Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1904-2008 (Creation)
Extent
7.0 linear feet (7 records boxes)
Name of creator
Administrative history
Dr. Ethel Austin Martin graduated from South Dakota State University in 1916 and went on to complete graduate studies at Columbia University and the University of Chicago. She taught at several institutions before joining the National Dairy Council in 1929, where she served as Director of Nutrition Services until her retirement. A nationally respected nutritionist, Dr. Martin was instrumental in advancing the field through the development of research grant programs, the organization of nutrition conferences, the founding of academic journals, and the authorship of several influential textbooks.
Before her death in 1993 at the age of 100, Dr. Martin established an endowment at SDSU with the goal of creating a permanent professorship to ensure high-quality, ongoing instruction in nutrition science. That vision was realized in 1997 with the establishment of the Ethel Austin Martin Chair in Human Nutrition, first held by Dr. Bonny Specker.
The Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition was created to advance knowledge in the science of human nutrition through a multidisciplinary approach. It seeks to foster practical applications that improve public health and provide professional development opportunities for students, faculty, and staff at SDSU.
The program supports active research projects both within the program itself and through collaborations with other investigators at SDSU and throughout the region. It provides financial support for pilot projects that involve multidisciplinary partnerships. Educational efforts include formal coursework and support for visiting seminar speakers. A central tradition of the program is the annual E.A. Martin Distinguished Lecture in Human Nutrition, which brings world-renowned experts to campus and reinforces SDSU’s commitment to excellence in nutrition education and research.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection documents the establishment, development, and ongoing activities of the Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition at South Dakota State University. It includes records related to the Endowed Chair, Distinguished Lectureship, Visiting Professorship, and collected publications, as well as a substantial body of personal papers and professional materials created or compiled by Dr. Ethel Austin Martin.
The Endowed Chair records primarily relate to the creation and development of the E.A. Martin Program and its associated academic positions. These files include financial documents, progress reports, human nutrition committee records, and the formal memorandum of agreement with Dr. Martin. Also present are materials pertaining to the Basic Course in Nutrition, including syllabi, textbook selections, course materials, and research. A significant portion of these records consists of correspondence, working papers, and statements authored by Dr. Martin and university staff as they shaped the chair's role in advancing nutrition education and research.
The Distinguished Lecturer records reflect the administration of annual lectureships hosted on campus, supported by Martin’s endowment. These events featured nationally recognized experts in nutrition, each selected for their excellence in a particular area of the field. The files include materials related to lecture planning, speaker selection, publicity, programs, announcements, audio recordings, and documentation of campus and community engagement. Dr. Martin was actively involved in shaping the lecture series, and her correspondence and notes provide insight into the intellectual goals and collaborative spirit of the program.
The Visiting Professorship component represents a unique multidisciplinary initiative that brought leading scholars to SDSU for short-term residencies. Visiting professors provided lectures, led discussions, and worked closely with faculty and students across various departments. These records include program development files, planning committee materials, evaluations, publicity, audio and video recordings, and correspondence with and about visiting scholars. The structure of this program, supported by a rotating task force of faculty and the Human Nutrition Fund Committee, encouraged cross-disciplinary inquiry and contributed to broadening the scope of human nutrition research and education on campus.
The collected publications series contains journal articles, books, newsletters, and proceedings related to nutrition. Most of these materials were gathered by Dr. Martin or the program in support of the Basic Course in Nutrition. They provide context for evolving conversations in the field and reflect the intellectual foundation of the program’s educational goals.
This collection is a resource for understanding the development of nutrition as a multidisciplinary academic and applied field at South Dakota State University. Dr. Ethel Austin Martin’s visionary leadership and generous endowment supported decades of scholarly engagement, educational innovation, and public outreach in human nutrition. The records document the collaborative processes behind major academic programs and events, and preserve the legacy of a pioneering nutritionist who profoundly influenced the direction of nutrition education and research in South Dakota and beyond.
System of arrangement
This collection is arranged into series:
- UA 24.0: Endowed Chair Records
- UA 24.2: Distinguished Lecturer in Human Nutrition Records
- UA 24.3: Visiting Professorship in Human Nutrition Records
- UA 24.4: Collected Publications in Human Nutrition
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Conditions governing access
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Languages of the material
English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling information
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
UA 024.1 Ethel Austin Martin Papers
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Copyright and Use Statement
In Copyright This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copyright Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permissions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.