Located on the southeast side of campus in Jackrabbit Grove, this hall houses 256 residents. Ben Reifel Hall is available to first year students, with double rooms sized at 16 x 11 feet.
Building Description
Each floor is complete with elevators, full-sized kitchens, a lounge with a fireplace, TV and cable. Each room is air conditioned, most with their own thermostat letting students control their own air temperature. There is a lower level with a lounge, a TV, pool table and foosball for residents to use.
The building is named after Ben Reifel, who was the first Native American to serve in Congress, representing the First District from 1961 to 1971. Ben Reifel was born in a log cabin on the Rosebud Indian Reservation on Sept. 19, 1906. He was born to a Lakota mother (Lucy Burning Breast) and a father of German descent (William Reifel). As a college student Reifel was active in campus life. He was elected president of the Students' Association and in 1932 earned degrees in chemistry and dairy science. Ben Reifel (1906-1990), also known as Lone Feather, started his distinguished career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs after graduation. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, Reifel earned a master's degree in 1949 and a Ph.D. in 1952 in public administration from Harvard. Later, he was named the first Native American superintendent of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1960, Reifel served on the Agriculture and Appropriations committees. His work influenced the creation of the Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Data Center and the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities. He also was an advocate for better schools and health-care facilities on reservations.
Video Tour
Physical Address:
1351 8th St.Brookings, SD 57007
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