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This collection documents the research, writing, and production of The College on the Hill: A Sense of South Dakota State University History, an anecdotal institutional history authored by Amy Dunkle with contributions by V. J. Smith. Materials reflect the authors’ efforts to chronicle South Dakota State University from its founding in 1881 through 2003, with particular attention to the people, events, and circumstances that shaped the institution’s development from Dakota Agricultural College into a comprehensive public university.

The collection includes research files, correspondence, interview transcripts, chapter drafts, topic files, photographs, publicity materials, and digital media used in the preparation of the book. Subjects documented include student life, campus traditions, athletics, Hobo Day, academic departments, campus buildings, notable faculty and alumni, social activities, and broader historical contexts such as wartime experiences, political visits, and student activism. Also present are draft materials and chapter concepts not included in the final publication. Together, these materials provide insight into the construction of institutional history through personal narratives, oral histories, and archival sources, and offer researchers a rich resource for studying university memory, campus culture, and the social history of South Dakota State University.

This collection primarily consists of printed materials and publications produced by the Office of the Director of the Alumni Association. Included are event programs, brochures, newsletters, flyers, mailers, and postcards related to reunions, banquets, alumni awards, and other gatherings. A significant portion of the collection is devoted to STATE: A Magazine for SDSU Alumni and Friends, Rabbit Ears, and the Jackrabbit Insider e-newsletters. Also included are alumni directories, promotional items, greeting cards, and certificates of distinction such as the Campanile Climbers Award of Merit. Photographs (Box 3) depict alumni activities and events. Notably, some material addresses institutional concerns, such as correspondence related to the possible removal of the College of Engineering from SDSU.

The Alumni Association Records documents the relationship between South Dakota State University and its alumni. The collection provides insight into alumni engagement strategies, institutional memory, and campus traditions. It is especially valuable for researchers interested in university history, the development of alumni relations, and the cultural identity of SDSU over time. Materials such as reunion memorabilia, award programs, and alumni publications preserve a strong sense of community and shared history among SDSU graduates.