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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.

Since 1887, the Animal Disease Research & Diagnostic Laboratory has maintained a tradition of providing quality veterinary diagnostic services to the state and region. As one of only 42 North American laboratories that are fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, the laboratory serves animal owners by acting as a reference laboratory for animal health professionals and state/federal regulatory officials. This rigorous accreditation standard is compliant with international expectations as laid out by the OIE, thus ensuring trade markets are available to their clients.

As a reference laboratory, they provide the precise detailed animal disease information that is needed for those in charge of managing, treating and preventing diseases of animals. Many of the diseases the laboratory deal with are also potential human diseases, and thus the lab also plays a significant service role for public health surveillance. The laboratory serves all companion and food animal owners by working with their local veterinarian.

The laboratory continues as a member of the USDA National Animal Health Network (NAHLN), a member of the USDA/FDA Food Emergency Response Network (FERN), and a member of the DHHS/FDA Veterinary Laboratory Reference Network (Vet-LRN).

The American Indian Education and Cultural Center first opened in 2010. It was located on the southwest side of campus near the Academic Evaluation and Assessment building and the Jerome J. Lohr Building.
The American Indian Education and Cultural Center had three main purposes. First, the center worked to recruit Native American students to campus. Second, the center workers to retain Native Americans students by providing support. Third, help Native American students’ graduate college. In 2016, the name of the center was changed to the American Indian Student Center under Director April Eastman. During this time, the location of the American Indian Student Center moved to the lower level of enrollment services. This was due to the Alumni Center being built where the old American Indian Education and Cultural Center was housed. In 2017, the American Indian Student Center received $4.5 million dollars from donors to create a new center for Native American students. In 2020, The American Indian Student Center moved to its new location just south of Rotunda. The American Indian Student Center continues to support the three main purposes of the American Indian Education and Cultural Center, but also has expanded on the retainment of Native American Students. The American Indian Student Center continues to support Native American students' retention by provide tutoring, computers, financial assistance, drum rooms, art rooms, and study spaces.
The American Indian Student Center also assists Indigenous clubs by providing space for meetings, planning events, and answering club related questions. The American Indian Student Center helped coordinated events like the South Dakota State University Wacipi (Powwow) with the Native American Club. The Wacipi has allowed Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to participate in traditional dances and cultural experiences.

The Native American Club was first organized in 1992 under Jack Marken, the Head of the English Department. The Native American Club has four main objectives. First, the Native American club hosts prospective Native American Students. Second, the club provides academic support to Native American students in the form of tutoring. Third, the club provides a space for Native American students to take part in their culture. Fourth, the club provides cultural awareness programs and activities to the South Dakota State University and Brookings communities.

The Native American Club has held many activities and events including hand games tournaments, Indian taco sales, basketball tournaments, and Indigenous conferences, however, the Native American Club is best known for their establishment of the South Dakota State University Wacipi. The Native American Club held their first contest Wacipi in 1977. They did not hold another contest Wacipi until 1990, which then became an annual Native American Club event.

In 2015 the name of the Native American Club changed to the American Indian Student Association. The main objectives of the association downsized after the name change. The American Indian Student Association no longer hosted Native American Students or provided tutoring, but the association continues to provide a welcoming space for Native American students and provides cultural awareness programs.

The American Indian and Indigenous Studies program is designed to provide students with a broadened knowledge of Indigenous values and communities in the United States. The program focuses on the past and present understanding of Indigenous people with an emphasis on making a better future for Indigenous people and this program. Course in this program focus on Indigenous histories, languages, arts, issues, sovereignty, contemporary situations. Being a small program, students can identify their interest and do undergraduate research on topics that interest them. Students that complete the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program will receive a Bachelors of Arts Degree and can go on serve Indigenous people in tribal or federal agencies. Studying Indigenous experiences promotes understanding of Indigenous culture and helps respond to the need for multicultural awareness. In 1994 the minor changed names to the American Indian Studies minor, which is the same year Lakota language courses were starting to be offered. In 2013, South Dakota State University started offering a Bachelor of Arts in American Indian Studies under the American Indian Studies program. The major and minor still work to provide a more well-rounded understanding of American Indian experiences. In 2021, the programs name was changed to the American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program under the current American Indian Studies coordinator Mark Freeland.

In 1889, before statehood had been achieved in South Dakota, 16 members of the class of 1889 met following commencement exercises, they formed the Dakota Agricultural College Alumni Association.

Those early graduates of what would become the state’s largest university came together “for the purpose of preserving a feeling of unity and fellowship between the several graduates and for the purpose of cementing more closely the bonds existing between the alumni and their Alma Mater.”

The first effort to keep the graduates in touch with the association occurred in 1908-09 under Chairperson Prof. B.T. Whitehead. In that year, two letters were sent out to graduates by the association. In 1910, the Alumnus was started with Hubert B. Mathews as editor. The Alumnus would lay the ground work for the Alumni Associations current publication STATE Magazine. Another major role the Alumni Association in the early years was the establishment and support of Hobo Day activities in 1912.

One of the major tasks undertaken by the association began in 1962 when the SDSC Alumni Association passed a resolution advocating the change of South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts to South Dakota State University. “The success of the name change movement was largely due to the activities of the Alumni Association and its members,” said Art Sogn ’47, past chairperson of the Alumni Association. The idea of a permanent, separate headquarters for the Alumni Association was discussed in the early 1970s. During a nine-year period, the association had been located in five different offices. At an Alumni Council meeting June 23, 1973, with new chairperson Deane Antoine presiding, Keith Jensen, Alumni Association President & CEO, presented a proposal for an Alumni Center. Dedication of the Tompkins Alumni Center was held at the Alumni Days summer reunion June 12, 1976. / In June 1980, the SDSU Alumni Board of Directors, decided to explore the cost of building a patio area originally planned with Tompkins Alumni Center. It was suggested by Chad Kono, the Association’s President and CEO, that the patio be designed to include a clock tower that would house the Old North Clock donated to the University by the classes of 1922 and 1923. Later the bell from Old Central, which had been removed from Coughlin Campanile, was added.

In 1992 the Alumni Association became an independent 501 c (3) Non-profit corporation and in 2000 the Alumni Association began a major fundraising effort, called the Return to Glory campaign. This campaign raised funds to restore our prairie icon, the Coughlin Campanile. After the restoration work was complete, the re-dedication of the Campanile took place on September 22, 2001. In 2006 the Association got “on line” with a web site and electronic newsletter.

In 2008 a legislative advocacy group, the Jackrabbit Advocates, was formed to allow dedicated alumni to represent the independent voice of the Alumni Association in a strong collaborative partnership with South Dakota State University as they work with elected officials for the betterment of public higher education. / In 2010 a renovation of Tompkins Alumni Center was completed including the Paul Freeburg ’33 Archives Room located in the lower level of the center. Alumni are encouraged to visit their alumni home when they return to campus.

The Administrative Council was the new name given to the Council of Deans in 1942. The Committee of Deans, in existence from 1923, had been made up of the deans of the various areas on campus, including the colleges and the Deans of Men and Women. The Council made decisions on such things as campus rules, students' requests to expand their course load, student absences and disciplinary actions. Also discussed at meetings were administrative matters such as the institution of a vocational course and changing credits for certain courses. The Council approved candidates for degrees and the college calendar. It is not clear whether the president was always included in these meetings, although his name often appears on the minutes.

The name change to Administrative Council did not signify any major changes within the focus of the group. Throughout its lifespan, the nature of the material discussed and decisions made at these meetings remained the same as previous. By the mid 1950's, however, the Council had expanded to include faculty representatives from the Faculty Association.

By 1955, when the council is first mentioned in the Faculty Handbook, the group met weekly with the president to discuss questions of administration or policy brought forth by the president, or to discuss any other questions brought up the any council member. There is no indication of whether this was a decision-making group, but as no other campus group fulfilled the decision making and policy making duties performed by the Council, it can be assumed that they continued to perform these functions. At this time, the president served as the chairman of the Administrative Council. This brief description remains in the Faculty Handbook until the 1970 edition, when first mention is made of the Academic Senate, which did take over the decision-making and policy-making roles outlined above.

The Academic Women’s Equity Coalition was established at South Dakota State University in 1983-84 following informal discussions among faculty members about workplace policies and professional opportunities. Membership was open to all faculty and others who supported its mission. The coalition aimed to examine workplace policies, identify areas for improvement, and support faculty members in navigating professional challenges. It also served as a forum for exchanging information and ideas related to faculty experiences and career advancement.

The coalition focused on encouraging clear and consistent language in professional settings, fair hiring practices, equitable salaries, and transparency in promotion and tenure decisions. It also sought to support faculty members interested in administrative roles at the university. Through its efforts, the coalition played an active role in promoting discussions and initiatives related to faculty careers and professional development.

In 2006, South Dakota State University (SDSU) celebrated its 125th anniversary, marking a significant milestone in its history. To oversee and coordinate the commemorative activities, the university established the 125th Anniversary Planning Committee. This committee was responsible for organizing various events, publications, and initiatives that highlighted SDSU's achievements and contributions to education and the community over its 125-year history.

The committee's membership included:
• Carol J. Peterson, Chair
• Peggy Gordon Miller, President, Honorary Co-Chair
• Sherwood Berg, Emeritus President, Honorary Co-Chair
• Robert Wagner, Emeritus President, Honorary Co-Chair
• Joel Hefling
• Edward P. Hogan
• Wesley Tschetter
• Padmanaban Krishnan
• Deb Gulbranson
• V.J. Smith
• Carolyn Clague
• Stephen Van Buren
• Barbara Hartinger
• David Marquardt
• John Miller
• Steve Marquardt
• Laurie Nichols
• Michele Sage
• Adam Karnopp
• Jennifer Crickard (staff)
• Emery Tschetter (staff)
• Adam Zobel (student)
• Cy Fixen (student)

This diverse of university administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, worked collaboratively to ensure that the anniversary celebrations were comprehensive and reflective of SDSU's legacy. Their efforts culminated in a series of events and projects that not only commemorated the university's past but also set the stage for its future endeavors.

The records and materials produced by the committee are preserved in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections, serving as a valuable resource for understanding the university's history and the planning of significant institutional milestones.

The land-grant heritage of South Dakota State University, which began with a college founded in 1881, originates from local and national legislation dating back to 1862. The Morrill Act, passed by Congress and signed by President Abraham Lincoln in July of that year, embodied a revolutionary idea in higher education. The legislation created a new type of educational institution, one to give instruction in both liberal and practical arts to people in all parts of the country who needed to work for a living. In 1889, when South Dakota achieved statehood, Congress, acting under the Morrill Act of 1862, granted 160,000 acres of land for the use and support of the “agricultural college.” By accepting this land allocation, the State had to designate the Agricultural College as a land-grant college.

In 1887, the Hatch Act established Agricultural Experiment Stations at land-grant colleges throughout the United States to conduct research and disseminate information relating to agriculture and home economics. In 1914, the Smith-Lever Act formally established the Cooperative Extension Service to extend the research and knowledge of land-grant colleges and current agricultural and homemaking information to the people of each state. In 1917, the Smith-Hughes Act, provided for the preparation of teachers for secondary-school level instruction in agriculture, industrial arts, and home economics. By 1928 South Dakota State College had been chosen to conduct this program. In 1994 the Federal Government granted 29 tribal college (four in South Dakota) land-grant status. Tribal land-grant college extension programs are conducted in cooperation with the traditional (1862) land-grant institutions; therefore, SDSU has an on-going relationship with the tribal colleges through the land-grant linkage. As of 1923 South Dakota State College had an instructional program organized under five divisions: Agriculture, Engineering, General Science, Home Economics, and Pharmacy. Thirty years later, General Science was renamed the Division of Science and Applied Arts. The Nursing Division was created in 1956. The following year all graduate work was organized into the Graduate Division.

Status as a university began when the South Dakota Legislature changed the name of South Dakota State College to South Dakota State University on July 1, 1964. At that time the following colleges were created: Agriculture and Biological Sciences, Arts and Science, Engineering, Home Economics, Nursing, Pharmacy, and the Graduate School. In 1965 Ph.D. programs were established in Agronomy, Agricultural Economics (later discontinued), Animal Science, and Plant Pathology (later discontinued). A decade later, in 1974, the College of General Registration was established to provide assistance to student undecided about a major, preprofessional students, or students who wanted a one or two year general studies program. In 1975 the Department of Education was reorganized and renamed the Division of Education. In 1989 the Division of Education was granted college status. The College of Home Economics was renamed the College of Family and Consumer Affairs.

The South Dakota State Poetry Society was founded by Dr. James C. Lindberg of Northern State College and formally organized in Huron on October 5, 1927 in the Marvin Hughitt Hotel. The first officers of the organization were: Dr. Lindberg, President; Gertrude B. Gunderson of Mitchell, Vice President; and Ethelyn Miller Hartwich of Huron, Secretary. The stated purpose of the society is to encourage and foster the writing and publication of poetry by South Dakota writers. The organization was registered as a Nonprofit Corporation with the South Dakota Secretary of State on September 22, 1970.

Dr. Lindberg developed the first South Dakota Poetry magazine, Pasque Petals, which was made the official publication of the poetry society at its organizing meeting. Publication began in May of 1926 and continues today. It is the oldest poetry journal in continuous publication in the National Federation of State Poetry Societies.

South Dakota State Poetry Society is directed by a board made up of nine South Dakota poets who select an editor for Pasque Petals, oversee the annual national competition of poetry, and recommend the South Dakota Poet Laureate to the Governor. The current Poet Laureate is Lee Ann Roripaugh of Vermillion. The Poet Laureate post was a lifetime appointment until a recent change in state law that sets a four-year term. Past Poet Laureates are: Badger Clark, 1928-1957; Adeline Jenny, 1958-1973; Mabel Frederick, 1973; Audrae Visser, 1974-2001; and David Allan Evans, 2002-2014.

From 1908-1960, the South Dakota School of Agriculture at Brookings educated young men and women from across South Dakota in a unique atmosphere. For five months of the year, students lived on the campus of South Dakota State College and took "practical" classes to prepare for life on the farm and in the home. As a replacement for their high school course, the school primarily taught vocational agriculture and home economics but did not neglect traditional subjects such as English and arithmetic. Students took part in a full range of extracurricular activities and even published a newspaper. Aggies, as they were widely known, thus reaped the benefits of a high school education while still working at home or earning money to pay tuition for seven months of the year.

In the earliest years, enrollment in the school was very high. Both boys and girls were represented, and many students were older than average high school students were. High schools were not common in rural South Dakota, and those that were available were often at quite a distance, requiring students to live away from home. The five-month calendar was particularly attractive to rural students, and the location at South Dakota State University made many older students feel less conspicuous.

Following the 1917 passage of the Smith-Hughes Act, which provided funding for vocational and home economics in the public schools, enrollment began to decline slightly. The establishment of high schools throughout the state also assisted in the decline, although rural students continued to attend. Following World War II, the school began to offer a certificate in agriculture for high school graduates, similar to an associate's degree. By the early 1950's the number of girls enrolled dropped to two, and the home economics courses were dropped entirely. The agriculture classes were still offered however, although enrollment was often very low for the high school courses. In 1959, due to the drop in enrollment and growth in the number of high schools across the state, South Dakota State College decided to discontinue the high school courses and offer an associate's degree in agriculture as a replacement for the post-graduate work. In June, 1960, the last students graduated from the School of Agriculture, and it officially ceased to exist.

The Committee on Scholastic Affairs would hear, consider and make recommendations on grade appeals, student transfers, academic probation, absences, and withdrawal of students

The South Dakota State Climate Office is the recognized climate office for South Dakota supplying climate and drought information, data, tools, outlooks and a variety of other climate-related information to serve the state of South Dakota. Information is available to people involved in agriculture, industry, public safety and the general public through web sites, social media and print and electronic media.

The South Dakota Social Science Association was an organization of professional sociologists and students from colleges and universities in South Dakota. The association sponsored an annual meeting, several annual paper competitions, award ceremonies, and an academic journal. The annual meeting was a place where members could meet, exchange ideas, and present new research or papers in the field of Sociology. This organization became defunct in the 1980's.

When the South Dakota Resources Coalition was organized in the early 1970's, the environmental movement in the United States was young. While many national organizations and individuals had been involved in the "conservation" issues for years, the nation did not stir itself environmentally until after 1967. This year marked the beginning of federal laws and energetic efforts by the newly created United States Environmental Protection Agency not only to cope with rapidly expanding jurisdiction and authority, but also to build a constituency across the nation.

In the spring of 1972, Governor Richard Kneip "wanted something done about giving the scattered groups interested in the environment a politically viable voice." At that time, Esther R. Edie was secretary of South Dakotans for a Quality Environment, a local Brookings group. This group had been sending letters to the governor complaining about various aspects of state natural resource policy, specifically water resources management. A meeting was arranged with Edie, Dan Bucks, and Ted Muenster, executive assistants to the governor. Edie was asked to bring together the citizens' groups. The governor offered in return to co-sponsor a symposium on environmental issues as a kick-off for the new organization. He would be present to open the symposium and his office would help with publicity. Furthermore, he would guarantee the participation of "any state bureaucrat" for the symposium.

The South Dakota Environmental Symposium was held September 28, 1972, with Governor Kneip welcoming about 80 participants. The keynote speaker was Dave Trauger, head of the Iowa Environmental Coalition. Panels and workshops led by state officials and others were held on the state water plan, the Missouri River and Big Sioux River designation projects, Black Hills Forest policies and practices, recycling, air quality, and formation of an environmental organization.

Following the symposium, the South Dakota Environmental Coalition immediately became involved in the issues. On the state level, the Oahe irrigation project was its focus. On the national level, the Clean Air Act, the Water Pollution Control Amendments, and the Trans-Alaska pipeline were areas of concern. The group held its first annual meeting May 5, 1973, on the Augustana College campus in Sioux Falls.

By the end of 1973, several groups from across South Dakota were members. They included South Dakotans for a Quality Environment, the South Dakota Chapter of the Wildlife Society, Dakota Environmental Council, Brookings County National Formers Organization, James Valley Nature Club, the South Dakota Lung Association, the South Dakota State University Wildlife Management Club, Center for Community Organization and Development, Community Recyclers of Usable Discards, Save the Black Hills, and the state League of Women Voters.

In 1978, the group changed its name to South Dakota Resources Coalition to reflect more accurately its broad concerns. It also was incorporated as a non-profit, tax exempt organization. In 1982, the board set up a separate corporation, The South Dakota Resources Protection Fund, to raise and dispense funds for lobbying.

Through the years, South Dakota Resources Coalition has sponsored or co-sponsored many public education programs and other special events. The first, in 1973, was a four-part public television series titled "Who Shall Control the Land?" Some extensive projects were carried out with grants from the United States EPA. The first grant, in 1974, was for a water quality institute to train local government officials and other community leaders in implementation of the federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972. In 1978-79, another grant gave the group an opportunity to make a film in cooperation with South Dakota Public Television titled "The Invisible Thief." This film focused on water pollution for non-point sources. This grant also helped to fund an insert on water quality for Eco Forum, the group's newsletter.

South Dakota Resources Coalition has been represented on a number of citizen’s advisory committees appointed by the executive branch the state government. Some of these include the South Dakota Futures Program, Citizens and Community Advisory Committee on the Oahe Project, Citizens Advisory Committee for Statewide Water Quality Management Planning, and the Citizens Advisory Committee on Toxic Air Regulations.

South Dakota Resources Coalition has been involved in lobbying on a long list of national issues. It has also been a participant in regional environmental programs like the Great Plains Environmental Conference and the Missouri River-Great Plains Caucus.

Throughout its history, South Dakota Resources Coalition has maintained its place as a leader in the South Dakota environmental movement. Its work on issues such as water quality, waste disposal, and mining suggest that it will continue to be a player in the years to come.

In the spring of 1970, I.J. Carey and others founded the South Dakota Paint Horse Club, a direct affiliate of the American Paint Horse Association. I.J. Carey became President of the South Dakota Paint Horse Club for three years, before becoming National Director and Secretary Treasurer, respectively.

South Dakota Paint Horse Club acts as a non-profit organization to promote the special breed of paint horses, an American horse breed mixed with white splotches and common dark colors. South Dakota Paint Horse Club’s foundation revolves around the promotions of the paint horse, and are provided through vast production of newspapers, television ads, and magazines. Furthermore, promotion continued through the use of horse shows, fairs, auctions, and races which produced awards of money and memorabilia both locally and nationally, directly impacted membership and interest in South Dakota Paint Horse Club.

Of the most impactful contributions the South Dakota Paint Horse Club includes the paint horse shows and the “Hoofprints” newsletter, which started in 1975 and is composed of the current officers, directors, show dates, futurity, overall meeting notes, sales, and financial statements. Due to financial burdens, the South Dakota Paint Horse Club was disbanded in 2021, leaving a legacy behind the image of the paint horse breed.

The South Dakota Nurses Foundation was formally created in 1999, serving as a secondary foundation to support and cooperate with the South Dakota Nurses Association. An initial version of the South Dakota Nurses Foundation existed between 1990 and 1998, but leadership issues resulted in the disbanding of this initial foundation. The South Dakota Nurses Foundation focused on three main purposes: research to increase development of nursing knowledge and health care practices, education to support health related learning and nursing advancements, and service to serve the citizens of South Dakota through the professional health field. The Board of Directors of the South Dakota Nurses Foundation have met every year since 1999, except for 2001.

The South Dakota Nurses’ Association was formed on July 11, 1916 as the South Dakota State Association of Graduate Nurses. At this first meeting in Rapid City, only seventeen nurses were present. The SDNA became the forty-third constituent group of the American Nurses Association, which had been created in 1901. The new members selected Mrs. Elizabeth Dryborough to be the first President.

In 1929, the organization’s name was changed to its present one of the South Dakota Nurses’ Association. At this time, the district system of organization was also introduced. The state was divided into three districts, one west of the Missouri River and two east. The divisions would remain this way until 1957, when the state was reorganized into the thirteen districts that are used today.

The South Dakota Nurses’ Association has worked to improve the quality of nursing care in South Dakota since its creation in 1916. The first project the organization worked on was the creation of a Nurse Practice Act for South Dakota which would set educational standards for nursing schools and create a state examining board to oversee the licensure of nurses. This act was passed by the 1917 legislature and created what became the present-day South Dakota Board of Nursing.

The SDNA has been involved in many other projects to improve nursing care. They have been very involved in the debates over what level of education should be required to become a nurse and over whether or not practicing nurses should be required to take continuing education classes. They have been very active in lobbying the legislature to try to get health care bills passed. Through the years they have given nurses in the state a chance to learn new techniques and share experiences through conventions, workshops, and classes. They also publish a periodical called the South Dakota Nurse, which provides another way for nurses to keep up with changes in the profession.

The idea of an art center for South Dakota originated with the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs when Mrs. Herbert Kenyon of Yankton was state president (1947-1949). At the state convention in 1950, a resolution was approved asking that a suitable building be erected, to be known as the South Dakota Federation of Women’s Clubs Memorial Art Center.

For fifty years the Federation had been influential in movements for the cultural development of this members and the state in which they live. The women had collected fine reproduction of painting, some originals, and art objects to be circulated and used for study by clubs. This collection was kept in Pierre in the home of Mrs. S.C. Polley, who, with several others, was active in developing the work. The Free Library Commission took over the storage when the collection became too large and had to be moved. As interest grew in these art treasures, the need for establishing a Memorial Art Center became apparent.

In December, 1948, the Pierre Women’s Club presented a resolution to the official board asking that the Federation sponsor the erection of a building, as “a memorial to the determined women who pioneered the women’s club movement in the state.” The resolution to establish such a memorial passed at the convention in Rapid City in October 1950, and a fund for the purpose was started.

To select a location, cities and institutions were asked to extend an invitation to the Federation. Five cities responded: Pierre, Huron, Spearfish, Vermillion, and Brookings. It was announced in April, 1955, that Brookings had been chosen as the site. The Regents of Education for South Dakota approved the placing of the Memorial Art Center on the State College campus on June 23, 1955. A fundraising campaign was launched and was successful in raising nearly $350,000. A federal grant of $166,666 was also obtained with the Federation contribution nearly $55,000.

Construction began in 1969 on the South Dakota State University campus and the building was dedicated in May 1970.

The South Dakota Humanities Council (SDHC), was founded in 1972 in response to an act of Congress. It is the only cultural organization whose sole mission is to deliver humanities programming to the people of South Dakota. Through literature, history, and other humanities subjects, the Council promotes increased cultural awareness and greater appreciation of the state's rich cultural heritage while also emphasizing the importance of understanding the universal human experience. This programming vision forms the core mission of SDHC. The agency supports and promotes public programming while providing grant funding to South Dakota non-profit and educational organizations for programs in traditional humanities disciplines. For 35 years, the SDHC has provided a host of opportunities. Financial Grant Support is available for community organizations through Discussion Grants, Media Grants and Research Grants.

The Council is operated by a staff of five full-time professionals. The Council maintains a board of 18 South Dakotans who set policy, provide guidance and determine programming goals and missions. The board is composed of citizens with varied backgrounds who serve as volunteer board members. There are four members of the Council board that are appointed by the Governor of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Higher Education Association [HEFA] was established on March 27, 1971 by forty-five faculty members from five state supported educational institutions. This group was frustrated by low salaries; discouraged by the state Supreme Court ruling regarding their right of due process in matters of dispute with administrative officers; and foiled in their attempt to communicate effectively with the Board of Regents on matters traditionally considered to be within the realm of faculty prerogatives. As stated in their constitution, the purpose of the organization would be to enable the faculties of the state colleges and universities of South Dakota to speak with a common voice on matters pertaining to them and to present their individual and common interests before such bodies that may influence their welfare. The goal of the majority of the delegates was more open lines of communication between faculty and all levels of administration.

By 1976, the South Dakota State University HEFA Branch reorganized slightly to include more members. It also joined with faculty organizations at other state institutions to become a part of the South Dakota Faculty Coalition, a more inclusive group than the statewide HEFA. In 1977, HEFA gave up its long fight to be named the collective bargaining unit for higher education faculty and endorsed the Council of Higher Education-National Education Association in becoming that unit. Apparently as a result of that action, HEFA ceased to exist after 1978.

Journalist Isaac Newton Gresham founded the Farmers Educational and Cooperative Union in Point, Texas, in 1902 to protect and promote the interests of family farmers. The organization expanded nationally in 1905.

The Farmer’s Union was introduced to South Dakota around 1914 by former members of the Nebraska Farmers Union who had relocated to the state. Early organizational efforts in South Dakota were driven by Farmers Union officials from Nebraska.

On March 16, 1917, the South Dakota Farmers Union was officially established as a state unit during its first state convention in Mitchell. The convention brought together 268 delegates representing 14 counties, reflecting the organization's growing presence. By this time, 134 local chapters had been formed across the state.

Education has been a cornerstone of the South Dakota Farmers Union, pioneering programs that were later adopted by other state units. In its early years, the Union played a crucial role in collective purchasing, helping farmers acquire essential supplies such as flour, coal, and twine.

In 1881, farmers in Yankton County established the first alliance in Dakota Territory, following the lead of Milton George, editor of the Western Rural, who denounced railroads as discriminatory and supported the National Farmers’ Alliance. A sharp decline in wheat prices in 1884 spurred widespread unrest, leading to mass meetings in Clark, Huron, Mellette, and Redfield, where farmers demanded railroad regulation. In response, a territorial railroad commission was created in January 1885, though opposition left it powerless to set freight rates. The movement gained momentum in February 1885, when alliance delegates from 11 counties met in Huron to form the Dakota Farmers’ Alliance, affiliating with the national organization. By mid-summer, the number of local alliances in the territory had tripled, reflecting the growing strength of the farmers’ movement.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau is one of the oldest farmers' organizations in South Dakota. Work at the county level began as early as 1913, and the state Farm Bureau Federation was formed in 1917. At first, the Farm Bureau was closely associated with the Cooperative Extension Service, but by 1935, the association dissipated.

The South Dakota Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company formerly provided another member service of the Farm Bureau Federation. This federation owned company provided insurance to members. In July 1999, it merged with the Iowa Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company and ceased to exist. The South Dakota Farm Bureau Service Company is a for-profit corporation owned and operated by the South Dakota Farm Bureau Federation.

In 1980, the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). The EPSCoR program is designed to assist states in establishing a self-sustaining academic research enterprise with the competitive capability that will contribute to the states' economic viability and development. The EPSCoR mission is "to strengthen research and education in science and engineering throughout the United States and to avoid undue concentration of such research and education." Today many federal agencies have developed a similar program including NASA, DOE, DoD, NIH, etc.

Goals of South Dakota EPSCoR include: Improving South Dakota's research science and technology capabilities; Providing educational opportunities for K-12, undergraduate, and graduate students; Pursuing potential technology transfer and commercialization activities to promote economic development within the state of South Dakota; In order to achieve these goals South Dakota EPSCoR has a working collaboration with the Office of Commercialization, the Governor's Office of Economic Development, and the Board of Regents. Actively involved universities include South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, South Dakota State University, and the University of South Dakota.

The South Dakota Dairy Association, founded in 1904, played a key role in advancing the state's dairy industry. It promoted dairy farming practices, supported producers, and contributed to the sector's economic impact. The association was governed by a board including a president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer, ensuring strategic direction. Since 1976, South Dakota State University has hosted the South Dakota Dairymen’s Conference, later renamed the Dairy and Forage Conference. Annual conventions facilitated industry collaboration and policy discussions. In 1993, the association merged with the North Dakota and Minnesota dairy promotion councils to form the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council.

The South Dakota Crop Improvement Association began as the South Dakota Corn Growers and Corn Breeders Association in September of 1906. It was originally intended to be a temporary organization to improve corn cultivation in South Dakota. However, after the first crop show, the members decided to make the organization permanent, and A.E. Chamberlain of Howard was selected to be the first President.

In 1909, the name was changed to the South Dakota Corn Growers and Grain Growers Association due to the organization’s new focus on improving all grain types grown in South Dakota. In 1924 they decided to merge with the South Dakota Experimental Association, an organization created to test and disseminate new crop varieties, and in 1925, the entire group was renamed the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association.

Since 1925, the SDCIA has continued to work towards the improvement of South Dakota’s seed crops. They have created various groups and committees to work on the testing and certification of seed, such as the Seed Council of South Dakota in 1928 and the Foundation Seed Stocks Corporation in 1944. A state crop show and membership meeting is held annually by the organization to help farmers learn about new seed varieties and farming practices. They have also helped create many county-level associations of the SDCIA to help with agricultural education and the maintenance of pure, certified seed.

In 1890, the new legislature agreed to a governing board for higher education in the state. A nine-member Board of Regents appointed by the governor was established as the Regents of Education. These regents were to govern alongside each university's Board of Trustees, which had most of the power over individual institutions.

The dual system of control was carried on for six years, until the South Dakota Legislature became aware of the problems of the two-board system. In November 1896, the South Dakota Constitution was amended to name a five-member Board of Regents, which would be in control of all educational institutions in the state.

Today, after a number of further structural changes, the Board of Regents consists of nine members, including a student regent. Terms of office are for six years, with the exception of the student who serves for only two. The Board of Regents is the constitutional governing board for the six South Dakota universities and two special schools. The Board approved budgets, faculty appointments, salaries and curricula to name a few of its roles.

The South Dakota Home Economics Association was founded in November 1913 when Eva Dawes, the first home economics instructor at the University of South Dakota, was tasked by Dean Parish of the South Dakota Education Association to organize state home economics teachers. The inaugural meeting in Sioux Falls was attended by 16 teachers, with Dawes serving as the first president for three years.

In 1994, the organization was renamed the South Dakota Association of Family and Consumer Sciences following a nationwide survey by the American Home Economics Association recommending a shift in terminology.

The association aims to advance education, science, and research in family and consumer sciences, setting professional standards and providing guidance on social, economic, and psychological issues. It organizes seminars, conferences, and promotes legislation to improve home and family life, while fostering cooperation with related professional groups.

The South Dakota Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (S.D.A.I.A.W.) was established in 1971. According to the association’s guidelines, the purpose of the association was to: Organize and conduct intercollegiate sports for the college

The work in home economics extension has from the outset been organized largely on a neighborhood or community basis, with counties having anywhere from one to several individual clubs. When communities had several well-established local home demonstration clubs, a county demonstration council was organized, made up of representatives from the local clubs. One of its main functions was to advise the home demonstration agent in shaping the county program and plans. There was also a state council of home demonstration clubs. The state council usually held its annual meeting during the State Farm and Home Week. From this committee, suggestions for the work of the succeeding year are sent to all county councils.

Farmers' Institute was a program held by universities featuring lectures dealing with farm and home topics. Every institute made homemaking a large part of the program allowing women to share with the men the full benefits of the lectures and discussions. Community clubs of rural women, who belonged to the Farmers' Institute, preceded Extension clubs in South Dakota. These community clubs supplied their own programs and they met in rural churches or in larger homes.

Venia Keller was appointed as the first women Extension worker after the Smith Lever Act of 1914 was enacted. The work of the first Extension specialists was almost entirely in connection with Farmers' Institute and homemakers’ clubs but some demonstrations were given at county fairs. With very few exceptions each group had a woman member who demonstrated and lectured on some phase of food preparation. In 1918 there were many changes. Work in foods consisted of preservation and conservation; and poultry raising and child feeding were adopted as topics for the specialists. During World War I the Federal Food Production Act provided money for the employment of county home demonstration agents. All of these agents worked with the Food Administration during the war. Their projects included saving wheat, fats and sugar, and the use of meat substitutes and canning campaigns. During the summer special demonstrations were given on uses for cottage cheese.

The 1920's began with plans for holding nine demonstrations of foods and nutrition for organized homemaker's clubs in four counties. More and more home demonstration agent districts were being added. Leader training meetings in foods and nutrition were initiated. In 1923 the nutrition program was broken up to include three food, three clothing, and three home management meetings. During the late 1920's Mary Dolve supervised a drive to find out what the needs of the homemakers were concerning foods and nutrition. Questionnaires were sent to 875 clubs and discussions were held at training schools and local meetings. Extension specialists received a fair indication of what they could do to help the homemakers.

In 1928 money was made available for expansion of home extension work through the Capper-Ketcham Act, which meant that home agents served only three counties instead of four. The founding meeting for the South Dakota Federation of Home Demonstration Clubs was on September 12, 1928 at the State Fair grounds. Mrs. Perry Clifford of Cresbard was named chairman. The first organizational meeting was held during the Farmer's Short Course in February, 1929. Nineteen official delegates from fourteen counties voted to make the Federation a reality and a constitution was adopted. Two yearly meetings were held: a business meeting during the State Fair and an education meeting during Farm and Home Week at South Dakota State University. Individual clubs were encouraged to join.

The purpose of the state council was to exchange ideas about homes and the Extension Service did their part by offering educational materials and planning help. Early projects of the Federation included contests, which supplemented the educational lessons of the clubs. A state wide contest included publicity, awards for poultry and egg recipes; and ironing, bread baking, and vegetable preparation contests.

During the depression of the 1930's, the council managed to stay active by holding district meetings in four areas of the state. This allowed members to attend meeting without having the added expense of travel. In the 1940's, the Farm and Home Week was discontinued, so speakers and demonstrators for that event spoke at the district meetings instead. In 1950, the first money-raising project was begun. Clubs contributed funds to bring an exchange student from Germany to South Dakota to study home economics and extension at South Dakota State University for one year. Extension clubs have also contributed money to the Crippled Children's Hospital and the South Dakota Art Museum.

During the 1970's a new policy was developed and each meeting was to be planned separately by local leaders. The chief function of the meeting is to strengthen county participation, promote the projects and activities of the Council, and foster old and new friendships. / While the council has changed its name over the years from South Dakota Home Demonstration Clubs to South Dakota Home Extension Homemakers Clubs and eventually South Dakota Community & Family Extension Leaders, the main purpose has basically remained the same: to promote the improvement of home and community life.

In 1947, the South Dakota General Federation of Women's Clubs voted to raise the money for an art center so the people of South Dakota would have a place to view works of art. In 1950, the Women's Clubs voted to locate the art center on the South Dakota State College campus in Brookings. Construction began on the facility in 1969 with dedication of the Memorial Art Center occurring in 1970. By 1976, the Art Center became the first museum in South Dakota to be accredited by the American Association of Museums. In 1987, in recognition of its expanded programming and role, the Board of Regents renamed the museum the South Dakota Art Museum.

It is the mission of the South Dakota Art Museum to acquire and care for works of art, which preserve the rich and varied artistic legacy of South Dakota. The tradition of giving works of art to the museum began when the Women's Club gave its collection as the new building was completed. Significant purchases of art for the museum by the university Alumni Association and the South Dakota Arts Council soon followed. Through both purchases and generous gifts, the museum has amassed a worthy permanent collection used extensively for exhibition, educational outreach and scholarly research.

The South Dakota Art Museum has galleries with works on display from the Harvey Dunn, Oscar Howe, Native American Tribal Art and Marghab Linen Collections. Other galleries feature temporary exhibitions representing a broad spectrum of themes, styles and media. Lectures, exhibition briefings, reception, children's programs, films and other public events round out the museum's offerings.

The Beckman Archives at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum is composed of tractor and machinery manuals.

The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum was created in 1967 by South Dakota State University [SDSU] and from 1975-1995 was a program of the South Dakota State Historical Society. In April 1995, the museum again became affiliated with SDSU and now reports directly to the Vice President for Administration.

The South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum is a museum that provides South Dakota residents and visitors with increased opportunities to know and appreciate the important role of agriculture and rural life in the state's past. The Agricultural Heritage Museum is dedicated to the preservation, study, and interpretation of objects relating to South Dakota agriculture and rural life between 1860 and the present. It is concerned not only with related technologies, crops and livestock, but also with the human experiences, institutions, and cultures that have shaped and been shaped by the state's rural landscape and environment. / The permanent staff and part-time workers of the museum are involved in the five functions essential to any museum operation: collecting, restoring and preserving, researching, exhibiting, and interpreting objects of significance to the museum's scope and purpose.

The Hatch Act of 1887 established the Agricultural Experiment Station. This act required all of the colleges established under the Morrill Act of 1862 to establish a department to be known as an "Agricultural Experiment Station." This station was to acquire and diffuse practical and useful information on topics related to agriculture for the people of the United States. The promotion of scientific investigation and experimentation was also a requirement of the act. An annual report was to be provided from all stations and periodic bulletins or reports of progress were to be distributed. Federal funds were provided for this venture, and in 1887, Dakota Agricultural College, as South Dakota State University was then known, established its Agricultural Experiment Station along these guidelines.

Today, much of the Agricultural Experiment Station research is done at Brookings, however, a considerable amount is conducted at six field stations and at the West River Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Rapid City. Field stations are maintained to conduct research designed to solve local or special-purpose problems. Beyond this, research on farms and ranches, in wildlife areas, in streams and reservoirs, and with cooperating businesses and institutions results in research being conducted in nearly every county of the state. / The research function of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences results from carefully designed experiments providing a base of new knowledge and service to the citizens of South Dakota. This new knowledge is effectively used by farmers, ranchers, homemakers, industry, in the campus classroom, and in extension education programs throughout the state.

Research may be grouped in the following subject matter areas: livestock, crops and soils, community and public affairs, animal health, fertilizers, garden and orchard, home and consumer, water resources and irrigation, forestry, insects, farm machinery, marketing, business management, farm buildings, pollution, range and grass, fisheries, plant diseases, wildlife, sociology, and biostress in plants, animals, and humans. Research is financed by state and federal appropriations, industry grants, and federal and state grants. Research results are published in Experiment Station or Extension bulletins, journals of scientific societies, and a quarterly publication, Farm and Home Research.

The Faculty Round Table was organized November 1, 1901. Its aim was to promote professional and social intercourse of its members. Its membership was restricted to the faculty and instructors of the college, and their wives and husbands. Regular meetings occurred monthly during the college year. The aim was to inspire intellectual discussion of papers presented at each meeting.

Also known as Commercial Science, the Department of Commerce existed at South Dakota State University in the early 1900's and disappeared from college catalogs around 1903. The Department of Commerce included secretarial courses, and commercial, or business courses. The secretarial courses included business law, commercial methods (letter writing, filing, etc.), typewriting, money and banking, shorthand, accounting, and other general courses. The commercial courses included business methods, bookkeeping, shorthand, typewriting, business law, money and banking, business affairs, commerce and industry and other general courses.