President's Office Records

Finding Aid for the President's Office Records

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Collection Summary

IDENTIFIER

UA 1

Title

President’s Office Records

Creator

South Dakota State University. Office of the President

Dates

1887-2022

Extent

34.14 [25 record boxes, 1 half-record box, 3 document cases, 1 shoebox, 2 oversize flat boxes, 2 framed items]

Language

English

Access Note

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. This material does not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item, UA 1, box #, folder #, President’s Office Records, South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

The Office of the President is responsible for regulating and overseeing the general administration of the university. The collection is composed of administrative material generated and received by the Office of the President of South Dakota State University. Included are files related to the history of the university, anniversary celebrations, campus buildings, the engineering controversy of the 1970s, and Resolution 21.

The Office of the President is responsible for regulating and overseeing the general administration of the university. Along with various administrative duties, each year the president prepares an annual report, which is delivered to the Board of Regents. This report generally includes information about past and present university affairs and policies, as well as future plans and suggestions.

Originally, the president performed most of the university's administrative duties. Presidents often were members of the faculty as well. As administrative functions became more complex, the duties of the president were spread among other administrators. The Board of Regents appoints the president of the university.

George Lilley, 1884-1886

George Lilley became the first president of Dakota Agricultural College in 1884 when he was only 30 years old. At this time the college building was only partially complete and seeing how he would not be able to open the college without a building, Lilley gave a third of his $1,500 salary to finish three rooms of the building. On September 23, 1884, 35 students had enrolled in the preparatory course of the college. Over the next two years, the enrollment grew to 252. The first person to receive their degree from South Dakota State graduated on June 24, 1886. The regents felt Lilley was not able to maintain discipline among the students. They had also learned that Lilley had overstated his qualifications. He had not received a college degree and his title of “doctor” was honorary. Lilley submitted his resignation in 1886.

Lewis McLouth, 1887-1896

Lewis McLouth became president of the Dakota Agricultural College in 1887. Prior to coming to South Dakota State, he was professor of physics at Michigan State University. During McLouth’s tenure, the School of Pharmacy was established and the focus of the college began to shift to college courses in industrial and vocational fields. Numerous courses were added and new faculty were hired to meet the growing needs of the fledging college. Several buildings were built, including the North building, South building, shop building, and barns and farm buildings. McLouth also privately built Woodbine Cottage, which was later bought by the college and has housed almost all of the presidents. The Dakota Agricultural College became the South Dakota Agricultural College after South Dakota was recognized as a state in 1889. McLouth’s presidency was marred by political upheaval and student unrest. The regents asked for his resignation in July 1894, however, McLouth did not leave until 1896.

John W. Heston, 1986-1903

John Heston came to South Dakota State in 1896. Previously, he was the president of Washington State College. Under Heston’s guidance, the college saw an increase in enrollment and the construction of new campus buildings such as Solberg Hall. He also introduced electives, majors and minors, and specialized Bachelor's degrees including the Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Agriculture, and Bachelor of Engineering. Heston oversaw the formation of new departments such as music and foreign languages in the liberal arts, and mechanical, agricultural and electrical divisions in engineering. He also emphasized the necessity for teaching sciences such as biology, chemistry, and physics in the study of agriculture. Heston had an uneasy relationship with the regents. In 1903, the regents dismissed him as president of South Dakota State, and installed him as the president of Dakota State University in 1905.

James Chalmers, 1903-1903

James Chalmers became president of South Dakota State in 1903. He was an effective leader with an extensive background as a minister, teacher, and administrator. Chalmers introduced the new Education Department into the curriculum. Well-liked by the faculty and students, he was a strong advocate for the college and an adept speaker. During his tenure there was an effort to move the study of engineering from South Dakota State to the University of South Dakota. Chalmers successfully fought this attempt. The Board of Regents offered Chalmers the presidency of the University of South Dakota. After initially accepting the appointment, Chalmers had resigned from being president of USD before he started.

Robert L. Slagle, 1906-1914

In 1906, Robert L. Slagle left his position as president of the South Dakota School of Mines to become president of South Dakota Agricultural College. He had received a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and had previously been on the faculty at South Dakota State. Slagle oversaw the increase in standards for admission, the reorganization of agricultural courses, and the establishment of summer school and correspondence courses. He also started the School of Agriculture, which offered high school courses during the winter months, making secondary education a possibility for a large number of rural students. During his presidency, the college changed its name to South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts, which reflected not only the general coursework and agricultural classes taught, but also the study of engineering. In 1914, Slagle moved on to become president at the University of South Dakota.

Ellwood C. Perisho, 1914-1918

Ellwood C. Perisho was named president of South Dakota State in 1914. He had most recently been dean of arts and sciences at the University of South Dakota. Perisho received his degrees from Earlham College and the University of Chicago. During his term as president, South Dakota State became accredited by the North Central Association and started the Cooperative Extension Service. New subjects were introduced and many new buildings were built, including the stock judging pavilion, a hog plant, a poultry plant, Wecota Hall, and the Administration Building. World War I had affected the work of the college. Between 1917 and 1918, military trainees were housed on campus and given instruction for skills needed in the armed forces. Special courses in agriculture, engineering, and home economics were introduced as part of the war effort. Perisho took a leave of absence in 1918 and resigned in 1919.

Willis E. Johnson, 1919-1923

Willis E. Johnson came to South Dakota State College as president in 1919. He received degrees from St. Cloud State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, and the University of Minnesota. Prior to coming to South Dakota State he was president of Northern State University. Johnson was the first president to enjoy a formal inauguration. During his term, there were enormous problems with the college infrastructure and many financial difficulties resulting from World War I. Johnson was in office when many extra-curricular activities began. During his term, many student organizations were formally recognized, and intercollegiate athletics became a regular part of college life. He succeeded in opening the student bookstore and placing the post office on campus. The Printing Department also began during his term. One of his most important contributions was the creation of five divisions of study, which were precursors of today's academic colleges. The Board of Regents recognized Johnson for these contributions by naming him South Dakota State’s first president emeritus in 1923.

Charles W. Pugsley, 1923-1940

Charles William Pugsley was named president of South Dakota State in 1923 after holding the position of assistant secretary of the United States Department Agriculture under Henry C. Wallace during the Harding administration. He received his education from the University of Nebraska, where he eventually became head of the agronomy and farm management department. He reorganized the administration into a system of deans with separate administration for financial affairs. During his term, the nursing program was established, as was the Civil Aeronautics program. In addition, enrollment went from 698 to 1,376. Several buildings were constructed including the Coughlin Campanile, the Coolidge Sylvan Theatre, and the Lincoln Memorial Library, which was dedicated in 1927 by President Calvin Coolidge. Pugsley also broke ground for the first student union, which eventually was named after him. Upon his retirement in 1940, Pugsley became president emeritus.

Lyman E. Jackson, 1940-1946

Lyman Jackson became president of South Dakota State in 1940. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Wisconsin, and Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Jackson was junior dean of agriculture at the Ohio State University prior to arriving at South Dakota State. He became president just before the United States entered World War II. The impact of the war on the college was great, with decreased enrollment, the use of college buildings as barracks, and rationing. During his tenure, Jackson established the Junior College Division. This plan separated the freshman and sophomore students from the upper-class students, instituted student advising, and established rules and regulations for overseeing the student body. Jackson also made changes to the School of Agriculture to help it run more efficiently. One of the most daunting tasks during his term was in preparing the college for the return of the veterans and the many students who had left to aid in the war efforts, and administering the GI Bill. He resigned his position as president in 1946 to become dean of agriculture at Pennsylvania State University.

George Lincoln Brown, 1940

From July through September 1940, George L. Brown was the official President of South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts. He received his B.S. and M.S. from the University of Missouri and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago. He came to South Dakota State in 1897 as a professor in mathematics and during his time here he held the positions of vice president and dean of faculty. Through the years, he had often been named acting president during presidential searches, but he had never been officially named president. This honor was given to him until another president could be named. The Board of Regents named him president emeritus in 1944.

Fred H. Leinbach, 1947-1951

Fred Leinbach became president of South Dakota State in 1947. He was previously dean of agriculture and head of animal husbandry at the University of Maryland. His presidency was marked by a controversy in the reorganization of the Division of Agriculture, which led to Leinbach's eventual resignation. Many buildings were constructed during his tenure, including several agricultural buildings, the Men's dormitory, and Printing and Rural Journalism Building. Public power from the Missouri River Basin Project became available during this time, which helped in running the campus. The Faculty Association was formed, giving faculty a voice in decisions involving their work. The graduate programs continued to develop, and enrollment increased considerably in both graduate and undergraduate programs. His tenure also saw the first hiring of a vice president to manage the increasing enrollment. Another highlight of Leinbach's term was the acquisition of the Harvey Dunn paintings, which now form a core collection for the South Dakota Art Museum. Leinbach resigned in 1951.

Harold M. Crothers, 1946, 1951, 1957-1958

Harold Crothers, class of 1910 and longtime engineering professor, was named acting president on three separate occasions, in 1947, 1951 and 1957 to 1958. He was never officially named president. He received his M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Crothers became professor and head of electrical engineering in 1923. He served as dean of the Division of Engineering from 1925 through 1957 when he attained dean emeritus status.

John W. Headley, 1952-1957

John Headley was appointed to the presidency in 1951. He had most recently been the president of St. Cloud State University. He received his B.S. from Dakota State University and M.A. and Ph.D. from Colorado State University. During Headley's term, new Ph.D. programs began for animal science and plant science, and the Division of Nursing was established. Tenure policy was created for faculty, along with a sabbatical leave program. Enrollment continued to grow, and new dormitories were built including Harding Hall, which was used as a residence hall at that time. Headley also adopted a plan for an art museum, which became a reality during the presidency of Hilton M. Briggs. While still president of South Dakota State, Headley died in a tragic hunting accident in 1957.

Hilton M. Briggs, 1958-1975

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.

Sherwood O. Berg, 1975-1984

Sherwood Berg took office in 1975 and became the first graduate of South Dakota State to be named president. After returning from service in World War II, he received his B.S. in agricultural economics in 1947 from South Dakota State. He earned his M.S. degree at Cornell University in 1948 and his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1951. He came to SDSU after serving as the director of the Indonesia Project of the Midwest University Consortium for International Affairs. Before that, he held positions as the dean of the Institute of Agriculture, and professor and head of the Department of Agricultural Economics at the University of Minnesota. During Berg’s tenure, South Dakota State saw the internationalization of the campus. Collaborative programs were established in Syria, Botswana, Senegal, and Mauritania, and the number of international students on campus grew. In addition, he oversaw the groundwork for the first endowed chair for the university, the Ethel Austin Martin-Edward Moss Martin Chair in Human Nutrition. Berg retired from the presidency in 1984 and became president emeritus.

H. Ray Hoops, 1984-1985

H. Ray Hoops accepted the position as president of South Dakota State University in 1984. He received his B.S. in speech correction from Eastern Illinois and M.S. and Ph.D. in audiology and speech science from the Purdue University. Before coming to SDSU, Hoops was the vice president for academic affairs at North Dakota State University. Soon after his arrival, he encountered difficulties with the Board of Regents. He became entangled in a situation that involved a faculty member testifying before the South Dakota State Senate. Hoops claimed he was told to fire the individual and he refused. Hoops resigned in 1985.

Robert T. Wagner, 1985-1997

Robert Wagner became the university president in 1985. He earned a doctorate from South Dakota State University, making him the second alumnus to become president of this institution. He held a position on the faculty in sociology and moved into the administration at South Dakota State. Despite constant budget problems, the campus expanded and technology became a major factor in the university. The College of Education and Counseling was established, and many buildings were built including Meadows North and Meadows South halls, the Animal Disease Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory. He retired as president in 1997 and was awarded president emeritus status by the Board of Regents.

Peggy Gordon (Elliott) Miller, 1998-2006

In 1998, Peggy Gordon (Elliott) Miller became the 18th President of South Dakota State University and the first woman to lead this institution. She came to South Dakota State from Washington, D.C. where she was a senior fellow and acting vice-president for Academic and International Programs at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities. Prior to that she was president of the University of Akron from 1992 to 1996. She received her Ph.D. from Indiana University and served as the school’s chancellor for its Northwest campus from 1984 to 1992. During her tenure as president of SDSU, the university celebrated its 125th anniversary, and began the Jackrabbit Guarantee scholarship, new Ph. D and research programs, the Center of Excellence, and the Vanguard Center. New buildings were constructed, including the Performing Arts Center and Caldwell Hall. Plans for a wellness center, an equestrian practice facility, and the research park were underway. It was also at this time the university began the process of moving to NCAA Division I athletics. She stepped down as president of SDSU in 2006.

David L. Chicoine, 2007-2016

David L. Chicoine, Ph.D. was named the 19th president of South Dakota State University in 2007 and was the third alumnus to hold that position. He received his B.S. in agribusiness in 1969 from SDSU, M.S. in agricultural economics in 1971 from University of Delaware, M.A. in economics in 1978 from Western Illinois University, and Ph.D. in agricultural economics in 1979 from the University of Illinois. Prior to becoming president of SDSU, Chicoine held several positions in the University of Illinois system, including Extension economist and specialist; head of the Department of Agricultural Economics; dean of the College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; and Vice President for Technology and Economic Development. During his presidency, SDSU heavily invested in upgrading and building new academic buildings, residence halls, and athletic facilities. Chicoine also oversaw SDSU’s move from NCAA Division II to Division I athletics. The university’s emphasis on research grew during his term as well. Chicoine left his position as president in 2016, and is now on the faculty in SDSU’s Department of Economics.

Barry H. Dunn, 2016-

Barry Dunn became the fourth alumnus to be president of South Dakota State University in 2016. Dunn received his B.S degree in biology in 1975, M.S. in animal science in 1977, and Ph.D. in animal science in 2000 from South Dakota State University. Between 1979 and 1996 he ran his family’s ranch near Mission, S.D. From 1997 to 2004, he was an Extension livestock specialist and an assistant professor at South Dakota State in the Department of Animal and Range Science. In 2004, he joined the faculty at Texas A&M University-Kingsville as executive director of the King Ranch Institute for Range Management. In 2010, Dunn returned to SDSU to become the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences. In addition, he was also the director of SDSU Extension and a professor of animal science. Dunn’s inauguration will be held Thursday, September 29 at 3 p.m. at Coolidge Sylvan Theatre.

The bulk of the material is composed of administrative material generated and received by the Office of the President of South Dakota State University.

Folders consists of correspondence, budget material, reports, committee minutes, accreditation material, master and strategic planning files, South Dakota Board of Regents files, material related to Resolution 21, the college name change, and the engineering controversy of the 1970s. Also includes are files related to student organizations, campus buildings, statistics, anniversary celebrations, university history, and photographs.

No material has been found for the following university presidents: James Chalmers, Robert L. Slagle, George Lincoln Brown, Harold M. Crothers, and H. Ray Hoops.

History of S.D.S.C., South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts
Brookings, S. D., South Dakota State College, 1913-1930?
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 H47

A recent history of South Dakota State University; beginning July 1, 1975, by J. Howard Kramer
[S.l.: s.n., 1977?]
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 K7 1977

Report of the president of the State Agricultural College of South Dakota, Brookings, S. D., Agriculture College of South Dakota
The College, 1896-19--?
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 A455

SDSU president's faculty committee: two-year report, South Dakota State University
Brookings, S. D., South Dakota State University, Office of the President, 2000.
Call number: Archives: 537.S6 S60166

Summer session report, South Dakota State University
Brookings, S. D., South Dakota State University, 1964-.
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 A4

The president of South Dakota State University, Brookings reports to the people of South Dakota, South Dakota State University
Brookings, S. D., South Dakota State University, 19-- - 1965.
Call number: Archives: S537 S6 A29

The president's annual report, South Dakota State University
Brookings, S. D., South Dakota State University, 1966-.
Call number: Archives: S537.S6 A29

• Berg, Sherwood O.
• Briggs, Hilton M. (Marshall)
• Chicoine, David L.
• College presidents
• College presidents -- Inauguration
• College presidents -- Speeches, addresses, etc.
• Colleges and universities
• Dunn, Barry H.
• Engineering controversy
• Headley, John W.
• Jackson, Lyman E. (Edson)
• Johnson, Willis E.
• Leinbach, Fred H.
• Lilley, George W.
• McLouth, Lewis
• Miller, Peggy Gordon (Elliott)
• Perisho, Ellwood C.
• Pugsley, Charles W. (William)
• Resolution 21
• Wagner, Robert T. (Todd)

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.

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.

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

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