Finding Aid for the Hilton M. Briggs Papers
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Collection Summary
Identifier
UA 53.37
Title
Hilton M. Briggs Papers
Dates
1935-2001
Physical Description
14.84 linear feet [11 record boxes, 1 half document case, 2 oversize boxes]
Name of Creator(s)
Briggs, Hilton M. (Hilton Marshall), 1913-2001
Language
English
Repository
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library (SBL) Room 241, Box 2115, 1300 North Campus Drive, Brookings, SD 57007, Phone: 605-688-5094, Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu
Access Note
Open. This material does not circulate and may only be used in-house.
Preferred Citation
Name of item, UA 53.37, box #, folder #, Hilton M. Briggs Papers, South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Abstract
Hilton M. Briggs was president at South Dakota State University from 1958 to 1975. The collection is composed of material related to his retirement, recognition, and his life after retirement. Included are biographical materials, clippings, correspondence, writings, photographs, and scrapbooks.
Biographical Note
In 1958, Hilton M. Briggs was appointed president at South Dakota State. He served in that capacity for 17 years, the longest tenure in the presidential office. He received his B.S. from Iowa State University, M.S. from North Dakota State University, and Ph.D. from Cornell University. He held positions as professor and associate dean of agriculture at Oklahoma State University and dean of agriculture at the University of Wyoming. During his tenure, the South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts became South Dakota State University, divisions became colleges, and the campus grew to match its increasing status. The number of departments grew, enrollment increased by more than half, and the number of buildings on campus almost doubled. Briggs was also instrumental in beginning the social fraternities and sororities on campus and initiating women's intercollegiate athletics. He also guided the campus through the controversy and activism of the 1960s and 1970s. The Faculty Association became the Academic Senate with decision-making capacity under Briggs’ leadership, and the Student Association also took on more responsibility. Upon his retirement in 1975, he was designated a Distinguished Professor of Agriculture, taught for two years, and was appointed director of International Programs. He was involved in the development of the Botswana Africa Project, a United States Agency for International Development program for teaching, research, and agricultural extension in that country.
CONTENT and ARRANGEMENT
Contents Note
This collection is composed of the personal papers of Hilton M. Briggs. It is composed of material related to his retirement as president of South Dakota State University and his life after his retirement. It also contains recognition materials in the form of plaques, certificates, and trophies. Included are many files related to his induction to the Saddle and Sirloin Club portrait collection. Also included are biographical materials, clippings, correspondence, writings, photographs, and scrapbooks.
ACCESS
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.
Physical Access
South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.
RELATED MATERIALS
Related Archival Materials
UA 1, President’s Office Records, South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Online Content
SDSU President’s Collection, Digital Library of South Dakota
Publications
Modern Breeds of Livestock, Hilton M. Briggs, New York, Macmillan, 1949. Archives: SF105.B68m
Seventeen years: a report from South Dakota State University, South Dakota State University, 1975. Archives: S537.S6 S6095
Subject Headings
- Briggs, Hilton M. (Hilton Marshall), 1913-2001
Copyright Notice
Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). Requests to publish should be arranged with the SDSU Archives and Special Collections.