Finding Aid
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Collection Summary
Identifier
UA 53.31
Title
Robert T. Wagner Papers
Creator
Robert T. Wagner
Dates
1971-1998
Extent
3.0 linear feet (3 records center boxes) photographs
Language
English
Repository
South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Access note
This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.
Preferred Citation
Name of item . Robert T. Wagner Papers. UA 53.31. South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M .Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.
Abstract
Robert T. Wagner, president of South Dakota State University, 1985-1997. Papers related to his career at SDSU as a teacher and administrator.
Biographical Note
Robert Todd Wagner was born October 30, 1932. He earned a degree in philosophy from Augustana College in 1954. He and Mary Mumford, a native of Howard, married that same year before moving to Evanston, Ill., where he was a student at the Seabury Western Theological Seminary. The couple eventually moved back to South Dakota, where Robert earned his Ph.D. at South Dakota State University, and Mary a master’s degree in social sciences in 1974 and a Ph.D. in sociology in 1978.
Wagner first joined the university in 1971 as an assistant professor of rural sociology, and he earned “legendary” status through his Marriage 250 class. The class enrolled almost 1,200 students a year in three sections, filling every seat in Rotunda D, the largest classroom on campus.
Wagner served two years as an assistant to the vice president for academic affairs and spent a year as vice president and chief administrator at Dakota State University in Madison before he was called back to SDSU to assume the university presidency. A position he held from 1985-1997.
Wagner led SDSU from a controversial era into a decidedly more tranquil time. His quiet attention to the internal workings of the college, rather than external politics, worked well and resulted in a great deal of growth. Despite constant budget problems under his administration, the campus expanded by more than 380,000 square feet. Twenty-two faculty were added, and technology became a major factor in the university. The College of Education and Counseling was formed, and many buildings were built, including Berg and Bailey Apartments, the Animal Disease Research, and the Northern Plains Biostress Laboratory.
His wife, Mary, was also an SDSU staffer as well as a member of the Brookings school board and a Republican legislator for 12 years. She died in 2004.
In 2010, SDSU renamed its Nursing, Family and Consumer Sciences, and Arts and Sciences building in honor of the Wagner’s. The South Dakota Board of Regents approved the name change.
A scholar as well as a popular teacher, Wagner was the author of 64 publications and chaired numerous academic committees.
Contents Note
The Robert T. Wagner papers span his career from 1971 until his retirement in 1997. The records are composed of materials related to all aspects of his career at South Dakota State University. Also included is a small amount of material related to his service as Vice President at Dakota State College.
Files related to his academic teaching as a professor of Rural Sociology at SDSU are composed of correspondence, calendars, programs related to speaking engagements, and greeting cards of thanks and birthday wishes. A minimal amount of material is related to the courses he taught.
The Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at SDSU records are composed of calendars, correspondence, clippings, newsletters, greeting cards, photographs, and certificates awarded to Wagner. A small amount of materials related to teaching can be found in these files as he still taught some classes during this time.
Records related to his presidency at SDSU make up the largest portion of this collection. These files are composed of correspondence, clippings, calendars, certificates, reports, newsletters, evaluations, and greeting cards. At the end of this material researchers will find material related to his retirement.
Related Resources
Papers of university presidents. UA 1.1. South Dakota State University Archives and Hilton M. Briggs Library Special Collections.
For more information on Robert T. Wagner visit the Digital Library of South Dakota:
Bibliography
Goreham, Gary and Robert T. Wagner, South Dakotans on the move : characteristics of people leaving and entering the state, 1970 to 1980, Brookings, S.D., Dept. of Rural Sociology, Agricultural Experiment Station, College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, South Dakota State University, 1974. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.17 no. 229/up. 14]
Goss, Sidney G., Robert T. Wagner and Robert M. Dimit, Population change in South Dakota small towns, 1960-1970, Brookings, Rural Sociology Dept., Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1975. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no. 636]
Riley, Marvin P. and Robert T. Wagner, Reference tables: population change of counties and incorporated placed, Brookings, Rural Sociology Dept., Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1971. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no 586]
Riley, Marvin P. and Robert T. Wagner, South Dakota population and net migration, 1960-1970, Brookings, Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1971. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no. 580]
Riley, Marvin P., Robert T. Wagner, and Fred G. Bender, Population update, Brookings, S.D., Dept. of Rural Sociology, Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1978. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.17 no. 229, up. 1] South Dakota Board of Regents, An Appreciation of the services of Dr. Charles W. Pugsley as president of South Dakota State College, South Dakota, Board of Regents?, 1940. [Archives: S537.S6 P77 1940]
Wagner, Robert T. and Eugene T. Butler, 1980 population projections for South Dakota, Brookings, Rural Sociology, Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1974. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no. 619]
Wagner, Robert T. and Robert M. Dimit, South Dakota water plan: attitudes of South Dakotans toward water resources development, Brookings, Rural Sociology Dept., Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1975. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no. 632]
Wagner, Robert T., A study of selected demographic factors associated with changed in age structure in the population of South Dakota from 1960-1970, Thesis (Ph. D.)—Rural Sociology Dept., South Dakota State University, 1972. [Archives: LB2386.W125]
Wagner, Robert T., Attitudes of South Dakotans toward water resource [i.e. resources] development, Brookings, S.D., South Dakota State University, Dept. of Rural Sociology, 1975-1976. [SD Collection: TC424.S8 W341]
Wagner, Robert T., Characteristics and needs of the aged in South Dakota, 1980-1990, Brookings, S.D., South Dakota State University, Dept. of Rural Sociology, 1978. [SD Collection: HQ1064.U6 S7]
Wagner, Robert T., Eugene T. Butler, and Karen A. McComish, Population projection models for South Dakota, 1980, 1985, and 1990, Brookings, Rural Sociology Dept., Agricultural Experiment Station, South Dakota State University, 1975. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no. 631]
Wagner, Robert T., Marvin P. Riley, and Howard M Sauer, Changed in age structure: South Dakota population, 1960-1970, Brookings, S.D., Rural Sociology Dept., Agricultural Experiment Station, 1973. [Periodicals/lower level: 630.7 So87.12 no. 615
Key Words
College presidents
South Dakota State University – Presidents
Wagner, Robert T. (Todd), 1932-2011
Container List
View container list on Open Prairie
| Series | Box | Folder | Description | Date(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | 1 | 1 | Biographical information | 1985-1997 |
| General | 1 | 2 | Black Hills State College : candidate for presidency | 1985 |
| General | 1 | 3 | Dakota State College : Vice president | 1984-1985 |
| General | 1 | 4 | Dakota State College : Vice president - appreciation for service | 1985 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 12 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1978 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 13 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1979 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 5 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1971-1972 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 6 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1972-1973 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 7 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1973-1974 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 8 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1974-1975 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 9 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1975-1976 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 10 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1976-1977 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 11 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1977-1978 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 14 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1979-1980 |
| 1971-1981 | 1 | 15 | South Dakota State University : Rural Sociology professor | 1980-1981 |
| 1981-1984 | 1 | 16 | South Dakota State University : Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs | 1981 |
| 1981-1984 | 1 | 17 | South Dakota State University : Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs | 1982 |
| 1981-1984 | 1 | 18 | South Dakota State University : Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs | 1983 |
| 1981-1984 | 1 | 19 | South Dakota State University : Assistant to the Vice President for Academic Affairs | 1984 |
| 1985 | 1 | 20 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Calendar and activities | 1985 |
| 1985 | 1 | 21 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Congratulations | 1985 |
| 1985 | 1 | 22 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1985 |
| 1985 | 2 | 1 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1985 |
| 1985 | 2 | 2 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1985 |
| 1985 | 2 | 3 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1985 |
| 1986 | 2 | 4 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Calendar and activities | 1986 |
| 1986 | 2 | 5 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1986 |
| 1986 | 2 | 6 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1986 |
| 1986 | 2 | 7 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1986 |
| 1986 | 2 | 8 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1986 |
| 1987 | 2 | 9 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1987 |
| 1987 | 2 | 10 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1987 |
| 1987 | 2 | 11 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1987 |
| 1987 | 2 | 12 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1987 |
| 1987 | 2 | 13 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1987 |
| 1988 | 2 | 14 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1988 |
| 1988 | 2 | 15 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1988 |
| 1988 | 2 | 16 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1988 |
| 1988 | 2 | 17 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1988 |
| 1989 | 2 | 18 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1989 |
| 1989 | 2 | 19 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1989 |
| 1989 | 2 | 20 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1989 |
| 1989 | 2 | 21 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1989 |
| 1989 | 2 | 22 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1989 |
| 1990 | 2 | 23 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Calendar and activities | 1990 |
| 1990 | 2 | 24 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1990 |
| 1990 | 2 | 25 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1990 |
| 1990 | 2 | 26 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Russia Trip | 1990 |
| 1990 | 2 | 27 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1990 |
| 1991 | 2 | 28 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1991 |
| 1991 | 2 | 29 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1991 |
| 1991 | 2 | 30 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1991 |
| 1991 | 2 | 31 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1991 |
| 1992 | 2 | 32 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1992 |
| 1992 | 2 | 33 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1992 |
| 1992 | 2 | 34 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1992 |
| 1992 | 2 | 35 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1992 |
| 1993 | 2 | 36 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1993 |
| 1993 | 2 | 37 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1993 |
| 1994 | 3 | 1 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Calendar and activities | 1994 |
| 1994 | 3 | 2 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1994 |
| 1994 | 3 | 3 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1994 |
| 1994 | 3 | 4 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Oxford Round Table, Cambridge, England | 1994 |
| 1994 | 3 | 5 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1994 |
| 1994 | 3 | 6 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1994 |
| 1995 | 3 | 7 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Calendar and activities | 1995 |
| 1995 | 3 | 8 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1995 |
| 1996 | 3 | 9 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1996 |
| 1996 | 3 | 10 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1996 |
| 1996 | 3 | 11 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1996 |
| 1996 | 3 | 12 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Photographs | 1996 |
| 1996 | 3 | 13 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1996 |
| 1997 | 3 | 14 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Activities | 1997 |
| 1997 | 3 | 15 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Correspondence | 1997 |
| 1997 | 3 | 16 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Newspaper clippings | 1997 |
| 1997 | 3 | 17 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Retirement guest book | 1997 |
| 1997 | 3 | 18 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Retirement guest books | 1997 |
| 1997 | 3 | 19 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Retirement letters | 1997 |
| 1997 | 3 | 20 | South Dakota State University : Presidency - Speeches | 1997 |
| 1998 | 3 | 32 | South Dakota State University : President Emeritus | 1998 |
Administrative Information
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.
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 note
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.
Arranged and Described by
Crystal J. Gamradt, Archivist, 2016 March 23.