Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Title
Date(s)
- 1935-2001 (Creation)
Extent
14.84 linear feet (11 record boxes, 1 half-document case, 2 oversize boxes)
Name of creator
Biographical history
In 1958, Hilton M. Briggs was appointed president at South Dakota State. He served in that capacity for 17 years, the longest tenure in the presidential office. He received his B.S. from Iowa State University, M.S. from North Dakota State University, and Ph.D. from Cornell University. He held positions as professor and associate dean of agriculture at Oklahoma State University and dean of agriculture at the University of Wyoming. During his tenure, the South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts became South Dakota State University, divisions became colleges, and the campus grew to match its increasing status. The number of departments grew, enrollment increased by more than half, and the number of buildings on campus almost doubled. Briggs was also instrumental in beginning the social fraternities and sororities on campus and initiating women's intercollegiate athletics. He also guided the campus through the controversy and activism of the 1960s and 1970s. The Faculty Association became the Academic Senate with decision-making capacity under Briggs’ leadership, and the Student Association also took on more responsibility. Upon his retirement in 1975, he was designated a Distinguished Professor of Agriculture, taught for two years, and was appointed director of International Programs. He was involved in the development of the Botswana Africa Project, a United States Agency for International Development program for teaching, research, and agricultural extension in that country.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
The Hilton M. Briggs Papers document the professional career, presidency, retirement, and postretirement activities of Hilton M. Briggs, president of South Dakota State University from 1958 to 1975. The collection spans from the 1940s through 2001 and includes correspondence, administrative and biographical materials, speeches, writings, reports, scrapbooks, photographs, clippings, certificates, awards, and memorabilia. Materials document Briggs’ leadership at South Dakota State University, including campus growth, administrative reorganization, alumni relations, presidential housing, athletics, and student life, as well as his involvement in national and international agricultural education initiatives.
The collection contains extensive documentation of Briggs’ retirement and recognition, including congratulatory letters, legislative resolutions, tribute volumes, plaques, trophies, and certificates from professional organizations, alumni groups, agricultural associations, and equine organizations. Significant portions of the collection relate to Briggs’ induction into the Saddle and Sirloin Club portrait collection, including correspondence, photographs, and programs. The papers also include Briggs’ scholarly and professional writings in animal science and agricultural research, progress reports, journal articles, and later reflective writings, including an autobiography.
Photographic materials document university events, campus architecture, travel, family life, professional activities, and Briggs’ long standing involvement with horses and horse shows. Scrapbooks and memorabilia volumes compile news coverage, honors, and personal materials spanning his early career through retirement. The collection also documents Briggs’ work after leaving the presidency, including international agricultural programs, People to People tours, and the Botswana Agricultural College project.
The Hilton M. Briggs Papers document the longest presidential administration in the history of South Dakota State University and a period of substantial institutional transformation. The collection provides evidence of the university’s transition from a college to a university, expansion of academic programs, growth in enrollment and facilities, and changes in shared governance involving faculty and students. Briggs’ writings and administrative records also contribute to the historical study of animal science, agricultural research, and extension education in the mid twentieth century. The extensive recognition materials and retirement documentation reflect Briggs’ national influence in agricultural education, university administration, and livestock and equine communities, while the international materials illustrate the global reach of land grant agricultural expertise during the postwar period.
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
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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.
Please contact us in advance so we can prepare for your visit.
If you cannot visit the Archives in person, please reach out to us. We will do our best to help you find the information you need.
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
Physical access
Technical access
Conditions governing reproduction
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.
- Charges: Reproduction charges may apply, and users will be informed of any costs in advance.
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Acknowledgment: Any reproduced material must include proper acknowledgment of the South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections as the source.
For more information or to request permission, please contact the SDSU Archives.
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
Related Archival Materials
UA 1 President's Office Records, South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Online Content
SDSU President's Collection, Digital Library of South Dakota
Publications
Modern Breeds of Livestock, Hilton M. Briggs, New York, Macmillan, 1949. Archives: SF105.B68m
Seventeen years: a report from South Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, 1975. Archives: S537.S6 S6095
Related descriptions
Notes element
General note
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.