Dancers performing in Cuba

Dancers performing in Cuba

Dancers performing in Cuba

Dancers performing in Cuba

The David Allan Evans Papers document the professional activities, literary output, and public recognition of David Allan Evans, South Dakota’s first Poet Laureate and a prominent writer-educator at South Dakota State University. The collection spans the late 20th and early 21st centuries and reflects Evans’s influential role in shaping the state’s literary culture and advancing public appreciation of poetry and creative writing.

Included are materials related to lectures, workshops, conferences, literary festivals, and Writers-in-the-Schools programs, as well as his service as Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2015. Newspaper clippings and press coverage highlight Evans’s public appearances, readings, residencies, publications, and achievements. These are arranged chronologically by year, with article titles noted in the folder descriptions.

The collection contains reviews and critical responses to Evans’s poetry and prose, published in newspapers, literary magazines, and peer-reviewed journals. Books authored or co-authored by Evans are also present, accompanied by published copies, promotional materials, and related correspondence. His literary works appear in numerous anthologies, textbooks, and periodicals, with folder descriptions noting title and page references.

A significant portion of the papers focuses on Evans’s Fulbright Scholar appointments and literary teaching trips to China. These include correspondence, diaries, research notes, and writings developed during or inspired by his time abroad, illustrating his role as a cultural ambassador and his engagement in international literary exchange.

Additional materials reflect Evans’s broader intellectual interests and include collected items such as poetry books, journals, business cards, and documents related to Sioux City, Iowa, South Dakota State University, and the National Federation of State Poetry Societies. Personal and professional correspondence includes acceptance letters, fan mail, letters from colleagues and friends, and letters of recommendation. Biographical files document Evans’s college years, honors and awards, alumni reunions, and the establishment of a creative writing scholarship in his name at SDSU.

The collection also includes manuscripts of poems, essays, short stories, and other writings by Evans, many annotated and in multiple versions. These materials reveal a distinct poetic voice rooted in themes of athleticism, rural life, and Midwestern identity. His correspondence and teaching files demonstrate his contributions as a mentor to emerging writers and an advocate for literary arts in both academic and public settings.

Together, the David Allan Evans Papers offer valuable insight into regional literature, poetic form and voice, creative writing pedagogy, and the evolving role of the poet in public life. The collection serves as a rich resource for researchers studying American literature, Midwestern cultural history, and literary engagement across local and international communities.

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.

Steamer ship by the dock at the port in Tokyo Bay at Yokahama, Japan, there are people waiting to board the ship on the dock, a small boat is in the water in the foreground, the ship is possibly a steamer ship called the Admiral from a line of ships owned and operated by the United States government; written in pencil on the back: Yokohama 1924

N.E. Hansen standing by a small table in a room with horticultural displays of flowers and fruits

Dr. N.E. Hansen and an another man are in a greenhouse full of flowers on the campus of South Dakota State College

Dr. N.E. Hansen and an unknown man are in a greenhouse full of flowers on the campus of South Dakota State College

Dr. N.E. Hansen and an unknown man are in a greenhouse full of flowers on the campus of South Dakota State College

Dr. N.E. Hansen and an another man are in a greenhouse full of flowers on the campus of South Dakota State College

Dr. N.E. Hansen in a suit and tie and wearing a hat while he looks at bushes

Rare portrait of Dr. N.E. Hansen without a beard, he is wearing an overcoat and a hat and seated in a chair

This collection documents the administration, outreach, and participation of the Eastern South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair (ESDSEF) and its affiliation with the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF), reflecting South Dakota State University’s longstanding commitment to youth engagement in STEM education. Spanning several decades, the records were created by fair administrators, faculty sponsors, student participants, and affiliated national organizations. Together, they provide detailed evidence of the organization, planning, and execution of science fairs at local, regional, and international levels.

Materials include programs, brochures, teacher and student information packets, judging guidelines, award documentation, and budget and planning files. Artifacts such as trophies, medals, commemorative pins, and memorabilia are present, along with photographs and scrapbook materials documenting event activities. Administrative correspondence, expense reports, and logistical planning records illustrate the operational scope of hosting large-scale academic competitions.

The collection also contains extensive ISEF documentation, including rule books, directories of affiliated fairs, finalist materials, travel instructions, press information, and a near-complete run of published ISEF abstract books from the 26th through the 54th fairs. These volumes preserve summaries of student research from across the United States and abroad. While references to Sigma Xi appear in scattered notes and proposals, its role is limited within the records. Overall, the collection highlights SDSU’s leadership in regional STEM outreach, its connection to national science education networks, and the evolving landscape of student scientific research over time.

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.

El Capitolio, the National Capitol Building in Havana, Cuba

Eleanor McGovern in sunglasses smiling with a man in Cuba

Eleanor McGovern wearing sunglasses in Cuba

The Elizabeth Cook-Lynn Papers document the life and work of Dakota scholar, writer, editor, and educator Elizabeth Cook-Lynn. The collection includes biographical material, extensive correspondence, and a wide range of her literary and scholarly output. Her writings include published and unpublished articles, essays, editorials, poetry, novels, novellas, and book reviews, many of which address Native identity, tribal sovereignty, and the decolonization of education and literature.

The collection also contains teaching files, course materials, and academic papers from her tenure at institutions such as Arizona State University and Eastern Washington University, reflecting her efforts to establish and expand Native American Studies as an academic discipline. Research files and documentation from her participation in conferences, symposia, and public speaking engagements highlight her role as a national voice in Indigenous intellectual and political discourse.

A significant portion of the collection relates to Wicazo Sa Review: A Journal of Native Studies, which Cook-Lynn co-founded and edited. These records include editorial correspondence, manuscript submissions, issue drafts, grant applications, and administrative documents that trace the development of this influential scholarly publication.

Supplementary materials cover a broad range of Native American issues and topics, including legal, cultural, and educational matters, and include clippings, reports, advocacy literature, and publications.

The Elizabeth Cook-Lynn Papers are a vital resource for researchers studying Native American literature, tribal sovereignty, and the evolution of Indigenous scholarship in the United States.

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 grandparent's 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.

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The E.S. McFadden Papers document the career, research, and legacy of Edgar Sharp McFadden (1891–1956), a pioneering American plant breeder best known for developing Hope Wheat, the first variety resistant to stem rust. McFadden’s work in genetics and agronomy spanned South Dakota and Texas, and he contributed significantly to agricultural science through federal and academic research programs, including with the USDA and Texas A&M.

The collection spans McFadden’s professional life and includes research notebooks, writings, correspondence, photographs, honors, and biographical materials. Of particular note are research materials related to wheat breeding and rust resistance, including field data, experimental notes, and correspondence concerning Hope Wheat. Writings include published and unpublished scientific and popular articles, speeches, and autobiographical pieces. Also included are awards and certificates from scientific societies, clippings about McFadden’s achievements, and documentation of public recognition such as “McFadden Appreciation Day.” The papers provide insight into 20th-century advancements in crop improvement and agricultural science in the United States.

This collection documents the establishment, development, and ongoing activities of the Ethel Austin Martin Program in Human Nutrition at South Dakota State University. It includes records related to the Endowed Chair, Distinguished Lectureship, Visiting Professorship, and collected publications, as well as a substantial body of personal papers and professional materials created or compiled by Dr. Ethel Austin Martin.

The Endowed Chair records primarily relate to the creation and development of the E.A. Martin Program and its associated academic positions. These files include financial documents, progress reports, human nutrition committee records, and the formal memorandum of agreement with Dr. Martin. Also present are materials pertaining to the Basic Course in Nutrition, including syllabi, textbook selections, course materials, and research. A significant portion of these records consists of correspondence, working papers, and statements authored by Dr. Martin and university staff as they shaped the chair's role in advancing nutrition education and research.

The Distinguished Lecturer records reflect the administration of annual lectureships hosted on campus, supported by Martin’s endowment. These events featured nationally recognized experts in nutrition, each selected for their excellence in a particular area of the field. The files include materials related to lecture planning, speaker selection, publicity, programs, announcements, audio recordings, and documentation of campus and community engagement. Dr. Martin was actively involved in shaping the lecture series, and her correspondence and notes provide insight into the intellectual goals and collaborative spirit of the program.

The Visiting Professorship component represents a unique multidisciplinary initiative that brought leading scholars to SDSU for short-term residencies. Visiting professors provided lectures, led discussions, and worked closely with faculty and students across various departments. These records include program development files, planning committee materials, evaluations, publicity, audio and video recordings, and correspondence with and about visiting scholars. The structure of this program, supported by a rotating task force of faculty and the Human Nutrition Fund Committee, encouraged cross-disciplinary inquiry and contributed to broadening the scope of human nutrition research and education on campus.

The collected publications series contains journal articles, books, newsletters, and proceedings related to nutrition. Most of these materials were gathered by Dr. Martin or the program in support of the Basic Course in Nutrition. They provide context for evolving conversations in the field and reflect the intellectual foundation of the program’s educational goals.

This collection is a resource for understanding the development of nutrition as a multidisciplinary academic and applied field at South Dakota State University. Dr. Ethel Austin Martin’s visionary leadership and generous endowment supported decades of scholarly engagement, educational innovation, and public outreach in human nutrition. The records document the collaborative processes behind major academic programs and events, and preserve the legacy of a pioneering nutritionist who profoundly influenced the direction of nutrition education and research in South Dakota and beyond.

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