The Joye Ann Billow Papers document the professional career, family history, and personal interests of Dr. Billow, a longtime faculty member of the South Dakota State University College of Pharmacy. The collection includes awards, honors, correspondence, curricula vitae, and publications reflecting her academic contributions. Materials also document her role in organizing the South Dakota Tours for new faculty in 2000 and 2001, including packets, correspondence, and photographs.
Personal and family materials form a substantial portion of the papers. These include biographical portraits, school photographs, yearbooks, baby books, and family correspondence. Genealogical documents from the Billow, Pierce, Herb, and Lux families are present, along with memorial books and condolence materials. A large scrapbook contains family genealogical records such as birth, confirmation, and marriage certificates, as well as collected correspondence and memorabilia.
The collection is especially rich in photographs, encompassing portraits, family groups, travels, and collected images, as well as images related to ceramics, clocks, and other objects. In addition, the papers contain Dr. Billow’s original artwork, including watercolors, ink drawings, and sketches, which reflect her artistic pursuits after retirement.
This collection is a resource for documentation of Dr. Billow’s three decades of service to pharmacy education at SDSU and her broader contributions to campus governance and community organizations. It preserves the history of faculty professional service at a land-grant university and highlights the integration of academic work with community engagement. The extensive genealogical and family materials provide insight into the Billow and Pierce families of Pennsylvania and South Dakota connections, while the inclusion of original art illustrates Dr. Billow’s creative endeavors following her academic career. Together, the papers present a multifaceted record of professional achievement, family heritage, and personal expression.
Billow, Joye Ann