Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
South Dakota State University. Honors College
Van D. and Barbara B. Fishback Honors College
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 Honors College at South Dakota State University was established in the fall of 1999. President Peggy Gordon Elliott initiated the transformation of the existing honors program into a more prestigious college. Harriet Swedlund and Bob Burns were tasked with researching honors programs at other institutions and developing a model suitable for SDSU.
The Honors College was designed to reflect the characteristics of SDSU’s faculty and student body. It offers highly motivated students the opportunity to pursue a challenging and flexible honors curriculum while working toward a degree in any major. The program demonstrates South Dakota State University’s commitment to academic excellence, campus involvement, and academic enrichment.
Students in the Honors College benefit from smaller class sizes and a more rigorous curriculum, while maintaining engagement with the broader university community. The presence of Honors College students contributes to raising academic standards for the wider campus.
The mission of the Honors College is to provide high-quality academic and enrichment opportunities for motivated undergraduate students. Its curriculum is carefully designed yet flexible, emphasizing academic achievement, global awareness, cultural understanding, communication skills, and community service. The college operates on principles of flexibility, accommodation, and vision to adapt to changing needs.
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Legal status
Functions, occupations and activities
Field of Activity: Universities and colleges--Honors courses, Gifted persons--Education