Charles Louis Sewrey, a native of St. Paul, Minnesota, came to South Dakota State College in 1947 after graduating with high distinction from the University of Minnesota. He held BA and MA degrees and had some teaching experience from the University of Minnesota. His third degree, Ph.D., also from Minnesota, was granted in 1955. He taught American political, economic, cultural and diplomatic history as professor of history at South Dakota State University. In addition to teaching, he published numerous articles in some of America's leading intellectual magazines. Dr. Sewrey also authored a book titled, A History of South Dakota State College in 1959. He was a member of Phi Beta Kappa, a national scholastic honorary society. Dr. Sewrey retired from teaching in 1974 due to failing health. He died in 1979. A memorial endowment fund was established in 1981. The History Department is the main benefactor of the endowment, which funds scholarships and faculty development with such programs as the Sewrey Faculty Colloquium.