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Little International is a two-day agricultural exposition planned, organized, and implemented by students at South Dakota State University for the benefit of high school and college students. Little International is considered the largest two-day agricultural exposition in the country. The exposition provides students with an opportunity to compete in judging contests, showmanship competitions, and fitting challenges.

Little International has been presented every year since 1921 with only three exceptions. In 1926, it was canceled due to the Scarlet Fever epidemic, and 1944–1945 it was canceled because of World War II. The first Little I was patterned after the Chicago International Livestock Exposition and was held on campus in what is now the Agricultural Heritage Museum. In 1952, Little International was moved to what is now called the Intramural Building. In 1977 it was moved to where it is held today, the Animal Science Arena in. During the week prior to Little International, the student staff prepares the Arena for the exposition. This includes erecting the famous red barn and white fence, adding bleachers, and dying the wood chips green for the show ring. Also, each member of the staff is responsible for ensuring that the specific task of the committee they sit on is accomplished, whether that task is livestock judging or the event schedule.

Little International serves both high school and college students alike. The exposition provides a fun and competitive opportunity for students to develop and refine skills essential for lifelong success in agriculture. Through Little International, students can utilize the two day event, not just as an opportunity to improve their showmanship, fitting, or judging skills, but also to develop time management skills, responsibility, hard work and personal pride - not to mention the networking possibilities and the fun had by all involved with Little International.

Originally built in 1927, Lincoln Hall is currently being renovated and will become the home for the School of American and Global Studies and the administrative offices of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

Building Description
Uniquely historic, the Neo-Classical brick and Bedford limestone building was the university’s library until 1979. It was dedicated in recognition of President Abraham Lincoln’s role in the passing of the Morrill Act, the legislation that became the foundation for land-grant universities. President Calvin Coolidge and First Lady Grace Coolidge were part of the Lincoln Hall dedication that attracted a crowd of nearly 15,000 people. The president and first lady also helped place the plaque on the front of what is also known as Coolidge Sylvan Theater, the outdoor space next to Lincoln Hall.

Lincoln Hall became home to the SDSU music department in 1979 when the Hilton M. Briggs Library opened. In 2018, the music department merged with the theatre department to form the School of Performing Arts, which is housed in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center.

The Latin American Area Studies Program first appeared in the 1976/78 general catalog. The program description has changed little since its beginnings.

The Latin American Area Studies Program is designed to enable students to cross college and departmental lines to pursue, with the study of Spanish, a coordinated study of the geographical, cultural, socio-economic and political life of Latin American countries.

The program is primarily vocational. The curriculum is tailored for those desiring a Latin American background in conjunction with a disciplinary specialization in fields such as history, economics, political science, geography, anthropology, Spanish American literature and sociology, or in one of the professional colleges. As a result, the student will normally carry a major in a particular discipline such as Food and Nutrition or Agronomy together with the Latin American Area Studies program.

This program provides preparation for additional vocational opportunities in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, nursing, Foreign Service, Peace Corps, international business and numerous positions with government, the United Nations and private corporations involved with or in Latin America. It also facilitates improved communication and understanding between the peoples of these countries and the United States.

The first catalog of South Dakota State University contains plans for an engineering course of study. A full course was outlined for interested students, and in 1891, the two members of the graduating class were engineering students. Courses were taught in civil and mechanical engineering, and the electrical engineering course was taught through the Department of Physics, known for a short while as the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering. By 1900, enrollment in the engineering course had grown to such an extent that separate departments for civil, mechanical and electrical engineering were established.

In 1924, all departments of South Dakota State University were arranged into five units known as divisions, precursors of the modern colleges. The Engineering Division offered coursework in electrical, mechanical or civil engineering leading to a Bachelor of Science degree. Physics and mathematics were in the general science division, and the Agriculture Division administered agricultural engineering. All later moved to the Engineering Division and are today part of the College of Engineering.

Decreasing enrollment in engineering courses at the university, combined with ongoing financial problems, led the South Dakota Board of Regents to make an unpopular recommendation in 1976. Known around campus as the Engineering Controversy, the proposal recommended that only one engineering school, to be housed at the School of Mines in Rapid City, was needed in South Dakota. The plans for carrying out the proposal went far, but the proposal was never carried out. Nevertheless, it caused a major stir both in and out of Brookings, and resulted in a renewed interest in the College of Engineering.

In 1986, the College of Engineering established a new program to serve South Dakota. The Engineering and Environmental Research Center was established to serve the university, citizens and industry of South Dakota through a variety of programs. Among the programs established was the Engineering Extension Service, which formalized the extension work of the college. Also included are the Office of Remote Sensing, the South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program, the University/Industry Technology Service and the Manufacturing Extension partnership.

Jerome J. Lohr came to South Dakota State University in the fall of 1955 to pursue a degree in civil engineering. The College of Engineering has produced entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders in the profession throughout its 132-year existence. Yet Jerry Lohr has no peer in terms of his overall and lasting impact of the College - as a donor, fundraiser and advocate.

SDSU decided to honor Lohr's profound role in transforming the college by recommending that it be named the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. SDSU's recommendation was ratified by a committee of the South Dakota Board of Regents, and then accepted by the full Board on June 20, 2013.

Administrative interest and support for varsity athletics was non-existent in the early history of South Dakota State College. This situation was not unique at South Dakota State but very similar to the attitude that existed at other land-grant colleges. College administrators looked upon competitive athletics as frivolous, dangerous and unnecessary pursuits, which were totally incompatible with the philosophy and objectives of higher education. It was left to students interested in competitive athletics to provide the leadership, organization and administration of early athletic endeavors.

Football was organized in the fall of 1885 and like baseball, track and field participation was of the intramural nature. Early athletic endeavors usually found competition between classes or divisions within the college.

Before the turn of the century, intercollegiate athletic competition included a variety of sports and activities: baseball, football, track and field, tennis, bicycle races and oratorical contests were all popular. It is claimed that athletic contests among colleges actually got started as the result of oratorical contests. Contestants in state oratorical competition decided that the value of their meet might be enhanced by the inclusion of some form of physical endeavor.

One of the major obstacles in the development of early athletics was the disregard of the necessity for hiring a coach. Older students or an interested volunteer from the faculty often coached early teams.

The year 1922 marked a new era for South Dakota State athletic teams as the North Central Conference had been formed. Dr. Harry Severin, Professor of Zoology at South Dakota State, played an important role in the formation and administration of the conference and served continuously for 40 years as conference secretary. The first championship contested by the conference was won by South Dakota State College.

South Dakota State University has been very active in intercollegiate athletics since the 1920s. In addition to a great deal of success in North Central conference participation, SDSU has pioneered and promoted many new sports such as: wrestling, gymnastics, field hockey, swimming, and a variety of outstanding sports clubs. / South Dakota State University became an active member of NCAA Division I, starting at the beginning of the 2008-09 academic year.

The Department of Personnel Services changed its name to the Human Resources Office in 2003. This office is responsible for several services at South Dakota State University. These services include employment, fringe benefits, staff training and records management. The mission of this office is to consult with and provide advice to employees and managers to foster a collaborative respectful and high quality work environment.

The Human Resources Office is also responsible for regulatory requirements. They distribute information regarding South Dakota State University and Board of Regents policies, as well as Bureau of Personnel, state, and federal rules and regulations as they relate to human resources. They also answer compliance questions regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The Human Resources Office also determines overtime eligibility.

From January 1921 to June 1939, students of Home Economics at South Dakota State College were required to live in a Practice Cottage. This taught the students management of household operations. During this period, a baby was obtained from orphanages for the students to care for. The care of a child was considered a vital part of the student's training in their practical experience. In 1939, when the nursery school program was added to the home economics curriculum the practice of having a child live in the house was discontinued.

Home Management eventually became Family Resource and Management and a new complex was built in the 1970's.

The Home Economics Club was made up of students interested in professional Home Economics and in homemaking. The club is organized with their own constitution and affiliated through the State Home Economics Association and the American Home Economics Association, now known as the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. Its main purpose is to establish friendships among the faculty and students of the College of Home Economics and to promote professional attitudes and interests. The club plans and carries out activities to promote the program of work and the club. Members plan programs that strive to develop their skills and increased their knowledge, widen their cultural interests, and give experience both professionally and socially to benefit the community, school and nation.

Hobo Day is the homecoming celebration for South Dakota State University and includes a parade through campus, Downtown Brookings, a Jackrabbits football game, and many unique traditions. The first Hobo Day occurred on November 2, 1912. Homecoming thrives at South Dakota State University and is the largest one-day event in the state. The return of alumni to their alma mater for a weekend of football, fun, and memories has flourished and grown over the decades, embodying the essence of Jackrabbit Pride.

Dr. Helen Johnson Van Zante (1906-1990), a distinguished scientist and pioneering developer of the home microwave oven, grew up on a farm in Brookings County, SD. She attended South Dakota State College [SDSC] where she graduated with a degree in mathematics. Later, she pursued advanced graduate work in physics at Iowa State University, which was very unusual study for a woman in the 1930s, where she completed a doctor's degree. While at SDSC, she studied traditional studio arts with Professor Ada B. Caldwell, which led to a lifelong avocation as a painter of still life, landscape, and genre subjects. Dr. Van Zante bequeathed a collection of her paintings to the Department of Visual Arts following a retrospective exhibition in the Ritz Gallery in 1987.

Dr. Van Zante received an honorary doctorate from South Dakota State University in 1987. In 1989, Van Zante received recognition from the South Dakota Board of Regents as a Centennial Alumni. She also established the substantial Van Zante Endowment to support visiting professors on such subjects as housing, home furnishings, and household technology, which the Interior Design program in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences developed along with the Department of Visual Arts. This endowment supports the Van Zante Visiting Professorships in the Visual Arts and Design Forums in Interior Design at South Dakota State University. The visiting professorship brings artists to the university campus for annual design forums, allowing students the opportunity to learn first-hand from working artists.

The Greek Council is the governing body of the Greek system at South Dakota State University. The Council develops and enforces policies, which help ensure a healthy future for the system. The Council also coordinates educational programs, Greek Week, an all-campus philanthropy project, and other activities. Men's fraternities recognized at South Dakota State University in 1999 are Alpha Gamma Rho, FarmHouse, Lambda Chi Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Phi Delta and Sigma Phi Epsilon. Women's sororities recognized at South Dakota State University in 1999 are Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, and Ceres.

South Dakota State University (SDSU) granted its first Master of Science degree in 1891. The first Master of Education degree and Doctor of Philosophy degree were granted in 1958. A committee supervised all graduate work until 1957, when the Graduate School was established.

The Graduate School operates as one unit with no departments or department heads. The Graduate School is committed to providing an atmosphere for qualified students to obtain rigorous advance education in a variety of fields in preparation for service and leadership in their professions and society. It also promotes scholarly pursuits and scientific research for the advancement of knowledge within a climate of freedom of inquiry. The Master of Science, Master of Arts, and Master of Education degrees are offered in approximately 30 majors. The Doctor of Philosophy is offered in agronomy; animal science; atmospheric, environmental, and water resources; biological sciences, chemistry; and sociology. The Master of Science Teaching degree was discontinued July 1, 1996, and no new students were admitted after that date.

The graduate faculty is composed of the university president, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Administration, graduate dean, college deans, heads of departments in which graduate courses are given and other faculty, chosen on the basis of their training and experience, in accordance with the policies of the Graduate School. The Graduate Faculty acts on all matters of policy and standards. In addition, individual Graduate Faculty are authorized to serve as adviser to graduate students or, on their examining committees and to teach courses for graduate credit.

A Graduate Council of nine members elected from the Graduate Faculty assists the Graduate Dean. The council includes the Graduate Dean (chair); one member each from Animal Sciences, Biological Sciences, Education and Counseling, Engineering Sciences, Health Sciences, Physical Sciences, Plant Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities. The Dean of the Library serves as an ex-officio member.

The Global Studies major and minor were first offered at South Dakota State University in 2004. It is an interdisciplinary program to give students a wide variety of classes and background. This program is designed to produce graduates who are globally literate, open to diverse societies and cultures, and skilled in a modern, foreign language.

This program seeks to provide students with an up-to-date understanding of the components of global studies, appraisals of the current status of global events, and job opportunities in small international businesses, global corporations, various governmental agencies within the United States and abroad, non-governmental organizations and others. A primary objective of this program is to provide global citizen training and general learning essential for understanding and appreciating the relationship of the individual to the world community. / Global Studies is now offered through the Department of Modern Languages and Global Studies.

The South Dakota State University Foundation is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of South Dakota State University. The Foundation was created in 1946, largely inspired by the need to provide funding for an invention by Professor E.L. Erickson. The mission of the SDSU Foundation is: "Uniting the dreams of our students, university and donors to build a better SDSU." The Foundation raises and administers scholarship funds that benefit more than 4,500 students, and spearheads private fundraising campaigns for multi million-dollar capital projects, including the state-of-the-art Avera Health and Science Center. The Foundation is guided by a 95-member Council of Trustees.

Beginning in 1971, the Florence and Geraldine Fenn Scholarship was offered to students in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. Geraldine Fenn had created this scholarship as a memorial to her sister Florence.

The scholarship offers students an opportunity to learn about other ways of life by spending six weeks living and working in inner city Denver. The students were given a limited amount of money to use for their expenses to teach them about low-income lifestyles. They were required to find their own housing and learn to use the Denver bus system. The students generally worked for the Denver welfare office and various shelters and daycare in the city. The scholarship was usually given to two to four students per summer.

The first meeting of the Faculty Women's Club was held at the home of Mrs. Elwood C. Perisho, wife of the president of South Dakota State College. She called some of the faculty women and wives of faculty men together to propose establishing an organization that would form a relationship between women of the faculty and women students. The purpose of the group was to bring about a closer acquaintance between faculty women and women students and to help them in many specific ways. At the same time, the organization was to promote social enjoyment among women of the club.

There were many ideas suggested for the organization of the club, with four standing committees eventually adopted. One of the committees was a student loan fund committee. An extension committee brought useful programs to club members and sent information about State College to out-of-town girls. Since there was no student health service on campus, a hospital bed committee was created. Finally, a Faculty Mother Committee was established. In this committee, faculty housewives were assigned a group of girls to call on and entertain informally. This was later dropped for lack of interest and a Courtesy Committee was added in its place.

In the 1920's, the Faculty Women's Club was very active. By 1926, there were three standing committees, Student Loan, Courtesy, and a Calling Committee. Of particular interest and value was the work of the Student Loan Committee. Money was raised for the fund through various benefits, teas, bake sales, motion pictures concessions, graduation night collections, etc. Loans were advanced to those in need and a small interest payment was added to the repayment schedule.

Although club members were involved with mostly campus activities, they were also concerned with city affairs. In the early 1920's, the club worked with the Civic League to ask for a city garbage disposal system and a program to beautify the depot grounds. They also set up an employment center where students could be hired as domestics doing housework and babysitting.

The 1930's were lean years for Faculty Women's Club. Club members kept busy trying to build up and maintain the loan fund. The club's loan fund was secured by a bond. During this era, the group branched out from its recreational programs and added programs on international affairs and travel lectures. They assisted in organizing the Girl Scouts in Brookings and worked to help needy children. They continued to service the college by entertaining women attending the annual Farm and Home Week conference and initiating May Day festivities.

Faculty Women's Club members served the World War II effort with Red Cross work, filling kit bags and buying war bonds and stamps. The wives of men involved in the Army Administration School on campus were welcomed in the club. Interest groups were started and included needlework, dramatics, book reviews, and recreation. An auxiliary group, the Newcomers Club, was organized. Wives of new faculty men and new women faculty members were eligible for membership in the club for three years.

In 1953-54, Faculty Women's Club favored the establishment of an art center and museum on the campus of South Dakota State College. They started a building fund and appointed a committee to work out a long-term plan for the project. By the 1960s, the club had turned over thousands of dollars toward the art center project. It was also during this time that the student loan fund was united with the college loan fund program.

In the 1970's, the club started having more interest groups, like horticulture, gourmet cooking, and antiques. They stopped having monthly meetings and began to meet only three or four times a year. The awarding of scholarships was transferred to the financial aid office on campus by the 1980s. The club continued to evolve throughout the 1990's. By the late 1990's, the Faculty Women's Club evolved into the SDSU Club and began to include men in its membership.

South Dakota State University has an important history of faculty governance. In 1946, the faculty formed a Faculty Association to promote faculty interests and faculty welfare. Although it was not a decision-making body, the association had some influence on university policy and decision-making. By the mid-1960's, however, faculty had begun to request a more official role in campus politics. After much discussion, they voted to form an Academic Senate, to be implemented in 1970. The Faculty Association assisted in the transition, and then disbanded in 1972.

The Senate was created to be a representative voice for faculty, researchers, campus-based extension specialists, and non-teaching professional staff. Other institutions have governance bodies, but the Academic Senate at South Dakota State University is unique in composition, authority and focus.

The Academic Senate is an elected body through which the faculty expresses its concerns for the welfare of the university community, develops and disseminates ideas for university improvement, stimulates communication, contributes to the formation of general university policy, and performs those duties and functions especially allocated to or assumed by the faculty, subject to the limitation imposed by the laws of the State of South Dakota and the rules of the Board of Regents. Constitutional authority is granted for policy formulation and approval of academic affairs, faculty affairs, student affairs and senate affairs.

Faculty meetings were held fairly regularly at South Dakota State University for the vast majority of its history. The president called together faculty, and proceeded to inform them of happenings both on campus and off. In the early years, these meetings were more than mere informational sessions. Faculty made decisions about policies and procedures, in addition to learning about things of import. As the college grew, however, meetings such as these became impossible to hold, and decision-making bodies like the Council of Deans evolved. Meetings were still held for informational needs however.

By the late 1940's, faculty seemed no longer satisfied with mere faculty meetings. Although they continued to attend the meetings, other campus organizations such as Faculty Association evolved to become advocates for the faculty. By the mid 1960's, even this group was not enough, and the Academic Senate began to form. According to President Emeritus H. M. Briggs, by this point in time the regular faculty meeting was more like a town meeting than anything else, with anyone who wanted to, showing up and eventually speaking. Attendance was not required, and the meetings were purely informational. By the early 1970's, meetings ceased to be held monthly, and were instead held each semester and as needed.

The Faculty Association papers represent the initial founding of the South Dakota State College [SDSC] The Faculty Association in 1946 and its evolution through the years. The stated purpose of the Faculty Association was to perfect some administrative measure that would insure unity and cooperation between the faculty, administration and Regents. According to the first constitution, this included a way to provide procedures for carrying out duties and responsibilities of the faculty, and as a way for faculty to cooperate and to elect representatives. Membership in this organization included all faculty members with the rank of instructor or above.

The Faculty Association was never a decision-making body. Rather, its role was to provide an outlet for questions related to general faculty welfare. The association did elect up to 5 representatives to the President's Administrative Council, which was the governing council of administrators and did act as a policy making body.

By the late 1960's, the role of the Faculty Association changed slightly. When the faculty voted to create an Academic Senate, the Faculty Association was phased out slowly, to allow for transition. In 1970, after the faculty voted to create an Academic Senate, the Faculty Association continued to meet for continuity's sake. After 1972, they ceased to function at all.

Physical Plant is a service organization established for the sole purpose of providing the physical environment and related services, which will best serve the primary objectives of the university. The Physical Plant operates on a budget derived from an annual allotment of state appropriated funds, charges from services and supplies furnished to certain departments or activities, and the allocation of maintenance and repair funds by the Board of Regents for specific projects.

The services furnished by Physical Plant are the operation, maintenance, repair and remodeling of university buildings and grounds, and the operation and repair of certain types of equipment. Services include custodial service in academic, administrative and some research buildings, central mailing, U.S. mail delivery, moving service, security service, trash collection and disposal, key and lock service, pest control, utilities operation and maintenance, building and land inventory management, setups for special events, facilities engineering, liaison between the university and other organizations concerned with new construction, maintenance and repair and remodeling projects.

The Physical Plant changed its name to Facilities and Services in 2008.

Dr. Ethel Austin Martin graduated from SDSU in 1916 and went on to do graduate work 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. Dr. Martin was a distinguished nutritionist who was instrumental in developing research grant programs, instituting nutrition conferences, founding journals, and writing several nutrition textbooks.

Before her death in 1993 at age 100, she established an endowment at South Dakota State University with the ultimate objective of providing for a permanent professorship to ensure continuing high-level instruction in the science of nutrition. Dr. Martin's goal was realized in 1997, when the Ethel Austin Martin Chair in Human Nutrition was established and subsequently filled by Dr. Bonny Specker.

The purpose of the Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition is to advance knowledge in the science of human nutrition through a multidisciplinary approach, to encourage practical applications in improving human health, and to offer professional enrichment in nutrition for all students, faculty and staff at SDSU. The advancement of knowledge in the science of human nutrition is takes place through both research and educational programs using a multidisciplinary approach.

The E.A. Martin Program advances nutrition knowledge with these campus activities: Active research projects both within the program, as well as collaborative efforts with other investigators from SDSU and the region. Financial support for pilot projects is provided to faculty at SDSU who propose collaborative nutrition projects that utilize a multidisciplinary approach. Educational programs such as formal courses, as well as support for invited seminar speakers. The annual E.A. Martin Distinguished Lecture in Human Nutrition has been a long standing tradition at SDSU, bringing in world-renowned speakers in the field of human nutrition.

The Essential Networking and Training for Entrepreneurship [ENTRE] program provides training for people who may have an interest in pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities. This is an intensive 10-session course that allows participants to test and research their business ideas. The mission of ENTRE is to foster and promote entrepreneurship and economic development in the state and to develop programs for the general business community or various specialty groups.

The Engineering Resource Center, established in 1986, exists to serve the university, citizens, and industry in South Dakota. Complementary outreach and/or technology transfer programs combine to make up the center. Thus, the knowledge gained from one program often supports or strengthens another program. The programs are: 1) Engineering Extension; 2) Office of Remote Sensing; 3) South Dakota Space Grant Consortium; 4) South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program; 5) University/Industry Technology Service; 6) Manufacturing Extension Partnership; and 7.) Essential Networking and Training for Entrepreneurship.

The Engineering Resource Center may undertake projects directly or use project teams composed of students, university faculty, and non-university experts. These teams may be discipline-specific or interdisciplinary. The center has an on-line expertise database to identify potential faculty and industrial consultants. Another database contains information on the manufacturers and processors in South Dakota.

The mission of Engineering Extension is to assist the private and public sectors of the state with their technical needs for the purpose of economic development. These programs satisfy these needs: 1) Occupational safety and health surveys of the workplace for any South Dakota employers who request the service. 2) Training workshops and seminars to update skills regarding technical needs and to certify individuals who are required to work under specific government regulations (e.g. asbestos).

In 1968, the South Dakota State Legislature created the Office of Commissioner of Higher Education and specified that one of the first and most important duties was to develop and Academic Master Plan. A committee was formed in June 1969 with seven study groups to develop a master plan. The groups were designated to study admissions, building needs, retention's and transfers, enrollment, financial aid, faculty salaries, and working conditions. The group responsible for studying academic programs and the roles of each institution was known as Committee D.

The plan made many recommendations which applied to public higher education in South Dakota which did not create much controversy. However, a matter which caused major concern on the SDSU campus was the fate of the College of Engineering. The Committee recommended that the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology absorb the SDSU College of Engineering for a projected cost savings of $200,000. This created controversy across the state of South Dakota.

The Office of Information Technology provides the technology, skills, and services that contribute to and support the land-grant mission of South Dakota State University and is committed to creating an environment in which faculty and students develop opportunities which will make them successful in their scholarship, research, and creative activities. In addition, the office actively promotes the incorporation of technology as a means of effectively and efficiently conducting University business. For assistance, faculty and staff may contact any of the following information technology units.

Administrative and Research Computing: ARC provides computational resources for large-scale research on campus. Analysis and computer programming for management information and student information support are also ARC priorities. / Classroom Technology Services: This group is responsible for technology-enhanced and DDN classrooms located on the University campus. This includes the initial installation of equipment, its maintenance, and upgrades.

eSDSU Laptop Center: The eSDSU Laptop Center is dedicated to bringing the latest technology to students with guaranteed service and on-site support. By partnering with Gateway and Apple companies to create customized packages for students, we are able to offer top-of-the-line systems at educational pricing, while providing certified technical support.

Information Security: This team ensures University data security and establishes protocols to protect information, users, and the University.

Information Technology Operations: This group is responsible for the daily management of the Office of Information Technology and coordinating IT units and services, as well as managing Inside State, the eSDSU Laptop Center, the Faculty Upgrade and Redistributed System programs, and the Student Information Technology Services: ITS serves as the primary point of contact for all students, faculty, and staff needing tech support, through its operation of the Support Desk. Equipment loan, repair, and the maintenance of general-use computer labs are also the responsibility of ITS.

Instructional Design Services: This team offers faculty services in instructional design, distributed learning, and the use of integrated media in the classroom. They also provide students and staff with training in a wide variety of software programs and applications, as well as instruction in the use of equipment.

Student Technology Fellows (STF) Program: Admittance into this elite undergraduate program pays the equivalent of 32 credit hours of tuition and general fees for each academic year the student is enrolled. In return for this stipend (paid monthly), STFs provide technology support to faculty and the University. / University Networking Systems and Services: UNSS provides the infrastructure upon which SDSU's technology systems are built and assures internet access to the campus community. In addition, they maintain the server farm, on which the majority of institutional software and applications are run.

In February of 1942, the Regents of Education of South Dakota adopted a plan for the college organization to be changed to from a Junior and Senior College Division. The functions of the Junior College Division included student personnel services, Senior College preparatory curricula, and terminal curricula. Raymond Y. Chapman was employed as the Director of this Division. In 1949, the Junior College organization was abandoned as such and the Division of Student Personnel Services was organized with Chapman as Dean. As the college grew and administrations changed, the responsibilities of the Division of Student Personnel Services increasingly enlarged and the several student personnel services on the campus were centralized in the Division of Student Personnel Services. This centralization was an apparent effort to reduce the number of individual departments reporting directly to the president of the college and place certain responsibilities in a more limited number of offices and officials. In 1969, an Associate Dean of Student Personnel Services was appointed in order to prepare for the retirement of R.Y. Chapman, who had been Dean since the Division was established in 1949. Plans also began for the reorganization of the Division into a comprehensive Student Services Division. New programs and revised procedures were initiated during 1970. The Division was again reorganized in 1986 and the name was changed to Student Affairs Division. This name remains today.

Until 1958, the Dean of the Division of Student Personnel Services was primarily responsible for determination of administrative policy and program direction of the division and was advised by the president of the college and the Administrative Council together with the actions and recommendations by the faculty and department heads. The Committee on Student Personnel Services also advised the dean. This committee, which was appointed by the president, was chaired by the dean and consisted of the Dean of Women, Dean of Men, Director of Student Activities, Director of Housing, Director of Food Services, the college nurse, and student personnel. This committee served as a policy-recommending group and on a consulting basis until the 1958-60 biennium when the committee was abandoned. Beginning in 1958, staff meetings including representatives of all phases of Student Personnel Services were initiated to facilitate communications within the division.

The Student Affairs Division provides services and activities, which are designed to help the student gain the greatest benefit from their university education. This purpose has been reflected in the annual and biennial reports throughout the years.

Many functions are controlled within the framework of the Student Affairs Division. These functions are: testing services, student counseling services, orientation of new students, administration of the General Registration program, terminal course program, in-service training of faculty counselors, educational research and measurement, teaching of counselor practicum course, veterans records, loans and scholarships, and placement of students (part- and full-time). Responsibilities of the Student Affairs Division that have been handled primarily by the dean over the years are freshman and New Student Week, Student Personnel Records, General Registration, and Terminal Curricula.

Some functions are controlled cooperatively within the framework of the Student Affairs Division and outside agencies. These functions are student health services, student housing, student activities, food services, admissions and records activities, and high school relations activities.

The Division of Research and Economic Development supports competitive and strategic research, scholarship, and creative activity. The university's diverse research covers a range of disciplines, including agriculture, engineering, remote sensing, life sciences, nursing, pharmacy, and the arts and humanities.

Our researchers collaborate with partners in academia, industry, and the community to solve pressing challenges and support South Dakota's economic development.

Art has always been taught at South Dakota State University. The earliest courses of study required women students to take drawing and painting, and drawing appeared in all curricula for men. Later more courses in art education, fine arts, and visual arts developed, through the Department of Art.

The Department of Visual Arts courses are designed to provide students with studio and lecture experiences in art regardless of their major. For students wishing to pursue careers as artists, art educators, or designers, the programs offer the background for careers after graduation or further advanced study. Students may pursue a Visual Arts degree with concentrations in art education, graphic design, fine arts and general art.

South Dakota State University established the School of Design July 1st, 2015 by bringing together art, design, and architecture studies formerly housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Sciences, and the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.

The Veterinary Science Department provides advising services to students in the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum and offers courses in the biomedical sciences for undergraduate and graduate majors in related sciences. The department also offers several graduate research assistantship positions in microbiology, virology, and molecular biology for students majoring in other departments. Active research programs in diseases of food-producing animals support graduate training.

The State of South Dakota does not have a professional College of Veterinary Medicine. A pre-veterinary medicine curriculum is offered which allows students to obtain prerequisites for application of Colleges of Veterinary Medicine in other states. Students may meet requirements in two or three years of pre-veterinary study. Many students complete a major for the Bachelor of Science Degree before entering the professional curriculum of Veterinary Medicine. Many degree options are available to students in the pre-veterinary medicine curriculum, but popular choices include Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, and Dairy Science. Students typically select a BS option late in their freshman year or during their sophomore year.

In 2011, the department changed its name to the Veterinary & Biomedical Sciences Department. The new name better reflects the activities of the department, especially relative to the research work with zoonotic pathogens and the training of its students under the One Health concept.

The department has always had a strong mission related to preparing undergraduate students for entry into veterinary colleges within the region, training graduate students for careers related to veterinary or human infectious disease research or careers in diagnostic medicine, and providing public service through South Dakota’s only animal health diagnostic laboratory, the SD Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (ADRDL).

The Student Union and Activities office manages the University Student Union and co-curricular programming for students to develop leadership abilities, increase cultural awareness, and provide recreational activities.

Services provided by the department include the Leisure Skills Center (billiards, video arcade, banner making, rental of camping and cross country ski equipment, off-campus housing), Information Exchange (check cashing, fax service, ticket sales), Technical Services (lighting, staging, and sound for events), and Central Reservations. The Student Enrichment Programs office provides advisement and support for the University Program Council, which includes arts, community service, concerts, Hobo Day, lectures and forums, publicity and graphics, recreation and travel, Showcase, and special events, the Greek system, and all student organizations; as well as the coordination of the New Student Orientation Program.

Other student organizations and services housed in the Union are the Collegian / Jackrabbit publications, Students' Association, the campus radio station (KSDJ 90.7), and Student Legal Services.

Sociology was established as a formal department at South Dakota State University in 1925. Courses were taught in sociology before that time in the history and political science departments. The first course with a particular rural focus was taught in 1913-14.

The development of rural sociology as a department occurred primarily because of the Purnell Act of 1925. This act provided funding for research in sociology and economics, and South Dakota State University responded by forming department in those areas. By the 1930's, the department was established enough to be in charge of sociological research with the WPA. From 1933-1942, cooperative between government agencies and the department was common, and this assisted in carving the place rural sociology now holds at South Dakota State University.

The curriculum of South Dakota State University has grown enormously since the one class initially taught. Students may now receive a BA or a BS in sociology in one of six options: general sociology, teaching, social work, human services, criminal justice, or personnel service. Since 1932, the department has offered an MS in rural sociology. In 1961, a social science Ph. D. program began. In this unique program, students could select from a combination of courses in history, political science, psychology, economics and sociology and receive a Ph. D. After three years, the joint program was dropped and the Ph. D. became available only in sociology.

The Department of Sociology and Rural Studies continues to hold its own in the College of Agriculture and Biological Science. The courses offered by the department have been organized with three definite objectives in mind: 1) a sequence for those who may wish to earn an undergraduate major or minor in sociology; 2) basic service courses that will be of interest and practical help to students in any college; and 3) courses to fulfill requirements of a Master's degree or Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sociology.

Courses in psychology were first introduced at South Dakota State University in 1885 as a combination of philosophy and psychology. In 1913, psychology was merged into the Department of Education. After 1913, the offerings slowly grew from two to twelve courses and staffing increased. In 1954, the Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology was authorized. Except for the years 1938-41 when psychology existed as a separate department, psychology remained in association with education until 1967 when it was again combined with philosophy as a separate department. The following year it again became an independent Department of Psychology and has so remained. The Department of Psychology offers a BS degree. Within the psychology major, students may pursue a pre-professional curriculum, an applied curriculum, a teaching option (preparation for secondary school teaching) or a psychological services option.

The first catalog of the college, 1884-1885, listed political economy as a course of instruction. Political economy was a common 19th century composite subject, which included not only political science and economics, but sociology as well. During the 1890's, departmental grouping began to be formed and political science courses were included in a succession of departments. In 1905, the Department of History and Political Science was created. This was the administrative home for these two disciplines until they were split in 1967.

Political science courses are designed to achieve several objectives: 1) convey the values and tradition of our democratic governmental institutions and processes and encourage students to assert their talents in preserving and nurturing those values and traditions through participation in the body politic; 2) promote global awareness and understanding; 3) engender critical thinking and a high proficiency in communication skills; 4) serve the other social sciences as a cognate field; 5) provide the student majoring in political science with foundation and advanced courses in the many sub-disciplines of political science which, in turn, will contribute to the student's intellectual growth and occupational pursuits.

Political Science is now merged into the Department of Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

The Plant Science Department was formed in 1969, when the Agronomy Department and the Plant Pathology Department were combined. Ten years later, entomologists joined the department when the Entomology and Zoology Department was eliminated. The history of the Plant Science Department, then, is really the history of these three departments.

Instruction in agronomy was a core part of the South Dakota State University curriculum from the outset. In 1888, the first agronomy crops were sown with the assistance of the Agricultural Experiment Station, establishing a pattern that continues to this day. In 1897, when departments were formally organized, agronomy coursework was found in the Geology and Agronomy Department. By 1902, agronomy had achieved its independence from geology and an independent department was formed. Through the years, the department strengthened and expanded, developing strong areas of research and teaching in plant breeding, crop and soil science, and seed varieties, among others. Different faculty had different interests, but the overall work of the department remained mostly unchanged until it joined with plant pathology.

The plant pathology department followed much the same pattern as the agronomy department. Through the years, research in plant pathology as conducted through the Agricultural Experiment Station and courses were taught, although the department went by a number of different names. In the earliest years, courses were taught in the Botany Department. In 1911, the name changed to Botany and Plant Pathology, where it remained until 1918. From 1918-1923, the department was Botany and Plant Diseases, from 1924-1928 Botany and Plant Pathology, 1928-1950 Botany, Plant Pathology and Bacteriology. Finally, in 1950 the department became known as Plant Pathology.

The Entomology and Zoology Department was a department from 1920-1979. Courses were taught in those subjects from 1887, however, and scientific investigations in those areas were performed at the Agricultural Experiment Station from 1888. Initially, the administration of the Entomology and Zoology Department fell under the General Science Division, but in 1925, it moved to the agriculture division. In general, instructors in these subjects were sparse, but courses continued to develop. From 1938-1963, wildlife and wildlife management classes were taught through the department, but eventually they separated into their own area. The fate of the entomology and zoology subjects was not as good, however, and in 1979, the department was dissolved. The entomologists went to the Plant Science Department, and the zoologists moved to biology.

The department was merged with the Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks in the summer of 2011. The expertise of the faculty and staff span the fields of: agronomy, entomology, genetics/plant breeding, horticulture, landscape architecture, plant pathology, plant physiology, soil science, and weed science. The department offers undergraduate programs leading to a B.S. in either: Agronomy, Horticulture or Landscape Architecture; and at the graduate level, M.S. and Ph. D. training in Agronomy or Biological Science. Plant Science has a robust research program that consistently ranks at, or near, the top of departments at SDSU for research expenditures and productivity.

The department is housed in six buildings across campus. These buildings provide research and teaching laboratories, greenhouses, seed house facilities and access to the functional genomics core facility. The on-campus facilities also include the SDSU Seed Testing Laboratory, SDSU Plant Diagnostics Clinic, Seed Certification, and Foundation Seed Stocks Division, which we operate as services for the public. In addition, we conduct research at 3 research farms near campus and 4 research stations across the state. The Field Specialists are housed in 6 regional extension offices across the state. The latest addition is the new McCrory Gardens Education and Outreach Center.

The Physics Department has three main objectives in its program offerings: (1) to serve students interested in engineering as a profession; (2) to serve students from various colleges within the university who need a basic understanding of physics; and (3) to serve students with an interest in a professional future in physics. The department is composed of appropriate professional staff, facilities, and equipment to support these objectives.

The curriculum in Engineering Physics is built around a strong core of physics courses complemented by courses from engineering departments. Students can earn an Engineering Physics degree with an emphasis in either mechanical or electrical engineering by selecting appropriate courses from one of these two areas. This major is designed to give students the ability to apply new research developments to pressing problems of society and is most attractive for those students interested in industrial employment. Graduates with an engineering physics degree typically enter employment as an engineer or continue graduate work in a field such as nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering.

The curriculum in Physics is an option similar to the Engineering Physics curriculum that is not necessarily directed toward engineering. Not requiring the depth of engineering courses allows the Physics curriculum more flexibility to accommodate a wide range of student interests. Students interested in a professional physics career, graduate school, medical school, secondary physics education, meteorology, or a multitude of related areas can choose this option. This flexibility is achieved by building a curriculum around a core of 28 required semester credits in physics. Listings of elective courses for various technical careers are available in the Physics Department office.

The Department of Physics is now administratively located in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Prior to the establishment of the Department of Philosophy and Religion in 1968, instruction in those areas was somewhat sporadic. Area clergy occasionally taught religion courses through the college. The 1947-48 catalog first mentions this arrangement. College faculty taught philosophy courses, however.

Philosophy courses have been taught since the founding of the college. Instruction in "moral philosophy" was required by the Morrill Act, which established land grant colleges, including South Dakota State University. A chair of Psychology and Philosophy was established in 1885. A Department of Philosophy was established in 1906, and for a short while philosophy, psychology, and education courses were taught through it. Courses were moved to the Education Department in 1913 and remained there until a Department of Psychology and Philosophy was established in 1967. In 1968, these disciplined splits, with psychology becoming an independent department and philosophy joining with religion.

In 1975, the department was allowed to offer the minor in philosophy and in 1978 the minor in religion. Efforts were made to develop a major in philosophy but the Board of Regents denied the request.

Students from any major may undertake the academic study of philosophy at South Dakota State University. The academic study of religion is designed to enrich the student's perspectives and introduce some of the important feature of philosophy and religion.

Philosophy and Religion is now merged into the Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

Human nutrition and foods courses have been a part of the home economics curriculum since the beginning of South Dakota State University. The earliest cooking courses broadened into foods courses and by 1907, dietetic courses joined the curriculum. By 1918-19, the catalog states that course work prepared students to work in institutions and the cafeterias in the dormitories were used for laboratory experiences.

In 1924, when the divisional organization of South Dakota State College was completed, the Foods and Nutrition department was established.

The Agricultural Experiment Station funded the first nutrition and foods research. This added an important dimension to the Food and Nutrition Department. Through the years, the curriculum saw many major revisions and was constantly under review to provide courses that had contemporary relevance to the various majors.

In 1955, a program in restaurant management was started. Today, the Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management program provides a firm foundation in both lodging and food service operational management supported by a strong background in business and economics. On-the-job work experience for practicum credit strengthens the academic program. Students are prepared for management careers in hotels, motels, restaurants, private clubs, airlines, and food services in various industrial, health care and school facilities. The dietetics program has seen many changes over the years. Some of these changes include admission to a Dietetic Coordinated Undergraduate Program and eligibility to take the Dietetic Registration Examination upon completion of their undergraduate program. Today, the Nutrition and Food Science-Dietetics Option prepares students for a variety of jobs in hospitals, nursing homes, public health agencies, industries, schools, universities, the armed services, and state, national and international organizations. Through the program in dietetics, students develop understanding and competency in food, nutrition, and management of a dietary department. The curriculum is approved by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Completion of an internship at one of approximately 155 sites in the U.S. or other ADA approved experience qualifies the student to take the registration exam.

In 1966, food science was added as an option for students. Students in this major had the opportunity to use a variety of equipment and facilities available for teaching and research. Today, the Nutrition and Food Science-Food Science Option prepares students for professional positions in the food processing industry or for graduate study in food science. The program of study is firmly based upon chemistry and the biological sciences. Students find employment as entry-level professionals in the food industry and various federal and state regulatory agencies. / The Department of Nutrition, Food Science and Hospitality offers the Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management and Nutrition and Food Science (Dietetics and Food Science options) and a minor in Nutrition.

In 1938, the first Conservation of Natural Resources course was taught in the South Dakota State University Entomology and Zoology Department. In 1939, the college catalog listed conservation and management of wildlife as a course of study. Classes in the area continued to develop through the years. By 1950, two curricula were available to students, one leading to a BS in agriculture, the other to a BS in wildlife techniques and conservation. In 1957, graduate courses were added, eventually leading to an MS in the two areas. In 1963, these developments led South Dakota State University to establish a separate Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department.

The department has continued to grow through the years. A wildlife extension agent has been in the department since 1970, and faculty numbers have grown significantly. While the wildlife techniques major was dropped, other areas of study are now available. Today, the Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Department offers the Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. This degree is intended to educate students in preparation for positions with state and federal agencies and private companies.

The department changed its name to the Department of Natural Resources Management. Its mission is to conduct research, educate at all levels, and provide services and outreach that benefit South Dakotan's and society as a whole. The department addresses basic and applied research questions and approaches in: Ecology and Environmental Science, Rangeland Ecology and Management, and Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences.

Music has been taught at South Dakota State University since its founding in 1881. The department was first called the Department of Music and Physical Culture. During the 1904-05 school year, a four-year Department of Music was created with four faculty members. Courses in piano, voice, stringed instruments, orchestra, pipe organ, band instruments, and theoretical studies were available. The courses were continued until the Great Depression years when the music major was dropped. It was not reinstated until after World War II. Once the music major was reinstated, course work in music went on much as before. In addition to coursework, students interested in music could participate in a number of extracurricular activities, including chorus, orchestra, and band.

Significant curriculum changes occurred in 1975, resulting in a growth in enrollment of music majors that included the establishment of three-degree programs – BA in Music, BS in Music, BME (Bachelor of Music Education), and the National Accreditation of the Music Program.

According to the 1996-98 Bulletin, the Music Department offers three-degree options: BA-Music Major, MS-Music Merchandising Major, and Bachelor of Music Education. A Minor in Music is also available.

Although recognized since the establishment of South Dakota State University as an essential part of a liberal education, foreign language instruction was sporadic and, at times, nonexistent during the early years. Around 1901, Modern Languages became a regular department. French and German programs were developed, but Latin suffered an early demise, disappearing as a college subject after 1909 and from the Preparatory Department after 1911. The years of 1916-1921 were years of great importance. The courses in German and French had good attendance, and the staff was well qualified. Due to World War I, however, German was dropped in 1917 and was not taught again until 1930, consequently, Spanish was introduced.

In the 1950's, a Russian program was initiated and a composite BS Degree in Foreign Languages was approved. The 1960's saw growth of the Department of Modern Languages in both the laboratory and enrollment. A composite BA Degree in Modern Languages was approved and BA and BS Degrees were approved in French, German, Russian and Spanish. In 1969, Russian was dropped and was not taught again until the 1990's.

The Department of Modern Languages & Global Studies has as its primary mission the undergraduate teaching of languages, literature's, and cultures to South Dakota State University students, both as majors and minors, and offering service courses for all other degrees on campus. The department aspires to offer to students the best preparation possible for their future careers in the fields of their choice, so they will be proficient speakers of the target language, cross-culturally competent and critical thinkers. In addition, the department follows a strong tradition of service within the community, the state of South Dakota and beyond. Faculty in the department combine these two areas with research and scholarship in related disciplines, from research on cultural studies and literature, to the scholarship of teaching and learning, to the dissemination of their specialized knowledge to different constituencies, especially language teachers.

Military instruction has always been a part of life at South Dakota State University. The Morrill Act of 1862, which established the land grant colleges, required the colleges to provide instruction in "military tactics." At South Dakota State University, formal military classes began in September 1884 under the leadership of Professor Robert F. Kerr. Lectures, recitations and regular drills formed this instruction. Until 1918, the college fulfilled the military requirements with mandatory drill work and coursework led by civilian instructors. With the passage of the National Defense Act in 1916, the Reserve Officers Training Corps, known at ROTC, came into being and replaced the less formal military training at all land grant colleges, including South Dakota State University. The headquarters of the ROTC were at the local land grant colleges, and the training curriculum was set by the War Department. The colleges were given personnel and equipment to carry out the curriculum.

General Omar Bradley was a former Professor of Military Science here at SDSU. Although he is more well known as being the commander of the largest field force in military history during World War II, and the first ever Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, it was he who dubbed SDSU Army ROTC "The West Point of the Plains." This title is still used frequently and proudly by all of its members past and present.

ROTC required all underclassmen to participate in basic military training for their first two years. Selected upperclassmen were allowed to participate in advanced work on a voluntary basis. At first, training was provided in a number of different service branches. By 1942, when the DePuy Military Hall was constructed, training at the university was limited to Army and Air Force ROTC. At South Dakota State University, the Army and Air Force ROTC continued to provide compulsory training for all freshmen and sophomore men until 1969, when the Board of Regents made ROTC voluntary. Although the numbers decreased, students continued to participate in the program, and do so still.

The Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) provides leadership, management, ethics, and personal confidence training to prepare cadets for responsibilities as commissioned officers in the Army National Guard, the Army Reserve, and active duty. Classroom instruction, hands-on training, and field training encompass the values and skill sets necessary for success. Opportunities abound for specialized training.

Mechanical engineering has always been taught at South Dakota State University. In the earliest years, students could opt to take a prescribed set of classes leading to the BS degree in Mechanical Arts (later Mechanical Engineering). For the first two years, mechanical engineering students took classes with civil engineering students. Specialization occurred in the junior and senior years. In 1897, a Department of Mechanical Engineering was established to administer mechanical engineering work. Most civil engineering classes moved to the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering at this time, although some remained with mechanical engineering. In 1902, when the Civil and Electrical Engineering departments were established, the Department of Mechanical Engineering became a fully independent department, much as it is today. Mechanical engineering graduates have a range of career directions from which to choose. Work is in research, development, design, testing, manufacturing, operation and maintenance, marketing and sales, or in management and administration.

Mathematics has existed at South Dakota State University since the founding of the institution. The general work of the department in the early 1900's was planned to cultivate habits of systematic and accurate thinking, as well as facility in making calculations. Independent effort was encouraged to the greatest extent, the solution of problems and original demonstrations formed an important part of each course. The curriculum of the Department of Mathematics is now designed to provide a strong liberal arts program with opportunity for concentrated study in mathematics, and to meet the needs of the technically oriented student. Supporting courses were offered for the various colleges, which make up the University. Through the years, mathematics has had an administrative home in either the College of Engineering or the College of Arts and Science, or their precursors. Today, financial and administrative matters are under the College of Engineering. Degrees, however, are granted through the College of Arts and Science. Effort was made to change this dual administration, yet it did not pass the South Dakota Board of Regents.

The first course in journalism at South Dakota State College was taught in 1908, 27 years after the founding of the college and at a time when journalism courses began to appear in a number of Midwestern state universities. A school of printing began in 1919, and in 1924 Journalism Professor Charles D. Byrne, who was later the Chancellor of Higher Education for Oregon, moved to combine the work in journalism and the school of printing. The Department of Printing and Rural Journalism began that year.

During the 1930s and 1940s, a two-year course in printing was combined with three more years in journalism to produce graduates with a bachelor of science in Printing and Rural Journalism — PRJs, they were called.

The department was accredited for the first time in 1948, which was the first year of national journalism accreditation. According to Dean Earl English of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri, South Dakota State College was the first department to be visited by an accrediting team and recommended for accreditation. In 1951, two years after George Phillips became department head, the present building was dedicated.

In 1956, the PRJ program was shortened to four years and a bachelor of science in printing management began. The same year the department began offering a bachelor of science in journalism and a master of science in journalism.

The department began a master of science in printing management in 1958. For a time, it was the only school in the country offering a graduate degree in printing management. Consequently, a number of printing educators hold degrees from South Dakota State. The printing master’s program closed in 1972.

In 1973, Professor Phillips retired and was replaced by Professor Vernon Keel, who is currently director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University. The graduate program was suspended between 1973 and 1975 in order to direct efforts toward the undergraduate program. Professor Keel resigned in 1976 to become department head at his Alma mater, University of North Dakota. Professor Ruth Laird directed the department until 1978, Professor Richard Lee was head from 1978- 2002 when Professor Mary Arnold, the current head, was hired.

Human Development, Consumer and Family Sciences offers four undergraduate programs and is housed in the department including: Consumer Affairs, Early Childhood Education, Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Human Development and Family Studies.

In 1887, the Department of Horticulture and Forestry was first established as a unit in the college and the newly organized experiment station. The department was one of the original departments of the college. Early research was involved with windbreak trees, orchard fruits, small fruits, vegetables and ornamental trees and shrubs and was put to practical use throughout South Dakota. Research in horticulture, forestry, and landscape design and parks management has continued to be an integral part of the department throughout the years. In the mid-1980's, the department name was changed to Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks. The Department of Horticulture, Forestry, Landscape and Parks offers instruction leading to the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with majors in horticulture, landscape design, and park management. The department was merged with the Department of Plant Science in the summer of 2011.

The teaching of history at South Dakota State University developed alongside the college. From the beginning, students in all divisions of the college were required to take basic history courses. As time went on and the numbers of students and teachers multiplied, the Department of History was able to carve out its own niche. At times, other disciplines were taught through the department and the name was occasionally changed to reflect these areas. In 1905, the department was known as the Department of History and Political Science, this lasted until 1967. After a year as the Department of History, in 1968 the name changed to the Department of History and Geography to reflect the number of geography courses taught. In 1973, a separate geography department was established and the history department was reorganized into a resemblance of today's department.

The courses offered by the Department of History are intended to prepare majors for careers in teaching, government, and service-oriented occupations, and to provide a necessary background for graduate work or other specialized training. / History is now merged into the Department of History, Political, Sciences, Philosophy, and Religion.

Physical education has always been included in the curriculum of South Dakota State University. The objective of a strong mind, body and spirit is consistent with the philosophy of "educating the total person." Since the earliest years, students have been required to take either physical education or military science in order to graduate. Physical education courses took many different forms over the years, usually consistent with contemporary thinking. Courses were taught by departments, which went by various names, including the Department of Music and Physical Culture, the Department of Elocution and Physical Culture, and Physical Education, and Recreation.

In the 1940's, a major in physical education was established, with different requirements for males and females. In 1953, a graduate degree was offered through the department. The Physical Education Department changed its name to the Department of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation [HPER] in 1969-70. This change was quickly followed by an added degree in public recreation. Other minor and major programs were also offered through the department.

The Health, Physical Education, and Recreation Department is now administratively located under the College of Education & Human Sciences and is called the Department of Health and Nutritional Sciences. It provides undergraduate programs in Athletic Training, Nutrition & Dietetics, Exercise Science, Health Education, Physical Education, and Sport, Recreation and Park Management, as well as a number of supporting minors.

Geography was one of the first courses taught when South Dakota State University was founded in 1881. While geography classes were offered from time to time in various departments, no major development of a program occurred until 1966-67, when a bachelor's degree in geography was approved. In the fall of 1968, the Department of History and Geography was formed. By 1971, the geography program had grown substantially. Enrollment growths necessitated the addition of more faculty members. By 1973, a separate Department of Geography was established and in 1974, the offering of the Master of Science degree in Geography was approved.

The geography curriculum today teaches students to describe, relate and explain natural and cultural phenomena, which distinguish places around the world. Courses are offered in technical geography-science and environmental planning and management.

From the opening of the College, English has been an established course of study. In the early years, there were three courses in English listed: Course I, agriculture; Course II, the general college course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science; and Course III, civil engineering. In each of these courses, the emphasis was on grammar, composition, speech, rhetoric, theory and practice, literature and history of English drama. Through the years, similar courses have been taught, and continue to be taught today.

According to the 1998-2000 bulletin, courses in the English Department are divided into two areas: English and linguistics. The department offers instruction in clear thinking and expression, in the history and use of language, in literature, in literary criticism; and in technical communications. An English major prepares students for teaching careers; for writing and editorial work; for professional schools of law, business, theology, library science, and social work; and for any endeavor in which facility in the use of language is essential.

Course work in electrical engineering was first taught at South Dakota State College in 1899. Physics and mechanical engineering, both of which served as foundation for the work in electrical engineering, were well established. An organization to provide for the instructional work in electrical engineering was arranged by enlarging the Department of Physics. This general arrangement continued without much change until 1909. In 1909, the Department of Electrical Engineering was organized as a separate department, and continues still.

The mission of the Department of Electrical Engineering is to provide a highly respected, rigorous and practical education in electrical engineering so that graduates may assume engineering position of responsibility and leadership. Another goal is to conduct meaningful research and scholarly activities with regional emphasis and to provide technical assistance in the field of electrical engineering to existing and emerging industries and businesses in South Dakota and to regional and global communities.

Work in general economics dates back to the beginning of instructional work at South Dakota State College, when it was taught under the name of political economy. Later, it was taught with history and philosophy, but finally achieved full independence when, in 1921, the Department of Farm Economics was created as a separate department. Development in this department consisted mainly of teaching, research and extension. Over the years, the Economics Department has established itself as a pioneer in the scientific study of the economic problems of South Dakota.

According to the 1996-1998 Undergraduate Bulletin, the Economics Department trains students to apply economic concepts and techniques for decision-making in fields such as agricultural business, agricultural economics, economics and business. The objectives of the curricula taught in the department are to present the general economic principles necessary to understand the complexities of the economic business world and provide a foundation for graduate work in economics, agricultural economics, business administration, management, finance, law and other related areas of study. / The Economics Department offers majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in either agricultural business or agricultural economics from the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. The department also offers a major in economics leading to a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Arts and Science. Within the economics major, a student can choose an option in business economics. Minors are also available through the department in accounting, agricultural business, agricultural marketing and economics. The programs provide students with a background to pursue careers in farm and ranch management, agricultural finance, agribusiness, banking, business finance, business management, sales and marketing, government service and related fields.

Instruction and research in dairying were activities at South Dakota State University long before a Department of Dairying was established. By 1897, when the department was formed, coursework was well established. In 1892, a dairy building was built, and much of the coursework was completed in the special labs and rooms. In addition to regular college courses, the department also offered a short course in creamery. These courses met for anywhere from two to twelve weeks, and were highly successful and very well attended for the 52 years of their existence.

Although minor name changes occurred through the years, the general philosophy of the department has remained essentially the same. Courses are taught which prepare students for careers in dairy manufacturing or dairy production. In addition to the BS degree, an MS in Dairy Science has been offered since 1903, and a Ph. D. in agriculture is also offered through the department in the areas of dairy science or dairy cattle nutrition and management. Much of the research is conducted through the Agricultural Experiment Station, as it had been since its inception. Dairying has also been a large component in the Cooperative Extension Service through the years.

The Department of Dairy Science has been very visible both on campus and throughout Brookings through the dairy processing plant and sales room. Students gain practical experience in processing and offer milk, cheese, butter and ice cream for sale through the sales room. These products are also used in campus eating facilities.

Speech courses have always been a part of the South Dakota State University curriculum. In the earliest years, the preparatory department offered courses in public speaking to high school students, and the English Department offered courses in public speaking and rhetoric, including elocution and oral reading. Through the years, various other departments took responsibility for the public speaking courses, including the Elocution and Physical Culture Department, the Public Speaking Department, and the English Department. A Speech Department first appeared in the 1924 catalog, offering courses in debate, speaking, and play production. Required courses in rhetoric were taught by the English Department until 1938 when they were placed into the speech department.

By the 1950's, the Speech Department was well established on campus. The Board of Regents approved the speech major in 1958, and a master's degree was also available. Courses were taught in forensics, drama and radio. Film and television instruction began soon after. In the 1970's the communication disorders program, which prepared students to teach or provide therapy in speech, hearing and speech language was established as part of the department.

In addition to formal course work in speech, extracurricular activities involving the department have flourished on campus. In the early years, speech and literary societies sponsored most plays and debates, which were a major source of entertainment on campus. After such societies disappeared, students continued to participate in debate and theatre, taking part in competitions and many theatrical productions. Students also worked for the State College broadcasting system and work for the campus radio station KAGY.

Since the early 1990's, the department has been known as the Communication Studies and Theatre Department. Programs in speech communication, speech education and theatre are offered, as is the radio, television and film program, which focus on production. Many opportunities for extracurricular activities are also offered through the department.

Civil engineering courses were among the first taught in the early days of South Dakota State University. Students could complete a prescribed set of courses and receive a BS degree in Civil Engineering. Until 1902, courses in civil engineering were taught in the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering or through the Department of Mechanical Engineering. In 1902, a separate department, called the Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering was established. In 1925, a separate Department of Agricultural Engineering was established in the Division of Agriculture. Since that time a Department of Civil Engineering has existed.

Study in civil engineering includes the location, design, construction, operation and maintenance of highways, airports, buildings, bridges, dams, water supply and distribution systems, wastewater collection systems and treatment plants, irrigation and drainage systems, river and harbor improvements and many other facilities essential in modern life. The civil engineering program at South Dakota State University is accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.

The overall goal of this program is to develop competent professionals capable of applying the current principles of science and engineering to the solution of problems related to civil engineering. A second goal of the program is to assist students in developing a commitment of high standards of professional conduct.

In the 1884-85 catalog, chemistry was listed as a course of study in agriculture as part of the Department of Natural Sciences. There were three chemistry courses: elementary chemistry, analytical chemistry and agricultural chemistry. By 1892, all students were required to take three terms of elementary chemistry with analytical chemistry and agricultural chemistry as electives.

In the 1897-98 catalog, chemistry was first listed as an independent department. By this time the course offerings had greatly expanded and included many additions to the curriculum. Expansion of the chemistry department continued over the years with courses being added nearly every three to five years. By 1944, the professional curriculum was approved by the American Chemical Society.

After World War II, enrollment increased, prompting an increase in staff. By 1958, the department was authorized to offer a Ph. D. in biochemistry and in 1965 was authorized to offer Ph. D.'s in most branches of chemistry. The Biochemistry Experiment Station was established in 1887 and was separate from the Chemistry Department until July 1, 1974 when the chemistry department and the Station Biochemistry Department merged.

In the 1998-2000 catalog, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is listed as approved by the American Chemical Society for training professional chemists. Since chemistry is so closely related to other fields of study, a number of courses are offered to provide sufficient chemical background to meet professional needs. A minor in chemistry is provided for students who want more extensive chemistry without majoring in chemistry. Student may receive a BS in chemistry, or may pursue graduate work toward an MS or Ph. D.

Instruction in the biological sciences began at South Dakota State University in 1885. The first student to graduate in that area did so in 1888. In 1897, when departments were first established on campus, biology was not included. Courses were taught in a number of related fields however through a number of departments including zoology, botany and entomology, to name a few. An independent Department of Biology was not established until 1980, although the Department of Botany and Biology had existed since 1966.

Today, the Biology and Microbiology Department offers curricula leading to the Bachelor's degree with a major in biology. The undergraduate biology major has two different programs from which to choose: the curriculum in Biological Sciences, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, or the curriculum in Arts and Science. The two programs are identical except for the individual college's requirements. Students majoring in biology will select among four areas of emphasis depending upon their particular interest and needs: 1) The Biology emphasis prepares a students to work in a large variety of areas of the biological sciences; 2) The Botany emphasis concentrates on the scientific study of plants providing for professions in plant research and industry; 3) the Zoology emphasis highlights the scientific study of animal life and provides the basis for many related disciplines such as medicine and health sciences, veterinary science, and oceanography; and 4) the Pre-professional emphasis is designed for students planning on admission into professional, health science programs.

The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design offers instruction leading to a Bachelor of Science degree with majors in Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design. Apparel Merchandising courses provide knowledge applicable to careers in the fashion industry including production, wholesaling and retailing, and for consumer acquisition and use of apparel and household textiles. The cultural and scientific aspects of apparel and textiles are examined with emphasis on aesthetic, economic, historical, sociological and psychological factors.

The Interior Design curriculum prepares students to enter the profession of residential and commercial design through course work in technical, material, historical, cultural and aesthetic aspects of design with studios, emphasizing the design problem-solving process. The Department of Apparel Merchandising and Interior Design is affiliated with the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City. Students may enroll in a "visiting scholar" program at FIT with emphasis on fashion design, fashion buying and merchandising, or several others.

Courses related to animal science have always been taught at South Dakota State University. In the earliest years, livestock of all sorts was the focus. Separate departments were often established for specific types of animals, such as poultry. General courses were taught through other departments as well. Over the years, specialization decreased, and eventually the departments were combined. The focus of the department was expanded to include management of rangeland.

The Department of Animal Science offers instruction leading to the BS degree with majors in animal science or range science. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for careers in livestock production, related agriculture business enterprises, farming and ranching, natural resource management on both private and public lands, or graduate study.

Courses related to agricultural engineering and the application of engineering principles to farming have always been taught at South Dakota State University. The first formal department to teach such courses was called the Department of Architectural and Agricultural Engineering. This department effectively combined civil and agricultural engineering course work, and the name was subsequently changed to the Department of Civil and Agricultural Engineering in 1902. In 1925, a separate Department of Agricultural Engineering was established in the Division of Agriculture, but students were required to take some basic courses through the Division (now College) of Engineering. Today the department is administered through both the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and the College of Engineering. In 1999, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved the addition of "Biosystems Engineering" to the department name Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering.

Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering is the science of engineering applied to the facilities and processes of agriculture and related industries. The curriculum includes foundation courses in mathematics, physics and chemistry with engineering emphasis in a wide variety of technical areas. These technical areas include natural resource management, irrigation and drainage, water resources development, machine dynamics and design, machine vision, agricultural power, electrical power utilization, properties and processing of biological materials, environmental control for livestock, control and disposal of agricultural wastes, agricultural structures, computers, and instrumentation. Courses are also offered in the fields of meteorology, climatology, and micro-climatology to interested engineers and students in other colleges.

Agricultural Systems Technology is another aspect of the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. It is designed to give broad training in the agricultural sciences and the technologies appropriate to agriculture and its associated industries.

The main duty of the Curricula Evaluation Committee was for accreditation evaluation of the doctoral program at South Dakota State University during the mid to late 1960's.

In 1914, the United States Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act. This act proposed to set up a system of general demonstrations throughout the country, and the agent in the field of the department and the college provided agricultural information to the rural population.

The basic elements of extension had their inception during the late 1880's when farmers in the area began calling on agricultural experts at the college to talk to them and show them the best methods for raising crops. Farmers' Institutes, the first regular meetings that were held in 1888, were the medium through which such information was communicated. These institutes had grown out of local farmers' organizational gatherings in the Territory since about 1880. The institutes were held both at the college and throughout the state, the attendance of South Dakota Agricultural College [SDAC] faculty members at these assemblages being authorized by the Regents and Trustees.

In 1889 and in 1891 the Legislature enacted laws providing for state assistance to Farmers' Institutes. The Board of Trustees for the Agricultural College was authorized to conduct the institutes at different places in the state. In 1894, the state government began making appropriations for these meetings although the money available was too small to have much effect. Many local communities decided to take over this financial responsibility. After the Smith-Lever Act was enacted, the Farmers' Institutes were discontinued.

In 1912, a county agent was appointed to serve Brown County. The agent was named under a cooperative agreement among the Better Farming Association, the United States Department of Agriculture, and South Dakota State College. In 1913, additional counties took up county agent work and in 1914, Dean G. L. Brown signed, on behalf of the college, a memorandum of agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture [USDA]. Through the Smith-Lever Act, this provided for contributions to extension funds by the federal government, the state of South Dakota, and local communities. State College contracted to maintain a Division of Extension, and the USDA agreed to provide a States' Relation Service to administer the funds and cooperate with extension work. Either the college or the Department of Agriculture could nullify this arrangement.

At first, considerable personal service was given farmers and homemakers. Later the trend was toward working with organizational groups. There was once a close tie between Extension and the Farm Bureau Federation. The Farm Bureau had been started with the specific purpose of cooperating with extension work. The state College Extension Service took an active role in organizing Farm Bureaus in the state. During the 1920's, other agricultural organizations began to challenge this intimate relationship. Their argument was that the county agent was a public servant and that it should not be part of his job to promote organizations, which frequently espoused public policies of a controversial character. However, it was not until 1935 that the Farm Bureau ceased to be the official cooperating organization with extension.

Club and home demonstration work have been two major areas of the Extension Service. Boys' and girls' club work began in 1913 and was subsequently assisted by Smith-Lever funds. This legislation further provided for home demonstration work. Before that time, homemakers' clubs had been held in connection with Farmers' Institutes. Several women had been employed in the Extension Service as demonstrators prior to the appointment of the first regular home demonstration agent. Among the early topics at home demonstration meetings were poultry raising, use of the fireless cooker, clothing, and food values. Changing technology and economic conditions have caused subjects to vary.

ontributions of specialists have supplemented those of county agents. From the first, the college undertook to supply specialized as well as general agricultural information to those writing for it, but farmers felt the need for personal interviews and demonstration in highly technical problems as well as the more generalized subjects that were the province of county agents. Shortly after the Smith-Lever Act went into effect, a dairy specialist became the extension department's first specialist. Extension has had specialists in wide areas, including breeding, farm records, and farm building construction. / The overall mission of the Cooperative Extension Service is to disseminate and encourage the application of research-generated knowledge and leadership techniques to individuals, families and communities in order to improve agriculture and strengthen the South Dakota family and community. The Cooperative Extension Service is the off-campus informal educational function of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences and the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

The service extends the South Dakota State University campus to every community and the advantages of higher education to all people. The extension staff is dedicated to the task of assisting individuals and groups to meet the challenges of change in farming, ranching, marketing, the home, state and nation. They use the press, radio, television, satellite, interactive audio-visual, educational publications, group methods, and individual contacts to inform and teach. Through its extension agents and specialists, the Cooperative Extension Service disseminates the findings of research and encourages the application of knowledge to solution of problems encountered in everyday living across the entire state.

On Sept. 10, 1927, President Calvin Coolidge dedicated this outdoor theatre and the Lincoln Memorial Library.

The Jerome J Lohr College of Engineering has requested to reorganize and rename the Department of Construction and Operations Management to the Department of Construction and Concrete Industry Management. This name and organization change reflects a program move of Operations Management to the Ness School of Management and Economics (in alignment with SDSU’s AACSB accreditation effort) and clear labeling of the academic home of the growing Concrete Industry Management program at SDSU. This change is effective July 1, 2024.

In 1887, the first course work in pharmacy was offered at South Dakota State College [SDSC]. It comprised of physics, algebra, bookkeeping, chemistry, material medica, botany, physiology, hygiene and pharmacy. The course was designed to prepare young men and women as druggists. The first degrees were graduated in 1893. By 1898, a four-year course in pharmacy was offered as an option and by 1930, this option became a required standard.

Between 1931 and 1970, the college saw established the Tau Chapter of Rho Chi, a continuing education program for practicing pharmacists, a five-year curriculum in pharmacy, and an externship program.

According to the 1996-98 undergraduate bulletin, the College of Pharmacy offers a six-year course of study leading to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The curriculum is divided into a 2-year pre-pharmacy and a 4-year Professional Program phase. The pre-pharmacy courses provide a solid knowledge base and ability to use critical thought processes in the biological and physical sciences. The four years of the Professional Program incorporate a solid foundation of pharmaceutical science courses as well as a comprehensive sequence of therapeutics and professional practice courses.

The goal of the College is to prepare competent graduates with effective primary care skills which center on the pharmacist's role in ensuring the rational use of medications and related devices to provide optimal therapeutic outcomes for their patients. Another goal is to inspire students to be life-long learners who express a caring professional attitude and seek to be agents of change within the profession.

In 1935, at the request of the South Dakota Nurses’ Association, a department of nursing was established under the Division of Pharmacy with Leila Given as director, who served until 1939. The first degree was granted to Rachel Hasle in 1936. During the following years, under the leadership of Martha Krause (1939-1943), and later R. Esther Erickson (1943-1954), the program broadened but continued to be a five-year program with Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls furnishing the clinical experiences.

The year 1952 witnessed the inauguration of the four-year program with three faculty. Sioux Valley Hospital remained the clinical experience center, but now the experience was jointly controlled by South Dakota State College and Augustana College. Public Health and Rural Nursing were added to the curriculum in 1954. In 1955, Helen Gilkey was appointed director, the Sioux Valley Hospital contracts were terminated and new areas were developed at Watertown, Madison, and Rapid City in South Dakota and at the Charles T. Miller Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1956, the Department of Nursing became the Division of Nursing with Helen Gilkey as the first dean. In 1957, the Division of Nursing moved from the Administration Building to remodeled quarters in the Old Engineering Building (Solberg Hall).

National accreditation was granted the Division of Nursing in May 1960. This accreditation has been continuously maintained according to high standards of quality education established by the National League for Nursing.

In 1964, South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University and nursing became a College of Nursing. Following that, the Board of Regents established the three departments in the college of Nursing: Nursing, Health Science and Continuing Education. The Department of Nursing and the Department of Health Science were established in 1965. In August 1969, the College of Nursing moved to the new Home Economics-Nursing Building. This move represented great strides in nursing, providing needed classroom and laboratory space in addition to innovative audiovisual facilities. The Department of Health Science offered a major as well as a minor to students interested in the health sciences. The public health science curriculum was designed for students who wanted training in administration, food, sanitation and environmental health. The Department of Continuing Education made available workshops and seminars for nurses, nursing home administrators and other medical support personnel.

The year 1977, after study and analysis of clinical opportunities in South Dakota, all clinical aspects of the program were returned to South Dakota. In the fall of 1977, the South Dakota Board of Regents approved a plan for a Master of Science program to be developed at South Dakota State University. The Regents also approved a plan for the College of Nursing to offer its major at an extended off-campus site – West River Area – so that RN’s in that area of the state could earns their BS degrees in nursing.

During the 1978-79 year, funding was made available for the West River RN Upward Mobility Program. Additional funding was provided by the Legislature for the 1979-80 year. In 1979, the College of Nursing received a grant from the Advanced Nurse Training Program, Division of Nursing, DHEW, for the purpose of developing and implementing the master’s program. This funding was augmented by an appropriation by the Legislature for the 1979-80 fiscal year.

According to the 1996-1998 General Catalog, the College of Nursing now consists of four departments: Undergraduate Nursing, Graduate Nursing, Research and Special Services and West River Nursing. Students can earn a BS or MS degree with a major in Nursing. A Health Science Minor is also available for students who wish to gain knowledge in the areas of health, health care programs, health education, epidemiology, and occupational health. Both the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs at South Dakota State University are approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and are accredited by the National League for Nursing. The College is a member agency in the National League for Nursing Council of Baccalaureate and Higher Degree Programs, American Association of Colleges of Nursing and the Midwest Alliance in Nursing.

South Dakota State University’s College of Nursing has the broad goal of improving health care and the overall quality of life in the state, the region and the nation. It strives to reach this goal through the education of health care, professionals, through provision of expertise and consultative services to the health care system of the state and through research to impact the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities.

The College of Natural Sciences was launched July 1, 2018. As part of a realignment, the College of Natural Sciences combined the strengths of the STEM majors with the growing leaders of research within four departments: Department of Biology and Microbiology, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Geography and Geospatial Sciences, and Department of Physics. Each department brought closer together to enhance the student experience, engaging the problem-solvers and innovators in various disciplines, to be able to meet the challenges of the world around us.

South Dakota State College was one of the first five land-grant institutions to have a formal department of Home Economics. Called Domestic Economy at its start in 1885, the four-year curriculum offered scientific training and a liberal and practical education for young women. In addition, the program purported to prepare young women for the important position of caring for the home.

By the late 1920's, many changes had occurred in the department. The name had changed to Home Economics in 1915, shortly after passage of the Smith-Lever Act. This act, along with the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, called for land-grant universities to expand their services to the people of the states. Through programs in extension and education, which developed as a result of these two acts, Home Economics evolved into a much larger program. Enrollment grew as traditional classes in food, nutrition, clothing, and design were augmented by practical work in home management and the nursery school. By the close of the 1920s, many graduates had been placed as teachers in the public-school system, which helped expand the department's influence in the state.

Little change occurred in the division until a new department, Child Development opened in 1945. The following year an additional department, Technical Journalism, was added to the Home Economics Division. Graduate courses were offered beginning in 1952, and in 1962, when South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University, the Home Economics Division became the College of Home Economics.

Over the next two decades, the college continued to evolve. In 1975, a core curriculum was developed for home economics, and in 1981, a specialized program was established to meet the needs of students in their careers in home economics education, extension, family, welfare and interior design. In 1994, the College of Home Economics became the College of Family and Consumer Sciences due to a nation-wide change brought on by a survey conducted by the American Home Economics Association.

The College of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares people for a variety of professional roles, which are interdisciplinary in nature. Some majors within the College are directly related to the family and its traditional functions, such as human development and family studies. With these majors, graduates are primarily prepared for careers in social service, community or government agencies, or business. Other majors are derived from functions that were traditionally performed by the family but now are often carried out by business and industry. Hotel, restaurant and institution management, apparel merchandising and interior design are examples of these majors.

General programs in the College prepare graduates for employment in formal and non-formal education, and community service. All programs in the College focus on the interactions of family and their environment.

South Dakota State University has always served as a training ground for educators, although in the earliest years this was not a primary function of the university. Many of the earliest graduates went on to become teachers, and many students taught rural school during college breaks. The first formal department for the preparation of teachers was organized as the Department of Latin and Pedagogy in 1904. In 1906, this department was reorganized as the Department of Philosophy, and courses such as history of education and methods of teaching joined philosophy and psychology offerings. In 1913, a Department of Education was created, and professional courses were added to the curriculum. In 1924, when the various departments were organized into divisions, the Department of Education was grouped with the General Science Division, which later became the College of Arts and Science. The College of Arts and Science administered education until 1975, when it became an autonomous unit called the Division of Education. In 1989, the division was organized into the College of Education and Counseling to serve as the coordinating unit for all professional education programs at South Dakota State University.

The College of Education and Counseling merged with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to form the College of Education and Human Sciences. This college is home to 15 majors and 22 minors offering programs in consumer sciences, counseling and human development, health and nutritional sciences, and teaching, learning and leadership.

South Dakota State University has always served as a training ground for educators, although in the earliest years this was not a primary function of the university. Many of the earliest graduates went on to become teachers, and many students taught rural school during college breaks. The first formal department for the preparation of teachers was organized as the Department of Latin and Pedagogy in 1904. In 1906, this department was reorganized as the Department of Philosophy, and courses such as history of education and methods of teaching joined philosophy and psychology offerings. In 1913, a Department of Education was created, and professional courses were added to the curriculum. In 1924, when the various departments were organized into divisions, the Department of Education was grouped with the General Science Division, which later became the College of Arts and Science. The College of Arts and Science administered education until 1975, when it became an autonomous unit called the Division of Education. In 1989, the division was organized into the College of Education and Counseling to serve as the coordinating unit for all professional education programs at South Dakota State University.

The College of Education and Counseling merged with the College of Family and Consumer Sciences to form the College of Education and Human Sciences. This college is home to 15 majors and 22 minors offering programs in consumer sciences, counseling and human development, health and nutritional sciences, and teaching, learning and leadership.

The College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences serves the public good by weaving the cultural, artistic and intellectual fabric of the university experience so that it transforms passion and creativity into a lifetime of discovery and opportunity.

The College of Arts and Sciences was initially known as the General Sciences Course. Beginning in 1884, a student could obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in science and the arts by taking courses (not majors) in English & rhetoric, Latin, French, German, history, philosophy, physical science, mineralogy and geology, biological science, metallurgy, mathematics, and music. There were no departmental administrators or dean until 1924, when the General Science Division was formed. By 1953, the Division added applied arts to the title. After the college became a university, the Division of Science and Applied Arts changed its name to the College of Arts and Science.

The College of Arts and Sciences serves two significant functions within the university. It provides instruction in the university core requirement for a liberal education as well as education in specific disciplines.

The fifteen departments in the College of Arts and Sciences offer major and/or minor programs leading to one of three undergraduate degrees. In addition, five departments in other colleges offer majors and/or minors in programs administered through the College of Arts and Sciences.

One of eight colleges that make up SDSU, the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences has an integral role in fulfilling the land grant mission of the university. In addition to six academic departments, the college is home to both SDSU Extension and the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. The SDSU West River Research & Extension is a satellite of the college, and serves as center for teaching, research, extension, and outreach activities in the western part of the state. The college is the largest at SDSU in terms of student enrollment, faculty and staff, and building space.

The Morrill Act of 1862, the act that allowed for the 1881 establishment of South Dakota State University, required instruction in agriculture. Courses in all areas of agriculture were taught, and many courses in other disciplines had an agricultural focus. In 1897, when the first official departments were established at South Dakota State University, four specifically agricultural departments were formed: Agriculture, Architecture and Agricultural Engineering, Dairy Science, and Geology and Agronomy. Other related departments, specifically Horticulture/Forestry and Botany/Zoology, were also established at this time. In 1908, the School of Agriculture joined these departments as a secondary school program devoted to "preparing rural students for life on the farm."

By 1924, the Division of Agriculture established many of the departments that are found in the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences today. The division included not only the various academic departments, but also the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, which had been founded by the Smith-Lever Act in 1914. The School of Agriculture was included until it was dissolved in 1960. In 1964, the Division of Agriculture became the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences when South Dakota State College became South Dakota State University.

The academic program in the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences is twofold: one deals with the traditional field of agriculture and the other deals with the biological sciences. / Agricultural work is divided into four areas: academic programs, research, extension, and statewide services. Experiments and investigations for the benefits of agriculture are done in connection with problems of livestock, natural resources, field crops, veterinary science, horticultural crops, agricultural economics, dairy, landscape design, and mechanized agriculture. The results of research form the basis for classroom instruction, extension work, and for a means of answering inquiries coming into the university. The Extension Service takes the work of instruction statewide by bringing results of research to every home.

Work in biological sciences is mainly in the departments of biology/microbiology and wildlife/fisheries sciences. Biological science is an integral part of all departments that deal with plant and animal sciences.

The Centennial Steering Committee was formed on July 16, 1979, to guide the university through the celebration of its Centennial year (1981). H.M. Briggs, President Emeritus, was appointed Chairman of the Committee, while David Pearson, former Vice President of South Dakota State University was appointed Vice-Chairman. The committee, made up of representatives from various units on campus and from outside the university, first met on July 21, 1980. At this meeting, Briggs outlined the charges of the committee and explained that each member of the Steering Committee would also take the role of sub-committee chairperson for the respective area of the university. Once some tentative activities were brainstormed, the Steering Committee members were further broken into sub-committees to deal with specific projects. With this basic structure, the Steering Committee began its work. They received an initial stipend from the University to perform their functions, which was added to throughout the committee's existence. While the subcommittees performed much of the work of the Steering Committee, the Centennial Office, consisting of Briggs and an office assistant, Yvonne Ehlebracht, managed much of the day-to-day work. The office was responsible for the overall running of the committee, maintaining the budget, keeping the files, and arranging and paying for meetings and trips. In addition, much of the correspondence associated with the event was filtered through this office.

The Career Center, formerly the Career and Academic Planning [CAP] Center, provides services that assists students with planning for careers. Through this office, a student can visit with a career counselor; take an interest skill inventory or participate in career development workshops. The Career Center's Career Resource Library provides information on more than 21,000 careers, major employers in the United States, various academic majors at South Dakota State University, and the employment status of SDSU graduates.

The Career Center offers experiential education programs. These programs provide the student an opportunity to integrate classroom study with periods of planned and supervised professional work experience with cooperating businesses, industry, and governmental agencies.

The Career Center also offers help to students searching for part-time, summer, intern, or full-time employment. The staff at the Center offers workshops and individual assistance to help students prepare resumes, develop interview skills, improve job-hunting strategies, and contact employers.

The staff at the Career Center instructs a two credit course designed to help students become more effective learners. This course is called "Mastering Lifetime Learning Skills" and is offered each semester. In addition, students searching for tutoring assistance, or who have concerns about test anxiety may find help at the Career Center.