1932 (February and June) and 1934 (February)
1948-1951 (scattered issues), and 1959-1960 issue, 75 Years SDSC - 35 Years AZ
The Alpha Zeta Records document the history and activities of the South Dakota Chapter of Alpha Zeta, an honorary agricultural fraternity established at South Dakota State College in 1924. The collection encompasses extensive correspondence related to the chapter’s formation, including the original 1924 charter certificate, and various versions of local and national constitutions and by-laws. It contains newsletters, brochures, and publications such as the Alpha Zeta Newsletter (1948–1960), Prairie Winds alumni newsletters (1980s), and reports from national biennial conclaves dating from 1929 to 1966.
Included are comprehensive reports from the South Dakota Chapter to the national fraternity spanning 1931 to 1987, such as monthly meeting minutes, semester membership and initiate reports, and officer reports. The collection also preserves local materials: pledge and new member manuals, membership directories, examination records, songs, awards certificates, and memorabilia like banners and scrapbooks.
Photographic materials consist of loose color and black-and-white photos documenting initiations, social events, awards ceremonies, and group portraits from the late 20th century. Membership cards, both individual and blank, dating from 1924 onward are also part of the collection.
This archival resource provides a rich and detailed record of the chapter’s evolution, its members, and its role within agricultural education and leadership development over nearly a century.
This collection is a resource for the study of agricultural education, student leadership development, and fraternal organizations at South Dakota State University and nationally. It offers valuable insights into the social, academic, and community-oriented functions of Alpha Zeta as a prominent agricultural fraternity. The records reflect the local chapter’s commitment to fostering agricultural leadership, academic excellence, and service, documenting its growth, challenges, and community involvement through multiple decades.
Alpha Zetaincludes dated and undated handwritten and typed listings, survey responses [from 195?], as well as lists of accepted pledges from 1938-1943, 1949-1950
Includes revisions dated November 18, 1992, March 23, 1992, October 3, 1985, and undated earlier versions
Includes 1924 certificate
inviting Ray Melvin Lien to an examination for membership
Oct-Dec, 1947 thru January 31, 1967 [missing some reports from 1950, 1951, 1957, 1958, 1964]
from 1931-1966 [missing 1932, 1944,1945, 1957
May, 1937-December, 1953 (missing 1940-1945 and parts of 1946, 1948, 1949, 1950)
January, 1954 thru April 1964 (missing most of 1957), as well as semi-annual reports of Fall and Spring, 1966
includes SD sections arranged by year and by city
from 1924-1943 and from 1955; also blank membership cards
1982, 1985-1987, and one undated (issues missing)
lists officers, income ans members by semester; September 17, 1937 thru June 5, 1987 [1943-44 are missing]
lists officers, income and members by semester; December 31, 1931-June 10, 1937
words and music Townshend Chapter 1903