Student Essays

1.05 linear feet (2 document cases, 1 small document case)

This is an artificial collection of student essays written between 1890 and 1901 at South Dakota State University. The collection includes handwritten, typed, stapled, sewn, or bound manuscripts—many with decorative ribbons or illustrated covers demonstrating a variety of student work and material culture from the period. Most essays are approximately twenty pages in length, indicating substantial academic effort. Although all essays include an author and title, they often list only the student’s graduating class rather than the date of composition.

The topics covered are wide-ranging and reflect the interdisciplinary nature of student inquiry during the late 19th century. Many essays focus on English language studies (particularly rhetorical analysis of writers such as Addison, DeQuincey, and Macauley), mechanical and agricultural sciences (such as woodcarving, bridge construction, irrigation, crop studies, and domestic sheep anatomy), and natural sciences (including entomology, embryology, comparative anatomy, and astronomy). Other essays explore themes in domestic science, floriculture, education, music, evolution, and law, showcasing the curriculum diversity and student interests of the era.

Also included is a student petition and a ledger containing meeting minutes, possibly related to early student governance or club activities.

This collection provides insight into student scholarship and academic expectations at SDSU during the university's formative years. It reflects the educational priorities of a land-grant institution and documents early student engagement with both liberal and practical arts. The diversity of subjects illustrates a curriculum balanced between classical education and applied sciences, and the physical attributes of the essays preserve elements of 19th-century student life, material culture, and academic presentation practices.

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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. .sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/researcher-registration-form)

The collection is open for research, but please note that the materials in the Archives do not circulate and can only be used In the SDSU Archives and Special Collections Reading Room.

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In most cases, the materials in this collection have not been digitized and are not available online.

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections supports access to the materials in its collections. However, access to some items may be restricted due to their fragile condition, donor agreements, or other considerations.

If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at: Telephone: 605-688-5094 Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

Reproduction of materials from the collection is subject to the following conditions:

• Permission: Written permission must be obtained from the SDSU Archives for any reproduction, publication, or quotation of materials.
• Copyright: Users are responsible for complying with copyright laws and securing any necessary permissions from copyright holders.
• Fragile Materials: Some items may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition.
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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.