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The H.M. Briggs Library holds five illuminated manuscript leaves, or single pages, consisting of religious texts dating from the 13th to the 15th centuries. One leaf is from the Biblia Sacra Latina (Vulgate Bible), handwritten on vellum and dating to the 13th century. It features wide margins, red and blue chapter numerals, historiated and illuminated initials, and intricate penwork ornamentation.

The remaining four leaves are from the Hours of the Virgin, a section of the Book of Hours, a devotional text widely used during the Middle Ages. These 15th-century vellum leaves originate from France, Flanders, and Paris, with one printed incunabula leaf produced by Philippe Pigouchet for Simon Vostre in 1496. The leaves include rubricated and historiated initials, decorative borders, and elaborate ornamentation in red, blue, and gold. The Hours of the Virgin, also known as the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary, includes prayers, hymns, psalms, and lessons said at each of the eight canonical hours. The leaves were acquired from the estate of Morris Elmer Nellermoe, Jr. (1926–2004).

The South Dakota Farmers Alliance Records document the early efforts of farmers in Dakota Territory to organize against economic and political challenges, particularly those posed by railroad monopolies. The collection includes an 1887 address by President H. L. Loucks and proceedings from the Alliance's annual convention, reflecting the organization's advocacy for agricultural and economic reforms. Additionally, an undated advertisement for A Book for Farmers Dunning's Farm Ledger and Historical Account highlights the practical and educational resources valued by the farming community.

These records provide insight into the broader Farmers' Alliance movement, which emerged in Dakota Territory in the early 1880s in response to declining wheat prices and perceived railroad injustices. The movement gained traction with the formation of the Dakota Farmers' Alliance in 1885, expanding rapidly across the region. The documents in this collection offer valuable historical context on the Alliance's objectives, leadership, and strategies during a critical period of agrarian activism in South Dakota.

The J.M. Aldrich Diaries consist of three volumes documenting Aldrich’s student years at Dakota Agricultural College from 1885 to 1888. The diaries provide a detailed daily account of his experiences during the formative years of the college. Each volume represents one academic year: Volume 1 (1885–1886), Volume 2 (1886–1887), and Volume 3 (1887–1888). Between 1930 and 1932, Aldrich transcribed the original diaries into typewritten copies and added parenthetical annotations for clarification.

Entries are organized by day and date, offering insight into Aldrich’s routine activities, travels between Minnesota and Brookings, and observations of campus life. Although many entries describe ordinary events, they collectively convey a rich portrayal of student life and the broader Dakota Territory environment during the 1880s. Notable topics include transportation challenges, early college operations, and administrative changes, such as the replacement of President George Lilley with Lewis McLouth.

These diaries are a primary source reflecting the student perspective during the early years of Dakota Agricultural College. They document both the mundane and institutional aspects of academic life in the upper Midwest frontier and serve as a foundational narrative for understanding student culture and college development in the Dakota Territory.

This collection is composed of original records of the Dakota Agricultural College Board of Regents, documenting foundational governance activity between 1884 and 1895. It includes a ledger of official minutes detailing key decisions and organizational structures during the college's formative years. Topics covered include the selection of the first president, establishment of committees to oversee academic programs, finances, building construction, land management, and admissions. The ledger also records the development of early budgetary and curricular frameworks, with later entries incorporating presidential reports. A notation at the conclusion references a second volume of minutes, but its location is currently unknown.

Additionally, the collection contains a petition signed by students, requesting the dismissal of an English/History professor—offering early evidence of student engagement with faculty performance and governance.

These records offer critical insight into the early administrative and academic formation of South Dakota State University during its era as Dakota Agricultural College. The materials illustrate the priorities and challenges of a newly established land-grant institution in the late 19th century, highlighting student activism, governance practices, and institutional planning. The collection is especially significant for scholars interested in the history of higher education in South Dakota, land-grant college governance, and student-faculty relations in early American universities.

This is an artificial collection of student essays written between 1890 and 1901 at South Dakota State University. The collection includes handwritten, typed, stapled, sewn, or bound manuscripts—many with decorative ribbons or illustrated covers demonstrating a variety of student work and material culture from the period. Most essays are approximately twenty pages in length, indicating substantial academic effort. Although all essays include an author and title, they often list only the student’s graduating class rather than the date of composition.

The topics covered are wide-ranging and reflect the interdisciplinary nature of student inquiry during the late 19th century. Many essays focus on English language studies (particularly rhetorical analysis of writers such as Addison, DeQuincey, and Macauley), mechanical and agricultural sciences (such as woodcarving, bridge construction, irrigation, crop studies, and domestic sheep anatomy), and natural sciences (including entomology, embryology, comparative anatomy, and astronomy). Other essays explore themes in domestic science, floriculture, education, music, evolution, and law, showcasing the curriculum diversity and student interests of the era.

Also included is a student petition and a ledger containing meeting minutes, possibly related to early student governance or club activities.

This collection provides insight into student scholarship and academic expectations at SDSU during the university's formative years. It reflects the educational priorities of a land-grant institution and documents early student engagement with both liberal and practical arts. The diversity of subjects illustrates a curriculum balanced between classical education and applied sciences, and the physical attributes of the essays preserve elements of 19th-century student life, material culture, and academic presentation practices.

The Faculty Round Table Records consist of foundational administrative documents related to the formation and governance of the Faculty Round Table at South Dakota State University. The collection includes a handwritten ledger containing the group’s original by-laws and minutes from its first meeting. These by-laws outline the organization's name, mission, membership requirements, officer roles, and procedures for conducting meetings. A typewritten version titled "Tentative Rules Governing Faculty Round Table" presents similar content, providing a clearer reference for organizational structure and protocol.

This collection offers insight into the early governance and self-organization of faculty at SDSU, reflecting the values, administrative priorities, and participatory culture of the academic community during the group’s inception. The documents serve as valuable primary sources for understanding faculty governance practices, professional engagement, and institutional development.

This collection consists of records from the Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor at South Dakota State University. Materials include the constitution and bylaws (with amendments), secretary’s books, and a booklet of prayer meeting topics. The secretary’s books serve as the primary recordkeeping source and include minutes of meetings and membership information. These records offer insight into the religious and social activities of young Christians on campus, their organizational structure, and the devotional themes they explored.

The collection documents the efforts of Christian youth to foster fellowship and spiritual development through organized prayer meetings, governance, and communal responsibilities. It reflects early 20th-century student religious life and offers context for broader Christian youth movements in American higher education.

This collection consists primarily of the scrapbook The Girl Graduate, Her Own Book, compiled by Loto Rollinstahl Underwood to document her college experience. The scrapbook captures a range of social and academic life through pasted and interleaved materials, including invitations, class listings, programs, dance cards, commencement publications, and newspaper clippings. Spanning 176 numbered pages, the volume features few written entries and no photographs, but offers insight into early 20th-century collegiate customs and women’s student life. Its significance lies in its value as a personal and cultural artifact reflecting women's higher education experiences of the period.

The collection consists of correspondence between Henry Langford Loucks and Richard F. Pettigrew from 1914 to 1916, primarily discussing political issues related to the progressive movement in early 20th-century America. Loucks' letters to Pettigrew span from November 1914 through July 1916, while Pettigrew's responses cover a similar period. In addition to the correspondence, the collection includes undated photographs, editorials authored by Loucks, and a 1917 pamphlet titled Will the Farmer be the "Goat" Once More?, which addresses agricultural and economic concerns. The materials provide insight into the political discourse and reform efforts of the time.

The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway Company Records are significant for their detailed documentation of railroad operations and internal communications during a formative period in American transportation history. Originating from the Madison, South Dakota depot, these materials provide insight into how a major regional railway coordinated its daily activities, managed logistics, and handled communication across departments. Forms such as car reports, conductor delay records, and telegrams offer a practical view of the operational structure and administrative routines of a Class I railroad.

The collection is especially valuable for understanding the role of railroads in the economic development of South Dakota and the broader Midwest. It reflects how railway infrastructure supported small-town commerce and regional connectivity, offering a window into how railroads functioned as essential lifelines for rural communities throughout the 20th century.

In addition to its content, the collection carries significance for its preservation history. After being donated to Prairie Village in Madison, the records survived a barn fire that destroyed much of their storage environment. The effort to salvage, photocopy, and encapsulate representative samples demonstrates a successful recovery initiative and highlights the importance of archival intervention in the face of loss or deterioration.

Although the records do not constitute a comprehensive archive of the company’s transactions, they offer a rare and instructive sampling of original railroad forms and internal procedures. As such, they serve not only as a resource for transportation historians but also as a useful reference for scholars interested in archival preservation, regional history, and industrial-era communication practices.

The Donald D. Johnson Papers contain a photocopy of a narrative written around 1918 describing the experiences of John P. (Johan Peter) Johnson, a Swedish immigrant and grandfather of the donor, during the years 1871 to 1879. The text was translated by Alma N. Lundin and read at the Benton Lutheran Church in South Dakota circa 1918. The original document is not included. The collection also includes The Quill, a publication produced by students at Marion High School in Marion, South Dakota, published by Donald D. Johnson in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Adolph Johnson of Hartford, South Dakota, presumed to be his parents.

The papers document Swedish immigration to South Dakota and the preservation of family and community history through translation and commemorative publication.

This collection consists of a leather-bound scrapbook belonging to 2nd Lt. Ward B. Bates and includes 139 documents, 72 maps, 263 photographs, and 81 picture postcards. The materials document Bates’ military service during World War I, including his training, duty stations, and experiences overseas. Photographs capture Bates and fellow officers during liberty, in training, and in combat zones, with some images taken by Major Joseph Mills Hansen, Chief Historian of the A.E.F. Several photographs depict battlefield casualties.

Documents include U.S. Service Club and Officer Club membership cards, Bates’ honorable discharge from the Army National Guard, and numerous War Department orders detailing the movements of newly commissioned field artillery officers. Duty stations represented include Ft. Dodge (Iowa), Ft. Snelling (Minnesota), Camp Logan (Texas), and Camp Jackson (South Carolina). General Order No. 23 outlines instructions for camp setup and operations in Paris, France. The collection also features newspaper clippings documenting World War I events.

The scrapbook is a firsthand documentation of an American officer’s service and the administrative, logistical, and human dimensions of World War I. It provides insight into military operations, personal experiences, and the broader context of U.S. involvement in the war.

This collection consists of twelve black-and-white photographs taken between 1917 and 1922. These may have been collected by Einar Jentoft Anderson, who attended SDSU (then SDSC) for some of those years and was Editor-In-Chief of the 1922 Jack Rabbit. Many of the photographs in the collection were published in either the 1921 or 1922 Jack Rabbit.

This collection is composed of financial ledgers documenting the operations of boarding and housing facilities at South Dakota State University from 1885 to 1923, with one undated record. Materials include records for the Boarding Club, College Boarding Hall, Dormitory Club, and Cafeteria, reflecting administrative functions such as board payments, expenses, labor costs, and student refunds. The ledgers offer insight into student life, university housing, and institutional operations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Notable items include the Board Deposit Account Ledger (1888–1899), Cafeteria and Boarding Club ledger (1921–1923), and Dormitory Club Journal (1908–1915). The records are arranged in two boxes and span a transitional period in university residential services.

The ledgers provide early documentation of student housing and dining services at Dakota Agricultural College (now SDSU), illustrating economic and administrative aspects of campus life. These materials are significant for studies in higher education history, university infrastructure, and student welfare in a land-grant institution context.

Composed of miscellanies from both the era of the Forum and the time of the Ethical Culture Club. Materials from the latter era consist of the record of meetings from the years 1908-1910. Material for the latter years includes the minutes of meetings, a copy of the constitution, some miscellaneous materials and a history of the club written by William Powers.

This collection contains photographs taken by Clav Snow during his time as a student at South Dakota State College in the early 1930s. The images document campus life and student activities, including Hobo Day celebrations, military Field Day Exercises, candid gatherings, and academic settings such as a psychology class. Also featured are photographs of the SDSC Boxing Club, campus buildings and landmarks, and fellow students. The collection offers a visual record of student experiences and campus culture during that period.

This collection is composed of printed material created by the School of Agriculture at South Dakota State University and includes newspapers, programs, bulletins, and recruitment circulars. Items range in date from 1911 to 1933 and document student activities, curriculum, publicity, and institutional functions.

The Aggie News, issued in 1929 and 1930, was a quarterly newspaper produced by the State Alumni Association of the School of Agriculture. It featured news relevant to students and faculty, including organizational updates and event announcements. The collection includes partial runs only.

Recruitment circulars, dating from circa 1925 to 1930, were distributed by the principal to promote the School of Agriculture. These documents contained promotional text, program highlights, and occasionally included photographs of the campus and students.

The 1911 bulletin contains in-depth information about academic departments, courses of instruction, entrance requirements, administration, instructors, facilities, student expenses, and available scholarships. It serves as a comprehensive guide to the school’s educational offerings at that time.

Other items include commencement programs from 1926 to 1931 and 1933, Junior-Senior Banquet programs from 1914 and 1928, a senior class play program from 1929, and a circa 1912 promotional brochure titled Keepin' Mind School of Agriculture.

This collection illustrates the educational environment, student life, and outreach strategies of the School of Agriculture during the early 20th century. It reflects institutional efforts to recruit students, inform the public, and document academic milestones through print media. The items provide insight into the agricultural education practices and campus culture of South Dakota State University during this formative period.

The Robert F. Kerr Papers represent a compilation of Kerr’s personal and professional materials, primarily dating from the 1880s to the 1930s. The collection is composed predominantly of correspondence, both personal and related to Kerr’s role at South Dakota State University (then Dakota Agricultural College). Notable within this correspondence are letters documenting Kerr’s dismissal from the university, offering insight into early administrative and academic tensions at the institution.

In addition to correspondence, the collection includes class records (1885–1892), diaries (1886–1888), and writings by Kerr on a variety of topics including Brookings County history, college history, and Jewish advocacy. A unique item is Kerr’s contribution to the History of SDSC: 1881–1931, which includes marginalia in Chapter 1 authored by Kerr. Additional materials include a certificate of public instruction, scrapbook, notes, ledger, traveling papers, and maps/manuals of South Dakota. A Christmas greeting composed by Kerr and multiple drafts of personal reflections, including an autobiographical sketch, further illustrate his personal beliefs and public engagement.

The collection documents Kerr’s broad intellectual interests, educational work, and his role in shaping the early academic life at South Dakota State University. The presence of early class materials and student-related documents adds to the understanding of instructional methods during the foundational years of the institution.

Robert F. Kerr was a foundational figure in the academic development of Dakota Agricultural College. His personal files provide critical documentation of institutional history, early university governance, and student instruction practices. The correspondence surrounding his departure adds to the narrative of university leadership and faculty relations in the institution’s formative years. His historical writings on South Dakota and Brookings County contribute to regional history.

The Miltonian Literary Society Records (UA 35.6) document the activities of one of SDSU’s earliest student organizations. The collection includes the society’s constitution, secretary reports, meeting minutes, and play programs. Also included are loose papers found in a ledger dating from 1903–1931, which contain clippings, notes, membership records, reports, and a 1916 oration on Booker T. Washington.

These records provide insight into early student life, literary culture, and rhetorical education at SDSU, highlighting the role of literary societies in promoting public speaking, drama, and intellectual engagement.

This collection includes organizational records and event materials documenting the activities of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) at South Dakota State University. It features administrative ledgers and various programs that reflect the group's role in campus religious life, student leadership, and extracurricular activities. Also included are secretary’s and treasurer’s books, a handbook for members, and programs for lecture courses, plays, the YMCA Entertainment Series, student conferences, and installation banquets.

The secretary’s books include minutes of meetings, membership records, and loose materials such as correspondence and notes. The treasurer’s books document financial transactions and also contain information related to membership, gym cards, subscriptions, and lecture courses.

The materials provide valuable insight into the mission, governance, and student engagement of the Young Men’s Christian Association at South Dakota State University. They reflect the organization’s broader goals of spiritual development, social fellowship, and the promotion of Christian values in campus life.

This ledger was discovered on a table at a rummage sale in Mobridge, South Dakota. A librarian from Northern State University found it, purchased it, and gave it to Phil Mulvaney, Dean of Libraries at NSU, who forwarded the ledger to Dean Marquardt at South Dakota State University. Dean Marquardt transferred it to SDSU Archives and Special Collections in 2002.

The ledger was maintained by an unknown student at South Dakota State College during World War II. The ledger contains a detailed list of student expenses.

This collection contains a personal expense notebook kept by Clark S. Thomas, a student at South Dakota State College from 1937 to 1941. The notebook documents his daily expenses, including meals, entertainment, clothing, school supplies, and income, while in college and during his military service in the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945. Also included are receipts for tuition and fees paid between 1937 and 1941.

The Army Administration School Records document the presence and operation of military training programs at South Dakota State College during World War II. Materials include a written history of the Army Administration School with lists of officers and likely participants; survey reports detailing buildings and property provided to the Army by the college; and administrative or instructional materials such as course evaluations, correspondence, and enrollment statistics. A scrapbook offers contextual materials including newspaper clippings, photographs, and event programs. Additional documents relate to the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), such as geography course outlines, evaluation forms, and a summary of credit-transfer questionnaires. Notably, one unrelated artifact—a 1913 certificate for a purebred stallion—is also present, though its connection to the collection is unclear.

This collection provides insight into the integration of military training programs into land-grant college campuses during World War II. It highlights the role of South Dakota State College in supporting national defense efforts through infrastructure, instructional resources, and personnel. The records are valuable for understanding military-civilian collaboration in higher education, as well as the broader social and institutional impacts of wartime mobilization. The scrapbook materials also offer a unique visual and narrative record of military life and academic intersections during this period.

The Dakota Farmer Collection is composed primarily of printing plates, specialty publications, survey reports, correspondence, and photographs documenting the development, promotion, and influence of The Dakota Farmer, a prominent agricultural periodical in the northern Great Plains. The bulk of the collection consists of printing plates used in publication production, including column and cover mastheads, ornamental frames, and original artwork. These visual elements reflect the magazine’s branding and editorial identity during the early to mid-20th century. A detailed inventory of the plates is provided in the container list.

The publications within the collection were primarily produced for advertising and marketing purposes, aimed at demonstrating the magazine’s value to potential advertisers. The reports consist of surveys conducted among farmers, merchants, and bankers in North and South Dakota, assessing the magazine’s market reach, readership habits, and its role in shaping regional agricultural discourse.

A notable file documents the process of contracting a redesigned cover for The Dakota Farmer. This material includes correspondence between magazine staff and the contractor, critical evaluations of contemporary agricultural publications, and three proposed sample covers. The file offers a unique view into the publication’s design decisions, aesthetic considerations, and promotional strategies.

These materials illustrate The Dakota Farmer’s function not only as a journal of agricultural information but also as a tool for regional promotion and commercial engagement in the Dakotas.

The James K. “Tex” Lewis Papers comprise research data, field notes, correspondence, publications, photographs, and teaching materials that document Lewis’s extensive range management research and instructional activities. The bulk of the materials pertain to Projects 216, 217, 239, and 421, long-running studies on forage production, grazing systems, livestock weight monitoring, and soil moisture dynamics conducted primarily at the Cottonwood Range Field Station, but also at Antelope Range Field Station, the Badlands, and other locations. The collection includes detailed observational and statistical data (e.g., point frame data, clip plot studies, Vegometer readings, and remote sensing imagery), climatological records, experimental livestock weights, soil analyses, and related environmental assessments. Boxes also include datasets used in simulation modeling (e.g., SPUR) and course materials for RANG, AS, and WL courses taught by Lewis.

Additional documentation reflects collaboration with national and regional entities such as the American Grassland Council, Society for Range Management, Great Plains Agricultural Council, and Bureau of Land Management. Also included are aerial photographs, GIS data, proposals, and internal reports, showcasing the depth and scientific rigor of Lewis’s methodology. Later series feature writings, technical guides, and training materials used in both academic and governmental range science settings.

This collection is a resource for understanding mid- to late-20th-century range science and ecosystem monitoring in the Great Plains. James K. Lewis’s work contributed significantly to innovations in grazing system design, range condition monitoring, and statistical modeling of range-livestock interactions. His leadership in integrating remote sensing, climatological data, and ecological classification methods helped shape contemporary range management practices. The materials are particularly valuable for researchers interested in the evolution of land use planning, sustainable grazing systems, and interdisciplinary range-livestock ecology. The inclusion of raw data and simulation outputs enhances the collection’s potential for longitudinal environmental and climatic studies.

The Grace Wangberg Papers document mid-20th-century sewing instruction through an extensive collection of sewing samples and related materials, primarily from the 1940s. The collection consists of two boxes of hand-stitched fabric samples demonstrating various sewing techniques such as arrowheads, bias, buttonholes, collars, seams, plackets, and smocking. These samples appear to have been used for educational or instructional purposes, reflecting domestic sewing practices of the period. The collection also includes a small notebook of handwritten recipes by Grace Wangberg and correspondence, offering additional insight into her personal and domestic life.

The book contains 146 plats documenting property boundaries, land ownership, and leasing on the Pine Ridge Reservation from 1936 to 2005. Changes to the plats are recorded on transparency sheets placed over the original pages. Each plat in the digitized version includes three scanned images: the transparency over the original, the transparency alone, and the original alone.

At the beginning of the book is a faded page outlining the color-coded shading system used to indicate land status. This is followed by a typewritten copy of the "Order of Restoration, Pine Ridge Reservation," dated June 10, 1936, and issued by Harold L. Ickes, U.S. Secretary of the Interior (1933–1946). The order cites the Act of May 27, 1910, and the Presidential Proclamation of June 29, 1911, as its foundation and announces the restoration of undisposed surplus lands on the Pine Ridge Reservation to tribal ownership, under the authority of the Indian Reorganization Act of June 18, 1934.

The remainder of the book consists of plats of the Pine Ridge Reservation, home to the Oglala Lakota people. The reservation is located in southwestern South Dakota, encompassing Oglala and Bennett Counties and parts of Jackson County. Its boundaries were established by the Act of March 2, 1889 (25 Stat. 888).

The Edwin C. Graber Poetry Collection consists of chapbooks containing original poetry written between 1937 and 1949, with several undated works. The poems explore themes of nature, solitude, time, and spirituality through lyrical and reflective language. Titles such as Stars Are My Parade, Nature the Peerless Colorist, and Zeniths as Yet But Dimly Seen illustrate Graber’s focus on the natural world and metaphysical contemplation.

The collection documents the creative work of South Dakota poet Edwin C. Graber and preserves his limited-edition chapbooks, many of which are not widely available. It provides material for the study of mid-twentieth-century regional poetry and poetic expression rooted in the Great Plains.

The A.S. Harding Papers consist of materials compiled by A.S. Harding during his research on the history of South Dakota State University. The collection spans the years 1893 to 1949, with undated material also present, and is composed of correspondence, letters, obituaries, newspaper notes, bibliographic references, and a wide array of thematic research notes and writings.

Content includes Harding’s Master’s thesis on “Contested Elections in Great Britain,” along with multiple drafts and writings on SDSC history, political science, party allegiance, and student life. Harding drew heavily on the research of Robert F. Kerr and William H. Powers, integrating their notes into his own documentation. His collection also reflects extensive use of newspaper clippings, especially in his historical chronologies and fact-gathering on the institutional development of SDSU.

Also included is correspondence from 1893 to 1949, materials related to the Forum (1906), various handwritten and compiled notes on SDSC facts, finances, student activities, and faculty lists. Box 2 includes general notes on history and newspapers, offering insights into the university's foundational era.

Together, these papers serve as a rich resource for understanding SDSU’s institutional memory, particularly through Harding’s synthesis of primary and secondary sources, preparatory research, and historical narrative development.

This collection provides documentation of the early institutional history of South Dakota State University, including rare internal notes, correspondence, and biographical data. It is particularly useful for researchers tracing the origins of campus governance, academic evolution, and student culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The inclusion of unpublished research and working drafts enhances its importance as a record of historiographical methodology and university heritage documentation.

The William H. Powers Papers consist primarily of handwritten and draft materials authored by Powers concerning the institutional history of South Dakota State College. The collection also includes general correspondence, correspondence with entomologist J.M. Aldrich, and documents specifically focused on the founding and development of the Brookings Public Library. Additional writings by Powers reflect his historical interests and biographical sketches, including materials related to figures such as Robert F. Kerr and Pamelia Phillips Banks-Warriner, and topics like the McLouth administration and the Upheaval of 1893. A small number of items pertain to unrelated activities, including World War I-era materials from the World Disarmament Committee and a 1917 anti-conscription petition signed by faculty. The collection also contains a certificate of membership in the South Dakota Academy of Science.

These papers document William H. Powers' historical research on South Dakota State College and his civic involvement in Brookings, South Dakota. His notes and correspondence offer insight into early 20th-century library development, academic perspectives on military conscription during World War I, and efforts to preserve institutional memory. The collection is particularly valuable for understanding early initiatives related to the Brookings Public Library and faculty engagement in national and local issues.

The collection contains correspondence dating from 1940 to 1950, including letters addressed to George L. Brown in his capacity as president of South Dakota State University and other professional correspondence. A small group of materials dating from 1944 to 1946 includes letters and an image associated with commemorations of Brown’s work and long service to the institution. The records document administrative responsibilities, professional relationships, and institutional recognition during the later years of Brown’s career.

This collection documents George L. Brown’s leadership roles and continued involvement with South Dakota State University during the closing years of his professional life. The correspondence and commemorative materials offer insight into institutional governance, presidential duties, and the recognition of long-term service within a land grant university context.

This collection consists of a program from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) conference held at South Dakota State University in 1950 and invitations to retirement banquets for faculty members Ken Christianson and Clayton Knofczynski. The materials reflect professional engagement and departmental recognition of long-serving faculty.

The ASME conference program highlights SDSU’s historical involvement in national engineering discourse, while the retirement banquet invitations document faculty contributions and departmental milestones. Together, these materials offer insight into the professional culture and institutional history of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

This collection is composed of correspondence, form letters, and meeting minutes generated by the Committee on Scholarly Affairs at South Dakota State University. The records provide insight into the committee’s administrative functions and decision-making processes. The correspondence and form letters document communication between committee members and various academic units, while the minutes reflect the committee’s deliberations and actions regarding scholarly standards, academic policy, and curricular affairs.

The Committee on Scholarly Affairs shaped academic policy and maintaining scholarly standards within the university. These records are significant for understanding the governance of academic programs and the internal operations of faculty-led oversight committees. They may be useful for researchers studying institutional policy development, faculty governance, and the historical context of academic administration at SDSU.

This collection is composed of departmental histories written by various South Dakota State University faculty and staff during the years 1957 and 1958. These narratives provide overviews of departmental development, academic programs, faculty activity, and institutional contributions. The material reflects a wide range of detail and length, from comprehensive multi-part accounts to brief summaries. Departments represented include Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture, Education/Psychology, Foreign Languages, History, Pharmacy, Physics, Speech, Veterinary Science, and others. Some histories trace departmental evolution from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century, while others focus on more recent developments up to 1958 or remain undated. The Foreign Languages section is divided into three time periods—1885–1927, 1927–1950, and 1950–1958—documenting a more extensive narrative. This collection complements histories written during the university’s Centennial and serves as an early effort to preserve institutional memory from a departmental perspective.

The departmental narratives offer insights into the academic and administrative development of South Dakota State University from its early years through the mid-20th century. These histories preserve firsthand perspectives on institutional growth, teaching priorities, research initiatives, and curricular changes across multiple academic disciplines. They are significant for researchers examining the evolution of SDSU’s land-grant mission, the expansion of academic departments, and the documentation practices of mid-century higher education.

This collection contains records of the Administrative Council at South Dakota State University and its predecessor, the Council of Deans. The materials consist primarily of meeting minutes documenting administrative procedures, institutional policy decisions, student disciplinary matters, and operational issues. A small amount of correspondence is included, mainly related to student readmissions and follow-up communication on council actions. The records span 1923 to 1961 and reflect the development of the university’s internal governance structure during this period.

The collection documents administrative decision-making at SDSU during a period of organizational growth and transition. The minutes provide evidence of how academic policies, campus regulations, and student matters were handled, while the correspondence offers context for specific actions. The materials are useful for research on university governance, administrative practices, and institutional responses to academic and student issues.

The A.L. Musson Papers document a 1954 trip to Somalia, East Africa, and include materials spanning from 1950 to 1962. The collection consists of correspondence, trip preparations, photographs, slides, negatives, maps, memorabilia, notes, and reports, as well as publications and recommendations related to agricultural and technical development in Somalia. Scrapbooks compiled by Musson contain photographs with translated Italian captions, while accompanying slides and negatives offer additional visual documentation. Notes provide Musson's personal observations written while in Somalia. The correspondence primarily consists of communication with the Foreign Operations Administration, revealing logistical and diplomatic aspects of the trip. Preparatory documents include details on travel arrangements, customs, immunizations, and security clearance forms. Also included are several analytical and technical documents related to Somali agriculture, such as the “Proposed program for agricultural technical assistance for Somalia” by Musson and Worzella (1954), and a groundwater survey by Thomas P. Ahrens (1951).

The materials provide insight into mid-20th century U.S. international agricultural outreach and development efforts in Somalia. They reflect the administrative planning, environmental assessment, and cross-cultural interactions involved in foreign technical assistance programs. Musson's participation and documentation help illuminate early Cold War-era partnerships and scientific exchanges between the U.S. and East Africa, especially in agricultural policy, research, and water resource development.

This collection comprises historical sketches and narratives of individual counties in South Dakota, drawn from a variety of published and unpublished sources. Represented counties include Aurora, Bennett, Bon Homme, Brown, Brule, Buffalo, Butte, Campbell, Clark, Douglas, Faulk, Grant, Haakon, Hand, Hanson, Harding, Hughes, Lawrence, Lyman, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Perkins, Roberts, Spink, Stanley, Sully, Walworth, Yankton, and others. The material includes excerpts from local newspapers, jubilee and anniversary editions, community cookbooks, historical essays, local author contributions, and academic theses. Some counties are represented by detailed historical accounts or commemorative publications, while others are represented by brief overviews or excerpts.

Sources range from local historians, regional publications, official county histories, and collaborative historical efforts such as the American Guide Series. Several items were contributed by local civic organizations or drawn from university theses. The materials date primarily from the early to mid-20th century and reflect the cultural, social, and civic histories of the respective counties.

This collection documents the operations, governance, and dissolution of the Faculty Housing Company, Inc., which provided housing for faculty members. The records span the organization’s founding through its termination and include corporate, financial, administrative, and promotional materials.

Materials include articles of incorporation, deeds, meeting minutes (including annual and board of directors), correspondence with and letters to stockholders, leases, legal instruments, and financial statements. Architectural records such as floor plans and building documents are also present, along with brochures, posters, and information related to appliances used in housing units. The collection includes project photographs and documents pertaining to the company's dissolution. President’s bulletins, quarterly reports to the State Securities Commission, and miscellaneous items further reflect the company’s activities and compliance practices.

The collection is composed of certificates and records documenting tuition support provided to veterans enrolled at SDSC. The World War I certificates verify veterans’ eligibility for state-funded tuition under South Dakota’s Veteran’s Free Tuition Law and confirm amounts owed by the state. Each certificate provides service and residency details, discharge status, and confirmation of attendance without payment of tuition.

Also included are 575 individual records documenting tuition waivers for veterans, listing personal and service information, college enrollment and attendance data, administrative status with the Veterans Administration, and whether the student continued after benefit expiration.

This collection provides insight into South Dakota’s early efforts to support veterans’ higher education, particularly through legislative and federal initiatives like the Veteran’s Free Tuition Law and the G.I. Bill. It also serves as a record of individual veteran students at SDSC, illustrating the university’s role in postwar readjustment and the impact of government support on access to education for servicemen.

This collection contains addresses delivered by Sigurd Anderson during his service as Federal Trade Commissioner from 1957 to 1964, as well as speeches and related materials from his tenure as Governor of South Dakota between 1951 and 1955. The addresses, presented before national organizations, reflect Anderson’s involvement in federal regulatory and economic matters. Included is his inaugural address to the 33rd session of the South Dakota Legislature, which outlines his gubernatorial policies and priorities.

The collection also includes mid-20th-century speeches and reports on state and regional development issues, such as the Corps of Engineers’ contributions to South Dakota (1954), proceedings from the Missouri Basin Survey Commission (1952), and records from various conventions and public policy discussions. Appropriations records from 1951 to 1955 document South Dakota’s budgetary decisions during Anderson’s administration. A biographical piece titled Sigurd Anderson – From Immigrant Boy to Governor of South Dakota provides background on his personal and professional life.

The collection documents Sigurd Anderson’s contributions to state and federal governance, particularly in areas of economic policy, public administration, and regional development during the mid-twentieth century. It provides primary source material illustrating the relationship between South Dakota’s state leadership and national regulatory initiatives.

The collection includes clippings (1960-1965), correspondence (1929-1962), and materials from the Department of History and Political Science (1943-1957). It features Glimpses of SDSU (1957), A History: The Abbots, the Allyn's, the Stickney's and the Young's (undated), greeting cards (undated), and a Study in History (undated). It also contains manuscripts by Gertrude Stickney Young, including material on the history of South Dakota State University's history department, Christmas cards with artwork by Ada Caldwell, certificates, and other personal items.

This collection offers insights into Young's academic and civic contributions, reflecting her influence on South Dakota State University and her dedication to preserving history. Works such as Glimpses of SDSU and family histories underscore her role as a writer and historian, while correspondence and clippings highlight her professional and personal impact. The collection is a significant resource for understanding South Dakota's educational and cultural development.

This is an artificial collection composed of 40 scrapbook boxes created from newspaper clippings spanning from 1894 to 1967, with some undated material. The collection is divided into athletic and general scrapbooks, each offering a unique perspective on South Dakota State University’s evolving identity and public presence.

The athletic scrapbooks, dated 1947 to 1967, primarily focus on SDSU sports and include clippings from football, basketball, track, and other athletic programs. These scrapbooks document the development of athletic teams, significant games, student-athlete achievements, and coach appointments. They reflect both the competitive spirit and institutional pride that defined mid-20th century collegiate athletics at SDSU.

The general scrapbooks encompass a broader range of topics, including university events, student activities, agricultural research, scientific advancements, campus infrastructure, and presidential and faculty accomplishments. The scrapbooks also feature clippings from across South Dakota that illustrate the university's influence beyond campus, highlighting its role in local and statewide initiatives. Materials are arranged chronologically rather than by subject. Notable volumes include those covering the early decades of the college (1894–1896, 1906–1912) and several that feature advertising and memorabilia. One volume even includes mixed-year content as late as 1951 interfiled with earlier clippings.

This collection documents SDSU’s public image and historical evolution as represented in South Dakota newspapers. It offers researchers insight into how the university's community and achievements were portrayed over time.

These scrapbooks serve as a rich source for examining the public narrative of South Dakota State University. They are valuable for understanding trends in athletics, education, research, and administration, as well as the university's relationship with the broader South Dakota community. Because the scrapbooks capture articles that are often not available in digital newspaper databases, they are especially useful for institutional history, journalism, and regional studies.

This collection is composed exclusively of meeting minutes generated by the Scholastic Standards Committee of South Dakota State University between 1956 and 1967. The minutes document the committee’s deliberations on academic standards, policies governing student performance, and related procedural issues concerning the university’s scholastic regulations during the postwar expansion period. These records provide insights into institutional governance and academic policy development over more than a decade of university growth.

The Scholastic Standards Committee helped to shape the academic integrity of SDSU programs. The documentation found in this collection reflects mid-twentieth century shifts in university administration, faculty oversight, and curricular development. The minutes may be of particular interest to researchers examining higher education policy, faculty governance, or student academic regulations during this period.

The SDSU Advisory Council Records consist primarily of meeting packets distributed to council members. These packets include membership lists, statistical data, departmental reports and publications, resolutions from previous meetings, presentations, and leaflets summarizing the outcomes of annual meetings. Also included is a 1969 newsletter reporting the results of that year's annual meeting. These materials provide insight into the administrative and advisory functions of the Council and document its role in institutional planning and review at South Dakota State University.

This collection reflects the structure and function of advisory governance at SDSU. It documents faculty and administrative engagement in decision-making processes and offers evidence of historical departmental activities and strategic planning initiatives. The materials serve as a valuable resource for understanding institutional priorities, academic developments, and council deliberations over time.

This collection is composed of reports produced by the Curriculum Evaluation Committee at South Dakota State University. Included are a final report detailing the committee’s findings and recommendations, an institutional profile of SDSU’s doctoral program as assessed by faculty and administration, and an institutional report prepared for accreditation evaluation. These documents reflect the committee’s role in reviewing academic programs, assessing institutional effectiveness, and supporting accreditation processes.

The records provide insight into SDSU’s curriculum assessment and strategic planning processes during periods of academic review and accreditation. The inclusion of reports concerning doctoral programs and institutional self-evaluation indicates the committee’s role in shaping graduate education and meeting external standards for institutional quality and accountability. These records serve as a resource for understanding how academic priorities, faculty input, and accreditation requirements influenced the university's academic development.

This collection primarily consists of meeting minutes and several versions of the Stakota Club constitution. The minutes document roll calls, pledges, club business, and the nomination and election of officers. Also included are records of club activities, correspondence, and a list of secretary duties from 1967–1968.

These materials provide insight into the internal operations, leadership structure, and spirited activities of a co-ed student organization that promoted school spirit at South Dakota State University from the 1940s through the 1960s.

This collection documents the activities and administrative functions of the Publications Council and its oversight of student publications at South Dakota State College. The records consist primarily of meeting minutes dated 1933 to 1970, which reflect policy decisions, publication approvals, personnel recommendations, and management of The Collegian and the Jackrabbit yearbook. Additional materials include a 1965 advertising questionnaire, 1946 clippings, engraver contracts for the Jackrabbit from 1951 to 1956, financial records for The Collegian from 1957 to 1962 and for the Jackrabbit from 1951 to 1967, and an inventory of Jackrabbit materials dated 1942 to 1952.

The records provide documentation of student publication governance over nearly four decades. They offer evidence of editorial and managerial selection processes, financial and contractual arrangements, and operational oversight of major student publications. The materials support research on the history of student media, administrative structures, and publication practices at South Dakota State College.

This collection is composed of records related to the proposed removal of the College of Engineering from South Dakota State University in the early 1970s as part of a statewide higher education reorganization. The materials document the development of the South Dakota Academic Master Plan by the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education, particularly the work of Committee D, which focused on the roles of individual institutions. Contents include committee minutes, preliminary and final reports, correspondence, curriculum reports, enrollment statistics, financial data, alumni and faculty responses, and critical reviews. The collection also includes supporting documents such as legislative materials, public commentary, institutional responses, and research on engineering education in South Dakota and nationally.

These records provide insight into a pivotal moment in South Dakota higher education history, particularly the intense debate over the recommendation to consolidate SDSU’s College of Engineering with the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The collection highlights the institutional, political, and economic factors that shaped higher education policy in the state, as well as community, faculty, and legislative efforts to preserve engineering education at SDSU. It is a valuable resource for studying educational planning, university governance, and regional higher education development.

The David B. Doner collection is comprised primarily of a scrapbook documenting Doner’s career in higher education administration, alumni relations, and civic service. The scrapbook includes numerous newspaper clippings and approximately twenty certificates related to his professional and public roles. Photographic content consists of black and white photographs, including approximately eight images of South Dakota State University, eight images documenting alumni activities, thirty six personal snapshots, and a group of nine large format and thirteen smaller glossy photographs depicting public figures and events. Identified individuals represented include Governor Foss, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Senator Karl Mundt, and Christy Christesen. Additional materials include five menus or programs, two letters, one telegram, the publication Stadium for State dated circa 1959, and approximately eight photographs documenting travel and sightseeing. The collection also includes five loose black and white family photographs taken on March 19, 1949, in Iowa City, Iowa.

The collection documents David B. Doner’s professional life and public service, particularly his long tenure at South Dakota State College and South Dakota State University. It offers evidence of mid twentieth century university administration, alumni relations, civic engagement, and institutional culture, as well as visual documentation of university events, public figures, and Doner’s personal and family life. The scrapbook reflects Doner’s prominent role in the history of SDSU and his connections to state and national leaders.

The Faculty Association Records document the organizational, administrative, and advocacy activities of the South Dakota State College (later South Dakota State University) Faculty Association from its founding in 1946 until its dissolution in 1972. The collection includes constitutions and by-laws, minutes, correspondence (primarily from or to the association's acting head), and committee records.

The records reflect the association’s advisory role and its efforts to address faculty-related concerns including appointment, rank and promotion, tenure, salary studies, insurance, retirement, sabbatical leave, travel expenses, outside activities, and faculty honors. Committees played a central role in the association’s work, and while their names evolved over time, they consistently focused on faculty welfare and institutional policy input. Also included are materials related to the selection of a college president, evaluation of public higher education in South Dakota, and membership and financial records. The bulk of the collection spans the years 1952 to 1960, with some earlier and later documents included for continuity.

This collection is significant for understanding faculty governance, institutional change, and the professional concerns of academic staff during the mid-20th century at South Dakota State.

Painting by Evelyn T. Hubbard; Oil on Panel, of Old Central and Old North at South Dakota State University;

The painting is a ‘legacy’ in the archives. A handwritten note in the Greater Federation of Women’s Clubs collection from Chuck Cecil (Nov. 3, 1967) reads “Contact Mrs. Earl Washburn of Fulton, S.D. regarding painting by Mrs. Evelyn Hubbard of Old North & Old Central. They desire the painting go to the Art Center.

The Matt Cecil Papers comprise photocopied Federal Bureau of Investigation files on hundreds of twentieth-century journalists, editors, broadcasters, publishers, news organizations, and related government officials, obtained by Matthew Cecil through the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. The materials document FBI monitoring, contacts, and public relations activities during the J. Edgar Hoover era and after. Inclusive dates span 1918 to 2000, with the bulk from the 1930s to the 1970s.

The collection consists of FBI case files, correspondence, memoranda, routing slips, teletype messages, surveillance reports, news releases, interviews, essays, investigations, clippings, and magazine tearsheets. Files are organized by creator or entity and include broadcasters, columnists, reporters, writers, cartoonists, editors, publishers, federal agents and government officials, news agencies, periodicals, and film, radio, and television programs. Examples include files on figures such as Steve Allen, Eric Sevareid, Dorothy Kilgallen, I. F. Stone, Westbrook Pegler, and Ed Sullivan; editors including James Wechsler and Freda Kirchwey; publishers including William Randolph Hearst and Katharine Graham; agencies and outlets such as Associated Press, United Press International, the Chicago Tribune, the New Republic, and the Nation; and entertainment properties and programs including the FBI radio series and television series and Hearst Metrotone News. Topic files include materials on public relations practitioners, academic and political figures, and organizations such as the Society of Former Special Agents. Documentation includes standard FBI redaction sheets inserted where pages were withheld under Title 5 U.S.C. 552 and 552a. Some photocopies are light or blurred as noted by FBI reproduction statements. A subset of folders is marked water damaged; papers are dry but warped and may be brittle.

The papers provide primary evidence of FBI interactions with and assessments of the news media, publishing, and entertainment industries, with emphasis on the Bureau’s public relations strategies during the Hoover era. The records support research on government and the press, media history, and the professional activities of individual journalists and editors. Topical coverage includes Communism, McCarthyism, organized crime, kidnapping, threats, the Kennedy assassination, and smear campaigns, offering source material for studies of twentieth-century American political culture, information control, and media influence.

This collection documents the academic, intellectual, and scholarly pursuits of Dr. Charles L. Sewrey, professor of history at South Dakota State University. The materials span from 1862 to 1973 and are composed of collected publications, correspondence, manuscripts, photographs, and published articles primarily related to Sewrey's research interests in anti-Catholicism, American religious and political culture, and frontier life in Minnesota.

The collected material includes newspaper clippings, pamphlets, Socialist Party literature from the 1960s, and an 1862 volume of Aurora Leigh and Other Poems by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. Also present is a significant file on the Steven Truscott case (1966–1969), which explored the wrongful conviction of a Canadian youth. These materials were likely used in support of research and teaching.

The general materials consist of correspondence, course notes, and exams from Sewrey’s history courses, as well as miscellaneous ephemera including photographs and a map depicting the Lake District near Alexandria, Minnesota.

The manuscripts form the core of the collection and reflect Sewrey’s research into anti-Catholicism and religious controversy in American history. Notable among these is his master’s thesis, The Protestant Minister in Frontier Minnesota, written in 1946, which is represented in multiple chapters and outlines both the private and public life of religious leaders on the Minnesota frontier. Additional manuscripts examine topics such as Cold War foreign policy, sectarianism on the frontier, U.S. religion and morality, and the development of land grant colleges. A substantial portion of the manuscripts consists of an extensive, untitled book-length work covering the historical origins, controversies, and social implications of anti-Catholic thought in the United States.

The published works (1945–1973) include academic journal articles, book reviews, and newspaper opinion pieces authored by Sewrey. Prominent among them are articles in The Christian Century, Journal of Church and State, and The Unicorn. Several of these writings focus on anti-Catholic rhetoric, communism, political philosophy, and civic education. The collection also includes transcripts of two broadcasts from Sewrey’s appearances on Professor’s Forum, a program aired by the South Dakota State College radio station.

The Charles L. Sewrey Papers offer insight into the study of anti-Catholic sentiment in American history and the intersection of religion, politics, and public life on the frontier. Sewrey’s research, particularly his analysis of Protestant ministry in Minnesota and his broader writings on religious controversy, contributes to a deeper understanding of sectarian dynamics in the United States. His work engages with key themes in mid-20th-century political thought, moral philosophy, and Cold War-era ideology. In addition, the collection reflects the academic output of a historian actively involved in teaching, public scholarship, and civic discourse at a land-grant institution, making it a valuable resource for scholars exploring American religious and intellectual history, education, and the public role of the historian.

This collection includes materials related to the personal and professional lives of Elmer and Cecile Sexauer, such as postcards, diaries, scrapbooks, and essays written by Cecile during her college years. It also contains items like agricultural reports presented to Elmer, certificates from their 50th college reunion, and various family papers. Travel diaries and over 400 postcards document their trips across the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and Japan.

The collection offers valuable insight into the lives of Elmer and Cecile Sexauer, highlighting their family history, travels, and involvement in organizations like the Grain and Feed Dealers National Association. It serves as an important resource for understanding their personal experiences and social networks in the early 20th century.

The general material consists mainly of essays written by Cecile Welch Sexauer during her college career. Also included is a Christmas card list of the Sexauer's for 1971, scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, a book of Agricultural Department Reports presented to Elmer Sexauer in 1947, and certificates presented to the Sexauer's on the anniversary of their 50th college reunion. Some examples of their personal stationery, grade school papers from Elmer's youth, and a language paper of Laura Sexauer, Elmer's sister are also included.

A scrapbook of Elizabeth Anne Baker, age 9 weeks, chronicles her first visit to her grandparents’ home during Easter 1947. It was prepared by Jeannette Gagnon-Abbey for the Sexauer's.

The scrapbook was presented to Elmer Sexauer by the Grain and Feed Dealers National Association as a permanent reminder of the Forty-fourth Annual Convention held at Louisville, Kentucky October 13-15, 1940. Elmer was president of the Association at that time.
The postcards are composed of postcards from the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean that the Sexauer’s collected on their travels. There are over 400 postcards in this collection.

The Travels series consists of travel diaries hand-written by Cecile Sexauer. These diaries contain information about where the Sexauer's traveled and the customs, history and items of interest of these places. Some of the places the Sexauer's traveled to Europe, Canada, and Japan. Also included is a souvenir book of the Queen Elizabeth cruise ship.

The J. Howard Kramer Papers are composed of an unedited manuscript draft for Kramer's book A History of South Dakota State University, 1884 to 1975. The manuscript is divided into two segments: the first includes the introduction through Chapter 10, and the second includes Chapters 11 through 13. This version of the manuscript contains material that was later reduced or omitted during the editing process prior to publication. In addition to the manuscript, the collection includes biographical summaries compiled by Kramer of South Dakota State University presidents from George Lilley through Hilton M. Briggs, covering the years 1884 to 1975.

This collection provides insight into the institutional development of South Dakota State University and preserves contextual material not present in the published version of Kramer's history. The president biographies offer additional perspectives on administrative leadership and university governance during key periods of transformation and growth.

This collection consists of materials created by the Sioux Falls Summer Track Program. It includes schedules, entry forms, meeting minutes, race results, newspaper clippings, correspondence, and other records related to the program’s activities and organization.

The Vivian Volstorff Papers span from 1904 to 2002 and document the personal life, professional career, scholarly output, and civic contributions of Dr. Vivian Virginia Volstorff, who served as Dean of Women, Director of Student Activities, and professor of history at South Dakota State University. The collection reflects her influential leadership on campus and her broader involvement in academic, civic, and professional organizations.

Materials include extensive documentation from her tenure as Dean of Women, such as reports, staff meeting notes, housing committee records, and correspondence related to student affairs and women’s organizations. Personal items include biographical records, letters, greeting cards, photographs, and memorabilia. Numerous folders contain speeches and public addresses, delivered across decades on themes ranging from international relations to higher education for women, student ethics, and civic values.

The collection also includes manuscripts and published writings, notably drafts and materials related to her historical monograph Winds of Change. Additional writings include her dissertations and theses on William Charles Cole Claiborne, James Wilkinson, and Pliny the Younger. A substantial portion of the material documents her affiliations with local and national organizations such as the American Association of University Women, Mortar Board, Delta Zeta, and others.

Collected material and subject files compiled by Volstorff provide insight into her research interests in education, morality, manners, youth culture, Soviet relations, and American identity. Her research on SDSU is especially comprehensive, including histories of campus buildings, student traditions, presidential administrations, and faculty organizations, as well as early publications such as Industrial Collegian and the Alumni Association Bulletin.

This collection offers documentation of mid-20th century women’s leadership in higher education, student life and governance, and South Dakota State University history. It will be particularly useful for researchers studying women in academic administration, 20th-century higher education reform, student housing and campus activism, and the cultural history of SDSU.

The Dave Martin Papers document the organization, execution, and impact of the 1977 goodwill basketball trip to Cuba, arranged through the efforts of SDSU Sports Information Director David Martin in collaboration with Senators George McGovern and James Abourezk. The collection spans 1975 to 1977 and contains correspondence, proposals, rosters, press lists, programs, newspaper clippings, and post-trip reports that highlight the extensive planning and political considerations involved.

Photographs and slides provide visual documentation of the South Dakota State University and University of South Dakota basketball players in competition with the Cuban National Basketball Team, as well as images of cultural exchanges, ceremonies, and tours of Havana and other sites. The collection also includes depictions of American and Cuban players dining together, meetings with Cuban dignitaries such as Fidel and Raúl Castro, and the participation of Senators McGovern and Abourezk.

This collection documents a unique Cold War–era sports diplomacy initiative that used basketball as a vehicle for cultural exchange during a period of strained U.S.-Cuba relations. It illustrates the role of South Dakota institutions and leaders in international outreach and highlights the intersection of athletics, politics, and diplomacy. The photographs and correspondence provide rare firsthand evidence of citizen and cultural diplomacy efforts during the 1970s, showcasing the symbolic importance of athletic competition in fostering dialogue across political divides.

The Higher Education Faculty Association, SDSU Branch Records document the activities and governance of the South Dakota State University branch of HEFA from its formation through its eventual dissolution. The records include ballots, board of directors meeting materials, bulletins, correspondence, lobbying documents, meeting minutes, newsletters, official notices, and synopses of activities. These materials reflect the branch’s internal organization, communications, advocacy efforts, and broader role in statewide faculty representation.

These records provide insight into the efforts of faculty at SDSU to address professional concerns during a period of rising activism in higher education. They capture the branch's involvement in issues such as faculty rights, due process, communication with administrative bodies, and the push for collective bargaining. The collection also illustrates the transition from HEFA to the Council of Higher Education–NEA as the recognized representative body, making it a valuable resource for understanding faculty governance and labor relations in South Dakota's public higher education system during the 1970s.

The Jay Dirksen Papers document his tenure as Track and Field and Cross Country coach at South Dakota State University from 1969 to 1977. The collection is composed primarily of files on student-athletes coached by Dirksen, containing record sheets of training programs, correspondence, clippings, photographs, and data related to the running careers of individual athletes. These records provide detailed insight into the development, performance, and achievements of numerous SDSU runners during this period.

In addition to athlete files, the collection includes extensive materials from Dirksen’s research on cross country running, spanning from 1957 to 1981. This research encompasses training methods, physiological data, and evaluations of performance, reflecting both experimental and applied approaches to distance running. The presence of running articles compiled between 1979 and 2008 further demonstrates Dirksen’s long-term engagement with the field of cross country and track.

The collection is a resource documenting collegiate athletics at South Dakota State University during the 1960s and 1970s, as well as its contribution to the study of endurance training and cross country running. The athlete files illustrate the careers of numerous individuals who competed under Dirksen’s guidance, while the research files highlight his role in advancing training practices that influenced distance running programs at SDSU.

This collection documents the career and work of Bert Popowski as an author, hunter, and photographer, highlighting his contributions to the fields of hunting, wildlife, and conservation. The materials span from 1935 to 1978, with a significant portion consisting of articles authored by Popowski on topics ranging from big game and varmint hunting to conservation and safety. The research material series is the largest, containing published articles in various hunting and wildlife publications, including an autographed copy of The Outdoorsman (June 1947) featuring his article “Off-Season Duck Hunting.”

The collection includes a wide range of manuscripts accompanied by correspondence with publishers, records of submissions, publication status, and payments received. Manuscripts cover diverse subjects such as hunting techniques, firearms, wildlife, and conservation. Materials also relate to Popowski’s books, including illustrations by Gordon Elliott for Crow Shooting (29 ink drawings) and photograph proofs for Hunting Pronghorn Antelope (37 pages). Additional artwork features a mat board drawing of a fireplace, believed to depict Popowski’s cabin, created by C. Greenidge.

General materials include correspondence from 1942 to 1956, as well as photographs, illustrations, and a phonograph record titled Crow Calling, which features Popowski demonstrating crow calls. The photographs include black-and-white images of wildlife and hunting, negatives, and a set of 22 matted and signed photographs that won first prize at the Iowa State Fair.

Another unique feature of the collection is Popowski’s contributions to the Japanese magazine Modern Hunting (1968–1970), which includes translated articles and writings on hunting techniques. The phonograph record and international publications further illustrate Popowski’s expertise and contributions to hunting practices.

The collection provides a comprehensive record of Popowski’s career, offering insight into mid-twentieth-century hunting culture, techniques, and the conservation movement through his writings, photographs, illustrations, and artistic collaborations.

The South Dakota Social Science Association Records document the organization’s annual meetings from the late 1930s through the 1970s. The collection includes correspondence, clippings, programs, meeting minutes, treasurer’s reports, abstracts, publications, and planning materials related to the coordination of these events. Notably, materials detail speaker arrangements, conference themes, and academic presentations.

Each annual meeting was hosted at a different college or university in South Dakota and focused on timely regional and national topics in the social sciences, such as population change, state governance, education, Native American issues, natural resource development, and mental health. Folder contents typically note the meeting’s date, location, and discussion themes.

This collection documents statewide academic collaboration and for highlighting the evolving role of social sciences in addressing public policy and educational challenges in South Dakota.

The Valerian Three Irons American Indian Collection (Box 1) consists of transcripts from 144 oral history interviews conducted during the 1970s with Native American individuals from a broad range of tribal affiliations across the United States. The interviews document personal narratives, cultural perspectives, and community experiences, capturing voices from tribes including, but not limited to, the Nez Perce, Chippewa, Cherokee, Navajo, Hopi, Choctaw, Sioux, Seminole, Apache, and many others.

This collection serves as a primary source for understanding Native American life, identity, and cultural heritage during the mid-20th century. Conducted during a period of renewed Indigenous activism and cultural assertion, the interviews preserve valuable first-person testimonies on topics such as tribal history, traditions, education, activism, language, and social change. The diversity of tribal representation highlights the complexity and breadth of Native American experiences and contributes significantly to the historical record of Indigenous communities in the United States.

This appears to be a collection of commissioned works, created sometime in the 1960's or 1970's according to the organization's web site. These were most likely done in the later part of that period, as evidenced by the citation on the picture of Lincoln Hall as the "Lincoln Music Hall" the library had already shifted, so this was after 1975 or so. Given this date, the painting of Old North (razed in 1962) was very likely done from a photograph, as the others also may have been reproduced.

The Home Economics Club Records highlight the club’s role in fostering professional and social development among home economics students. They offer insight into the club’s operations, its affiliation with national organizations, and its contributions to the broader academic and community context.

The records consist of secretary books (including meeting minutes and the club constitution), scrapbooks, newsletters, handbooks, general club information, and materials from the American Home Economics Association. The secretary books date from the club's inception through 1956, documenting the organization’s activities, governance, and development.

The Oscar and Alice Simonson Papers offer an unusually detailed and continuous financial and operational record of a South Dakota family farm from 1941 to 1979, a period that spans World War II, postwar agricultural expansion, and major changes in rural economies. The Farm Family Record Books serve as a rare primary source documenting everyday economic decisions, household consumption, and farming practices in the northern Plains.

Alice Simonson’s precise and sustained recordkeeping provides insight into the role of women in farm management and the intersection of domestic and agricultural labor. Additionally, the accompanying photographs, oral history interview, and personal correspondence contextualize the lived experience of mid-20th-century farm families, enriching research in rural history, agricultural economics, women's studies, and social history.

This collection is valuable for scholars studying rural life, the evolution of federal agricultural policy, and the social fabric of family farming communities in the Midwest.

This collection consists of oral history interviews conducted as part of the South Dakota State University Department of History’s Bicentennial Oral History Project. The interviews were carried out primarily by students and document personal narratives related to life in South Dakota, with particular focus on SDSU, the Brookings area, homesteading, rural education, farming, the Great Depression, and local institutions. Most files include signed release forms, interview transcripts, and in some cases, audio recordings. A pamphlet describing the History program is also included, along with departmental program reviews and photographs. The interviews preserve valuable firsthand accounts of regional and institutional history during the 20th century.

The History Department Records offer a collection of personal stories and community memory from South Dakota residents, contributing to the documentation of the state's cultural, social, and institutional heritage. It also reflects a pedagogical commitment to engaging students in public history and primary source creation during the American Bicentennial.

This collection consists of initiation materials, a procedural manual, and meeting minutes for the Scabbard and Blade Company I, 6th Regiment. The manual outlines the society’s annual calendar, initiation procedures, officer duties, correspondence with national headquarters, and other administrative processes. The initiation documents cover nomination procedures, pledge week conduct, and organizational objectives. The minutes detail officer elections, membership rosters, financial reports, and involvement in campus events such as Hobo Day and Spring Sing. Topics also include constitutional amendments, military balls, and scholarship discussions.

These materials provide insight into the leadership training, military traditions, and campus involvement of ROTC cadets at South Dakota State across several decades. They reflect the organization's commitment to service, honor, and fellowship, and its role in shaping the student military experience.

The Jim Koch papers document the academic, athletic, and early coaching career of Jim Koch, with emphasis on his development as a wrestler and coach from his high school years through the early stages of his collegiate coaching career. Materials span approximately 1961 to 1981, with the strongest coverage dating from 1963 to 1981. The collection includes records from Koch’s time as a student athlete at Milbank High School and South Dakota State University, as well as documentation of his early coaching activities, including his work with the South Dakota State University junior varsity wrestling team and his initial years coaching at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Materials include academic records, coursework, athletic ephemera, awards, training and exercise methods, correspondence, newspapers and newspaper clippings, NCAA championship materials, photographs, tournament schedules, tuition, and alumni records.

This collection documents Jim Koch’s wrestling and coaching career and provides insight into high school and collegiate wrestling in the Midwest during the 1960s and 1970s. It illustrates the relationship between academic life and intercollegiate athletics at Milbank High School and South Dakota State University and records the early professional development of a coach who later became a prominent figure in collegiate wrestling. The materials also contribute to the historical record of wrestling programs at South Dakota State University and the University of Wisconsin Parkside.

The Home Management and Practice Cottage records are composed of photographs and historical materials documenting the Home Management program at South Dakota State College. The collection includes baby books and anecdotal materials compiled by Grace Wasson Bonnell for Dean Alice Rosenberger, which feature photographs and narratives of children who participated in the Home Management baby program. Also included is a history of the program and documentation related to the planning and development of the Family Resource and Management Center, a modern successor to the original Practice Cottage. Photographic content is housed in two boxes and spans various stages of the program’s evolution.

This collection highlights the practical training approach central to home economics education in the early to mid-20th century, illustrating how domestic science was taught through immersive, hands-on experiences. The inclusion of baby programs and residential training underscores the period's educational emphasis on applied family management skills. These records offer valuable insight into women’s education, social roles, and professional preparation in domestic sciences at a land-grant institution.

The Alfred G. Trump Papers consist of commemorative and recognition items associated with Alfred G. Trump Jr., longtime librarian and library director at South Dakota State University. The contents include a retirement scrapbook from 1972 containing correspondence, newspaper clippings, and 27 color snapshots documenting his retirement and professional relationships. Also included are programs from Trump’s retirement party, certificates of recognition from professional organizations, plaques acknowledging his support of South Dakota State University and participation in the President’s Club during the 1970s, and a certificate documenting his completion of the University of Denver’s Annual Institute of Archival Administration in 1968. The materials further include a 1981 proclamation issued by the Brookings City Commission designating Anne Trump Day, reflecting civic recognition of the Trump family. The records date primarily from 1968 to 1981 and emphasize professional service, institutional affiliation, and public acknowledgment.

These materials documents Alfred G. Trump Jr.’s professional standing within regional and national library organizations, his long service to South Dakota State University, and his engagement in archival education and institutional development. They also reflect the recognition extended by professional associations, the university administration, and the local community, offering insight into the culture of academic librarianship, professional recognition, and civic acknowledgment in the mid to late twentieth century.

This collection contains the official minutes of faculty meetings held at South Dakota State University from the institution’s early years through the 1980s. The records are largely complete, with notable gaps between Fall 1898–Spring 1903 and June 1907–March 1918. The minutes document the administrative, academic, and policy-related discussions and decisions made by the faculty. In addition to the meeting notes, some files include supplemental materials relevant to agenda topics, such as student petitions or brochures from campus events. While the tone of the records is generally formal and procedural, the documentation provides insight into the evolving structure of faculty governance, campus concerns, and institutional development over time.

These records serve as a primary source for understanding the historical governance of South Dakota State University, the role of faculty in institutional decision-making, and the administrative evolution of the university. They are particularly valuable for tracing faculty engagement, responses to student concerns, and the shifting format and purpose of faculty meetings across decades.

This collection is comprised of manuscripts, published works, and personal archives of Beryl Stewart, reflecting her contributions to literature and education. It includes newspaper clippings referencing Stewart, a book mentioning her, and multiple issues of Word Craft, a publication from Aberdeen Central High School where she served as an adviser. Her correspondence (1923-1942) contains reference letters and exchanges with publishers, offering insight into her professional relationships.

Stewart's manuscripts consist of essays, poems, and short stories, including entries for the South Dakota State Fair literature contests, some with critiques and awarded ribbons. Her published works appeared in various literary and rural publications, demonstrating her influence in both creative writing and regional literature. The scrapbooks, spanning multiple decades, preserve correspondence, publication clippings, and personal reflections, highlighting the breadth of her literary career and the reception of her work. This collection serves as a resource for understanding Stewart's impact on South Dakota's literary and educational landscape.

This collection consists of five scrapbooks compiled by Reed G. Hart, Jr., documenting his leadership of jogging clubs in Kwajalein (Marshall Islands) and Saudi Arabia from 1968 to 1983. The scrapbooks contain black-and-white and color photographs, news clippings, race scorecards, and other memorabilia chronicling the activities of the Kwajalein Jogging League and the Saudi Arabian Jogging Association. The Kwajalein volumes feature events such as the 6-mile, 10-mile, and 1,000-mile competitions, as well as a biathlon; they also highlight team and individual participation across a wide demographic. Notably, the 1973–1974 scrapbook includes coverage of Lili Ledbetter, a record-setting young runner. The Saudi Arabian scrapbook, which includes less youth participation, documents marathons and features images of both running events and local scenery. Together, these materials provide insight into expatriate athletic culture and recreational programming during the late 20th century.

This collection is composed of files from the office of David F. Pearson while serving as Vice President for Administration. Folders consist mainly of correspondence and files dealing with the F. O. Butler Foundation, the engineering controversy of the early 1970s, and material dealing with the celebration of the United States Bicentennial celebration on the campus of South Dakota State University.

The correspondence consists of letters sent and received by David F. Pearson while service was Vice President for Administration.

The F.O. Butler Foundation files are composed of material dealing with the organization of the F.O. Butler Foundation at South Dakota State University. Folders contain approved requests, Articles of Incorporation, campus enrichment, and correspondence files.

The Engineering Controversy files is composed of material dealing with the controversy surrounding the possible removal of the College of Engineering from South Dakota State University in the early 1970s. Folders contain correspondence, analysis, departmental actions, clippings, and master plan material.

The Bicentennial Celebration files is composed of material dealing with the celebration of the United States Bicentennial on the campus of South Dakota State University. Folders consist of budget and proposal material, committee minutes, calendar of events, and correspondence.

This collection is composed of administrative and planning records related to the Centennial Celebration of South Dakota State University, held in 1981. The material was generated by the Centennial Steering Committee and its sub-committees, and it documents the organization, activities, events, publications, and commemorative items produced for the centennial.

The administrative records include budgets, general correspondence, thank-you letters, departmental summaries, event planning documents, member lists, and official minutes. A significant portion of the collection is devoted to the activities of the various sub-committees, which coordinated specific events and functions such as Hobo Day, Commencement, Proclamations, Publicity, Souvenirs, the Harding Lecture, and a seminar honoring SDSU alumnus and Nobel laureate Theodore Schultz. The materials produced by these sub-committees typically include reports, plans, and internal documentation.

The collection also contains commemorative content such as a centennial poem, calendar of events, publications like The Messenger, Oakwood, and a special volume titled SDSU Centennial 1881–1981. Files of congratulatory letters from alumni, land-grant colleges, South Dakota organizations, and dignitaries highlight the broad support and recognition received during the celebration. Transcripts and audiocassettes of the commencement address, departmental histories, and a list of featured speakers offer further insight into the academic and ceremonial focus of the event.

Memorabilia housed in the collection includes paperweights, notepads, buttons, a commemorative coaster, and notarial seals, all reflecting the visual identity and branding of the centennial year.

This collection documents the centennial milestone of South Dakota State University, capturing both the institutional pride and the scale of community engagement that marked the 100th anniversary. It provides insight into university-wide planning, cross-departmental coordination, and alumni outreach, as well as commemorative traditions and symbolic gestures of recognition. The sub-committee structure reveals the breadth of campus participation and the diversity of celebratory programming, while the inclusion of published materials, congratulations, and keepsakes illustrates the external impact and cultural legacy of the centennial.

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.

The Anthony S. Dylla Papers document research efforts related to irrigation systems, soil analysis, and agricultural water management primarily in Minnesota and surrounding regions. Topics include sprinkler and rotating-boom irrigation, evapotranspiration measurements, soil moisture sensing, nitrogen inputs and leaching, and the effects of wind on irrigation uniformity. The collection highlights Dylla’s contributions to advancing knowledge in hydraulic conductivity, soil classification, and irrigation automation. Also present are publications addressing broader agricultural issues such as drought-hazard soil properties, water seepage control with bentonite, and forage water use studies in Nevada.

Dylla’s research played a key role in improving irrigation strategies in the Upper Midwest, contributing to more sustainable water use in agriculture. His work informed both regional practices and national USDA recommendations, particularly in soil-water dynamics, nitrogen management, and experimental methodology for extension professionals.

The Elvin Bjorklund Papers document the professional career and contributions of Elvin Bjorklund to the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), particularly in South Dakota and Region 5 of the United States Department of Agriculture. The collection includes reports, conference materials, historical narratives, personnel records, photographs, and training documentation. Topics covered include the history, organization, and development of the Soil Conservation Service; conservation projects in the Black Hills and Missouri River Basin; irrigation and land use initiatives; and leadership and training programs.

Notable items include a biographical profile of Elvin Bjorklund, anniversary materials from the SCS’s 25th year, documentation on the Oahe Irrigation Project, correspondence regarding Ross D. Davies, and black-and-white photographs capturing conservation personnel, farms, and field events. Also present are engineering handbooks for Region 5 and materials reflecting national and regional soil conservation programs and needs assessments.

This collection provides insight into mid-20th-century federal conservation efforts, especially within South Dakota. It offers a detailed look at USDA soil conservation strategies, training practices, and local implementation, and it preserves the legacy of key individuals like Hugh Hammond Bennett and Ross D. Davies. Researchers interested in agricultural history, public land use policy, and federal environmental programs will find these materials especially useful.

The records of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi Chapter at South Dakota State University, consist primarily of scrapbooks documenting the chapter’s activities from the mid-20th century. These scrapbooks include clippings, photographs, and memorabilia related to society events, projects, and regional journalism. Due to deterioration, the scrapbooks were dismantled for preservation purposes; most materials were photocopied, and items in good condition were retained.

A notable feature of the collection is documentation of the society’s newspaper awards program, which recognized excellence in South Dakota journalism. Honors were given for achievements in local public affairs reporting, community service, editorial writing, and front-page design. Award recipients included the Canova Herald, Hot Springs Weekly Star, Madison Daily Leader, Sioux Valley News, Mobridge Tribune, Vermillion Plain Talk, and Wessington Springs Independent.

This collection offers insight into student-led professional development, regional journalism standards, and the role of collegiate chapters in advancing the mission of the Society of Professional Journalists.

This collection is a resource for researchers interested in journalism history, press ethics, student organizations, and the regional newspaper landscape in South Dakota during the mid-20th century. It also reflects the broader mission of the Society of Professional Journalists to encourage ethical journalism and professional development.

The David J. Law Papers document media coverage and political responses to the 1985 farm crisis in South Dakota and beyond. The collection consists of correspondence, newspaper clippings, press releases, photographs, and audiovisual materials, primarily focused on legislative activity, grassroots advocacy, and public sentiment surrounding agricultural hardship during the period. Materials highlight campaigns such as “Give a Buck,” the South Dakota Legislature's rally and trip to Washington, D.C., and reactions from local and national figures. Of particular interest are annotated snapshots, taped interviews with key political leaders, and original broadcast recordings from KWAT Radio. The collection offers insight into media framing, public mobilization, and regional perspectives on a critical moment in American agricultural history.

This collection is composed of material related to the Centennial Celebration of South Dakota State University in 1981, Allen Barnes’ tenure as Dean of Arts and Sciences, and his leadership in establishing the Performing Arts Center on campus. The Centennial Celebration files (1980–1981) document numerous activities coordinated through the College of Arts and Sciences, including lectures, theatrical and musical performances, alumni engagement events, scholarship ceremonies, and historical retrospectives of academic departments from Aerospace Studies to ROTC. Correspondence, committee records, and planning documents provide insight into the university’s efforts to commemorate its 100th anniversary.

Records from Barnes’ service as Dean of Arts and Sciences (1965–1986) include speeches, planning for creative and international programming, academic initiatives, and a departmental band trip. These materials reflect his broad involvement in academic affairs, curriculum enhancement, and cross-cultural engagement.

A significant portion of the collection is devoted to the development of the SDSU Performing Arts Center (1970–1985), highlighting early conceptual work, documented needs in art, music, and theatre, and fundraising efforts. The files also include documentation of programming strategies and clippings related to the advocacy and planning for the Centennial Center.

The collection provides valuable context on institutional celebrations, academic leadership, and campus facility development at SDSU in the late 20th century.

The Allen Barnes Papers offer insight into South Dakota State University’s centennial planning and celebration, showcasing how academic leadership, alumni relations, and campus history were mobilized to shape institutional identity. Barnes’ extensive contributions as Dean demonstrate his role in advancing international education and interdisciplinary arts programming. His leadership in laying the groundwork for a dedicated Performing Arts Center underscores the importance of advocacy, vision, and collaboration in campus planning and cultural enrichment.

This collection consists of materials related to Blanche Avery Johnston, a member of the South Dakota State College Class of 1916. The materials provide insight into student life in the early 20th century and the experiences of Johnston and her classmates. Included are a booklet titled College Life at South Dakota State College, a news clipping featuring an interview with Johnston about the first Hobo Day celebration, a series of letters exchanged among members of the Class of 1916, and photographs documenting their time at the college. These items offer valuable documentation of campus traditions, student correspondence, and collegiate culture during the 1910s.

These records document the governance and organization of women’s intercollegiate athletics in South Dakota. Administrative materials include affidavits of eligibility, handbooks, certificates, correspondence, financial statements, and meeting minutes that record decision-making processes and coordination with the national Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women. Event and competition materials include programs and results for basketball, volleyball, and track and field meets, along with documentation for Region 6 tournaments and Division I championships. Photographs, primarily of women’s basketball teams and activities, provide visual documentation of athletic participation during this period. Additional files from the South Dakota Athletic and Recreation Federation of College Women contribute context for statewide athletic governance and institutional engagement.

The records document the development and administration of women’s collegiate athletics during the period surrounding the implementation of Title IX and the transition from AIAW to NCAA oversight. They provide evidence of eligibility practices, governance structures, and competitive opportunities for female student athletes in South Dakota, as well as the relationship between state, regional, and national athletic organizations.

The Marcus S. Zuber Papers consist materials documenting Zuber’s career in corn breeding research. The collection is composed primarily of scrapbooks containing newspaper clippings, certificates, photographs, news releases, and correspondence. It also includes diplomas representing Zuber’s academic achievements, a B.S. from South Dakota State College, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from Iowa State College, and an honorary degree from South Dakota State University, as well as a citation from the Army Service Forces for the Army Commendation Ribbon. These materials provide a detailed record of Zuber’s contributions to agricultural science and public recognition of his service and achievements.

The Neva Whaley Harding Papers, curated by Jane Alexander, offer a comprehensive exploration of Neva's life, family heritage, and community engagement. The collection is composed of various mediums like manuscripts, correspondence, interviews, certificates, diplomas, and audio recordings, providing insights into Neva's life from her formative years to later life stages.

This collection documents the personal, academic, and domestic history of Neva M. Whaley Harding—a South Dakota homesteader, educator, and writer—and her husband, Albert Spencer Harding. Topics covered include personal experiences, family history, genealogy, education, community involvement, and social issues. Materials include autobiographical writings, manuscript drafts, photographs, certificates, and a substantial body of correspondence with family, friends, and historians.

Of particular value are interviews recorded on open reel audiotape, which delve into Neva’s personality, philosophy, and life experiences, including reflections on events such as the Great Depression and the World Wars. Her manuscript I Recall Pioneer Days in South Dakota and associated research and editorial materials provide first-person insight into settler life and rural womanhood. The collection also includes documents from Neva and Albert’s time at South Dakota Agricultural College, illuminating aspects of college life in the early 20th century.

Through Jane Alexander's efforts, the collection serves as a testament to Neva's legacy and her influence on both her family and her broader community. It offers valuable primary source material for researchers studying women's history, South Dakota heritage, and intergenerational memory.

The Incredible Gladys Pyle Collection comprises clippings, correspondence, financial records, manuscripts, research materials, transcripts, and audiocassettes, documenting the life and contributions of Gladys Pyle, a trailblazing political figure in South Dakota.

The clippings include advertisements for the book The Incredible Gladys Pyle and news articles marking Pyle’s 96th birthday. Correspondence features letters discussing the book’s pub-lication, including corrections suggested by Pyle and a handwritten letter from Governor Sig-urd Anderson commending her political contributions. Financial records are minimal, consisting of itemized expense lists.

Two manuscripts of the book are included - one with the published title The Incredible Gladys Pyle and another under the alternative title Gladys Pyle: Always a Pioneer. Research materi-als span from 1918 to 1984, providing historical context. The collection also includes transcripts of interviews with Pyle, some accompanied by notebooks containing interview questions.

The audiocassettes document Pyle’s reflections on her career, including her tenure in Pierre, involvement in the ERA committee, and business endeavors. Additional recordings capture her 90th birthday recollections, childhood memories, and insights into Huron College. Other tapes contain travel logs from unidentified individuals recounting experiences in Taiwan, India, Sri Lanka, China, and Japan, as well as Radio Issues Forum broadcasts from 1976. A re-cording of guitar music is also included, though its significance is unclear.

This collection provides insight into Pyle’s legacy as a pioneering woman in politics, preserving firsthand accounts of her experiences and historical contributions through written and audio materials.

The collection is composed primarily of color slides and black and white photographs documenting Wayne Scott Gardner’s research and teaching in plant pathology, dating from 1952 to 1987, with the strongest coverage from the 1960s through the mid 1980s. The materials focus on virus diseases of plants, particularly wheat streak mosaic virus, along with tobacco mosaic virus, barley stripe mosaic virus, maize dwarf mosaic virus, and other viral infections affecting wheat, corn, barley, tobacco, and related crops. Visual documentation includes field symptoms, laboratory preparations, ultrastructural studies, and comparative analyses of disease development across crop varieties and environmental conditions.

In addition to plant viruses, the collection contains extensive visual records of fungal and physiological plant diseases, including rusts, powdery mildews, charcoal rot, septoria, and other pathogens. Environmental and abiotic crop injuries are well represented through slides illustrating the effects of air pollution, sulfur dioxide, ozone, smog, frost, heat, drought, wind, hail, sleet, and winter stress on agricultural crops. Teaching slide sets, seminar materials, and student research components are included, as well as scientific reprints, correspondence, and literature that document Gardner’s research activities, instructional use of electron microscopy, and contributions to plant disease education and agricultural research at South Dakota State University.

This collection documents evidence of mid twentieth century research and instruction in plant virology and plant pathology at South Dakota State University. The extensive documentation of wheat streak mosaic virus and related cereal crop diseases supports historical research into disease management, crop response to environmental stress, and the development of microscopy based plant pathology. The materials also contribute to the study of agricultural conditions in the northern Great Plains and the impact of air pollution and climate related factors on crop health.

This collection contains a variety of materials documenting historical, personal, and professional narratives. It includes biographical sketches, photographs, clippings, collected scripts, writings spanning several decades, and an M.S. thesis. A significant portion is dedicated to a World War II trip, featuring correspondence, diaries, interviews, maps, speeches, research notes, and collected materials. Other highlights include tributes, miscellaneous items, and materials related to agriculture and economic studies. The collection offers a comprehensive view of various topics and periods, emphasizing key historical events and personal experiences.

This collection consists of a tribute titled Voices in the Air: The Story of South Dakota Broadcaster Verl Thomson, authored by Virginia J. Thomson. It documents the life and career of Verl Thomson, highlighting his contributions to radio broadcasting in South Dakota. The material serves as both a memorial and biographical account, offering insights into Thomson’s professional achievements and personal legacy within the regional media landscape.

This is an artificial collection composed of miscellaneous materials generated by various committees at South Dakota State University. Contents include pamphlets, reports, correspondence, proclamations, and meeting minutes. The materials were not acquired through a systematic collecting effort but are instead compiled as they are discovered. Documents in this box span a wide range of committee functions, from academic policies and faculty engagement to student recruitment, ROTC programming, and computing issues.

Among the more substantial items are minutes from the Classification Committee (1900–1914), which addressed admissions and credit policies, and the Rules and Regulations Committee (1931), which proposed consolidating institutional policies into a single publication. The Faculty Committee on Air Transport produced a report on the impact of air travel on university operations, while the Faculty Workshop Committee considered graduation timelines and student communication skills in a 1957 meeting. Materials from the Computer Users Advisory Council include correspondence about software copyright concerns during the rise of campus computing. The Committee on Radio Broadcasting outlined strategies for effectively using radio to serve South Dakota residents.

Other committees represented include the Curriculum and Veterans Enrollment Committee, which handled tuition claims and enrollment issues for veterans; the High School Contact Committee, which produced reports on outreach strategies and recruitment; and the ROTC Inspection and Military Field Day Committee, which planned field events in coordination with academic scheduling. A pamphlet from the Civilization Committee highlights a discussion series titled Dialogues in Higher Education that reflected on intellectual life and teaching philosophies.

This collection offers insight into the internal deliberations, planning efforts, and institutional concerns of mid-20th century campus committees. It documents the evolving priorities of a land-grant university (from student services and academic procedures to external communication and community outreach) during a period of significant social, technological, and administrative transformation.

The collection consists primarily of instructional and academic materials documenting Phillip E. Plumart’s education and teaching in poultry science from 1950 to 1989. Materials include binders of course handouts, lecture notes, quizzes, problem sets, and extensive typed responses prepared for poultry management courses at Kansas State College during the early 1950s. The collection also contains Plumart’s 1952 master’s thesis in poultry science, focused on the effects of sex linked feathering on chick growth and development. Additional materials document later instructional activity, including course materials from Poultry Management AS 366 at South Dakota State University in 1988, Extension related documentation such as a County 4 H Member Record System user guide, publications of the National 4 H Poultry Development Committee, and assorted poultry publications. The materials reflect both Plumart’s graduate level training and his later role as a faculty member and Extension specialist.

This collection documents mid twentieth century poultry science education and agricultural instruction through the academic work of Phillip E. Plumart. It provides detailed evidence of poultry management curricula, instructional methods, and applied research at Kansas State College during the early 1950s, as well as the continuation of poultry education and Extension work at South Dakota State University into the late twentieth century. The inclusion of Plumart’s master’s thesis and course development materials offers insight into the evolution of poultry science, agricultural pedagogy, and Extension programming, particularly in relation to poultry production, student training, and youth agricultural organizations such as 4 H.

The Ben Reifel Papers document the career of Ben Reifel, the first Lakota Sioux to serve in the U.S. Congress, highlighting his work as a legislator, his tenure with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and his advocacy for Native American communities. The collection includes correspondence, photographs, audiovisual materials, memorabilia, and scrapbooks that provide insight into his contributions to public service and Native American affairs. As a pioneering Native American leader, Reifel played a key role in shaping policies related to education, healthcare, and economic development. This collection serves as a valuable resource for understanding his lasting impact on indigenous representation in government and South Dakota's political landscape.

The activities series contains records of Reifel's involvement with various organizations and initiatives, including the Boy Scouts of America, the National Park Service, and the Dakota Territory Citizen Certificates project. It also covers his efforts in Native American affairs, congressional trips, and public events. The awards and honors section features certificates, plaques, medals, and other recognitions Reifel received throughout his career, including awards from the Boy Scouts of America, Sioux tribes, and South Dakota State University.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs materials include correspondence, newsletters, and newspaper clippings that document Reifel's work in advancing Native American education, healthcare, and policy. The campaign series provides an in-depth look at his political career through financial records, advertisements, schedules, and materials related to the South Dakota Republican Party platforms.

Correspondence within the collection spans from Reifel's tenure with the BIA through his congressional career, featuring letters exchanged with prominent political figures such as Barry Goldwater, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, and George McGovern. The family history section contains biographical materials, educational records, military service documents, and personal writings that provide insight into his early life and career development.

Memorabilia in the collection includes campaign materials, presidential inauguration items, and personal artifacts such as a U.S. Annotated Code book with Reifel's name embossed on the cover. The photographs offer a visual record of his political career, community interactions, travels, and personal life, particularly highlighting his work in Congress and his connections with Native American communities.

The audiovisual materials consist of campaign advertisements, legislative discussions, interviews, and speeches on healthcare, agriculture, and public service. These recordings also include public appearances and fundraising events. Scrapbooks primarily contain newspaper clippings and campaign materials that document Reifel's public image and key political milestones.

Collected materials include books, periodicals, programs, and poetry reflecting Reifel's diverse interests and professional pursuits. His speeches and writings consist of transcripts and drafts of addresses given at events such as Memorial Day ceremonies and commencement exercises.

Overall, the Ben Reifel Papersprovides a comprehensive view of his contributions to public service, Native American advocacy, and South Dakota’s civic and political landscape. It serves as a valuable resource for researchers seeking to understand his legislative impact, community engagement, and personal legacy.

The Women Artists in Collaboration Records document the activities and creative work of the group, primarily through materials collected by co-founder Marilyn Richardson. The collection consists of correspondence (1986-1990), financial records (1987-1990), and project materials (1985-1989), which provide insight into the group's operations and artistic collaborations. The project records are particularly significant as they detail performance concepts and the collaborative process.

Additionally, the collection includes clippings, guest books (1987), meeting records (1986-1987), member biographies, and programs, offering context on the group's membership and events. Two scrapbooks (1985-1987, 1988) contain photographs and memorabilia, documenting performances, and the group's artistic impact. This collection highlights the group's creative contributions and organizational history.

The Non-Traditional Student Club Records consist of materials documenting the organization’s administration and activities. Included are budget records, the club constitution, executive council documents, membership lists, meeting minutes, and related correspondence.

This collection provides insight into efforts to support non-traditional and lifelong learners at South Dakota State University, reflecting the university’s commitment to educational accessibility and inclusion for diverse student populations.

This collection documents the U.S. House of Representatives service of Thomas A. Daschle from 1979 to 1986, following his election to Congress in 1978 by a margin of 110 votes after a recount. Daschle served four terms in the House and became a member of the Democratic leadership. During his tenure, he participated in significant legislative activity related to agriculture, health and human services policy, federal budgeting, and rural development. At the 1980 Democratic National Convention, Daschle received ten delegate votes for Vice President of the United States, despite not being a candidate.

The papers consist primarily of legislative and policy files, including committee hearings, bill files, drafts of legislation, reports, issue briefs, background materials, correspondence, and subject files. A substantial portion of the material relates to the House Committee on Agriculture and associated subcommittees, reflecting federal agricultural policy and farm program debates during a period of economic stress in the agricultural sector. Additional records document Medicare reimbursement systems, prospective payment policies, budget proposals, and other domestic policy matters. The collection also includes campaign files, voting record materials, and The Daschle Record, a set of twelve volumes compiled by staff summarizing Daschle’s voting record, legislative sponsorships, and committee activities from 1979 to 1986.

The collection dates approximately from 1891 to 1992, with the bulk concentrated between 1979 and 1986. Due to the overall size and scope of the broader Daschle congressional collection, three-dimensional objects such as plaques, framed items, textiles, artwork, and other materials were separated and stored appropriately.
The collection documents Thomas A. Daschle’s early congressional career and his role in shaping federal agricultural and domestic policy during the late twentieth century. The legislative files and committee materials provide primary documentation of congressional deliberation, oversight, and policy development during a period marked by agricultural crisis, federal budget restructuring, and reforms in health care financing. The inclusion of campaign materials and compiled voting records further illustrates Daschle’s political development, legislative priorities, and growing influence within House Democratic leadership. Together, these materials offer valuable insight into the legislative process and the federal response to major economic and social policy challenges of the era.

The Academic Women's Equity Coalition Collection is composed of administrative and organizational records documenting the activities and advocacy efforts of the coalition at South Dakota State University. Materials include clippings, correspondence, meeting agendas, programs, committee and dues-paying member lists, and financial records. A brief historical summary outlines the group's founding and development. Notably, the collection contains a draft complaint filed with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs regarding alleged discrimination at the university, along with the results of the subsequent investigation.

This collection provides valuable insight into grassroots advocacy for gender equity within a university setting during a period of evolving institutional accountability. It reflects the organizational structure, strategic concerns, and policy engagement of the coalition as it sought to address systemic discrimination and support academic women. The inclusion of a formal discrimination complaint and the investigation's outcome highlights the collection’s importance in documenting civil rights and equity enforcement efforts at SDSU.

The Harold W. Shunk Papers focuses on Native American history, particularly the Dakota and Lakota tribes. It includes a wide range of materials, such as newsletters, manuscripts, notebooks, and historical lists. The collection documents significant events and figures in the history of the tribes and their interactions with federal agencies.

Among the key materials are typewritten transcripts from the Wahehe Heirship hearing, personal histories related to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation, and writings about the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system. The collection also covers military posts like Fort Laramie and Fort Totten and includes detailed accounts of the Big Foot massacre at Wounded Knee and the second Battle of Wounded Knee. Prominent individuals featured in the records include Crazy Horse, Crow King, Spotted Tail, Plenty Horses, and Harold W. Shunk, providing insights into the tribal leadership, cultural practices, and the role of the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) in local governance

A significant portion of the collection focuses on the Wahehe Heirship hearing transcripts, which address inheritance rights for Wahehe's allotment, alongside personal histories of individuals connected to the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. Writings on the Dakota Indian Tiospaye system feature alongside documents pertaining to military posts such as Fort Laramie and Fort Totten. Accounts of moments such as the Big Foot massacre at Wounded Knee and the second Battle of Wounded Knee are also included.

Physical artifacts, such as mounted steer horns, provide additional cultural context.

The Non-Traditional Student Office Records (UA 26) document the development, administration, and support services of South Dakota State University's Non-Traditional Student Program from its inception in the mid-1970s. The records span a wide range of topics, including program administration, recruitment, orientation, counseling, publicity, financial aid, and continuing education efforts for adult and re-entering students. A significant portion of the collection focuses on child care—an ongoing concern for non-traditional students—with materials from the Day Care Task Force, legislative efforts, provider lists, and research on campus-based day care models. Additional contents include newsletters, handbooks, research studies, and promotional materials like "Let SDSU Open the Door for You." The collection reflects institutional efforts to attract, retain, and support adult learners through targeted services and advocacy.

These records highlight SDSU’s early recognition of and response to the unique challenges faced by non-traditional students, particularly in areas such as child care, flexible learning, and support services. The materials offer insight into the evolution of adult education policy and support infrastructure in higher education during the late 20th century.