Club at South Dakota State College (now South Dakota State University) was established following a meeting convened by Mrs. Elwood C. Perisho, wife of the college president. The organization was formed to promote relationships between female faculty members, faculty wives, and women students, while also encouraging social engagement among club members.
Early organizational efforts resulted in the establishment of four standing committees: the Student Loan Fund Committee, the Extension Committee, the Hospital Bed Committee, and the Faculty Mother Committee. The Extension Committee developed programs for members and disseminated information about the college to prospective students. The Hospital Bed Committee was formed in response to the absence of a campus health service. The Faculty Mother Committee assigned faculty housewives to groups of women students for informal social interaction; this was later discontinued and replaced by a Courtesy Committee.
By 1926, the club maintained three primary committees: Student Loan, Courtesy, and Calling. The Student Loan Committee played a central role, raising funds through events such as benefits, teas, bake sales, film concessions, and graduation collections. These funds provided loans to students, often with small interest charges.
While the club focused largely on campus-related activities, it also participated in local civic initiatives. In the early 1920s, members collaborated with the Civic League on efforts to improve city services, including advocating for a garbage disposal system and beautification of the depot grounds. The club also established a student employment center to connect students with domestic work opportunities.
During the 1930s, the club prioritized maintaining its loan fund, which was secured by a bond. Programming expanded to include topics such as international affairs and travel. The club contributed to community efforts by helping organize the Girl Scouts in Brookings and supporting underprivileged children. They also hosted women attending campus events such as Farm and Home Week and participated in May Day celebrations.
During World War II, club members supported the war effort through Red Cross work, assembling kit bags, and purchasing war bonds and stamps. They welcomed the wives of Army Administration School attendees into the club. This period also saw the formation of interest groups focused on needlework, dramatics, book reviews, and recreation. A Newcomers Club was created to provide a three-year membership opportunity to wives of new male faculty and newly appointed female faculty.
In 1953–1954, the club endorsed the development of an art center and museum on campus, initiating a building fund and establishing a long-term planning committee. By the 1960s, the club had contributed significant financial support to the project. During this decade, the club’s student loan fund was merged with the college’s broader loan program.
In the 1970s, the club expanded its interest group offerings to include horticulture, gourmet cooking, and antiques. Regular monthly meetings were discontinued in favor of gathering three to four times annually. By the 1980s, scholarship administration was transferred to the university’s financial aid office.
The organization continued to evolve through the 1990s. By the late 1990s, the Faculty Women’s Club became the SDSU Club, opening membership to men and reflecting broader institutional changes.