South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University Summary

South Dakota State University is the largest university in the U.S. state of South Dakota, located in Brookings. SDSU is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, which governs the state’s six public universities and two special schools. On January 1, 2007, David Chicoine became the 19th President of South Dakota State University. The name was changed in 1904 to South Dakota State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts. In 1964, the name was changed to South Dakota State University, reflecting the more comprehensive education offered at the university. The 375+ member SDSU Marching Band, “The Pride of the Dakotas,” given the special name the Millennium Band in 2000 by the South Dakota State Legislature, has marched in the 1981 and 1997 Presidential Inaugural Parades in Washington, DC; In 2004, SDSU began a transition to NCAA Division I, ending its long association with the NCAA Division II North Central Conference and its century-old intrastate rivalry with the University of South Dakota. They received a bye in the first round and continued on to victories over Illinois State and Indiana University, but were beaten by players from the University of Wyoming in the 4th round of the tournament. The Dakota Marker is the trophy awarded to the winner of the annual college football game played between the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison, located in Fargo, North Dakota and the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Jackrabbits.

Summary content courtesy of Wikipedia.

South Dakota State University History

South Dakota State University was founded in 1881 as a land grant institution. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association. It is classed as a Doctoral Research University—Intensive by the Carnegie Institute.

South Dakota State University Academics

South Dakota State’s academic programs are offered through its eight unique colleges, including Agriculture & Biological Sciences, Arts & Science, Education & Counseling, Engineering, Family & Consumer Sciences, General Studies & Outreach Programs, Nursing, and Pharmacy. SDSU also offers a Distance Education course for undergraduates who live far from the campus, nontraditional students, or students who are temporarily on leave. The SDSU Honors College offers outstanding students a smaller class setting, more demanding curriculum, and motivation to achieve above and beyond expectations.

South Dakota State University has academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate level. There are 10 colleges: the College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, the College of Arts and Science, the College of Education and Counseling, the College of Engineering, the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, the College of General Studies and Outreach Programs, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the Graduate School, and the Honors College.

Bachelor’s degrees are offered in a variety of fields within the various academic colleges. Degrees at the bachelor’s level can be received in such areas as liberal studies, pre-professional programs, dairy production, animal science, entomology, landscape architecture, range science, art, communication studies & theatre, graphic design, microbiology, music, public recreation, education, engineering, interior design, and nursing. There are minors in many of these fields and also in areas such as zoology, botany, pest management, American Indian studies, military science, and religion.

Graduate programs are offered in approximately 30 fields, generally in the sciences and education rather than in the liberal arts. These include master’s level programs in various areas of agriculture, biology, English, geography, mathematics, education, engineering, industrial management, nursing, and family & consumer science. Doctoral degrees are offered in agronomy, animal science, atmospheric, environmental & water resources, biological sciences, chemistry, and sociology; there is also a D. Pharm. through the College of Pharmacy. Secondary education certification is offered in 23 areas.

South Dakota State University Unique Programs

The Ethel Austin Martin program, named in honor of the SDSU alumnus who originally funded it, provides for the retention and support of an outstanding faculty member in the nutrition sciences, highlighting SDSU’s commitment to science and discovery in the light of human improvement. As part of the program, the Martin fund also supports programs that enrich all students and faculty at SDSU.

In addition to its many undergraduate degree programs, SDSU offers a number of pre-professional programs, including pre-law, pre-chiropractic, pre-optometry, pre-mortuary, and pre-physical therapy concentrations.

South Dakota State University has an undergraduate Honors Program. Students who seek admission to the Honors Program need to meet the following requirements: an ACT score of 27 or higher, and/or a class rank in the top 10%. Once admitted to the Honors Program, students will take part in smaller classes, including a first year Honors seminar, be able to live on the Honors floor of a residence hall, and work on an independent study project.

South Dakota State University has cooperative extension programs in agricultural safety and wellness, climate, crops, family & consumer sciences, farm management/marketing, horticulture, and livestock.

Research is supported at all levels; there is a journal of undergraduate research for undergraduate students to publish the results of the research they have done. The Agricultural Experiment Station performs research on animal disease, offers seed and soil testing, and does research on native and domesticated plants.

South Dakota State University Financial Aid

More than 85% of all SDSU students receive some form of financial aid award. In 2004, eligible applicants were awarded an average of $5,630 toward their expenses. SDSU’s Financial Aid program provides packages that can include scholarships, federal loans or grants, federal work-study, or a combination of all of these. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Financial Aid office with any questions regarding individual circumstances. The Financial Aid office or their website can be consulted for an estimate of the total cost of attending SDSU.

Tuition at South Dakota State University is $1,221 per semester for the 2005-2006 academic year for in-state, undergraduate students attending full-time. Students applying from out of state and graduate students have higher costs. Students from Minnesota, or from member states in the Western Undergraduate Exchange, pay reduced out-of-state tuition rates.

Financial aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, and loans. Work-study programs are also available for study with demonstrated need; the financial aid office tries to put students in jobs close to their area of study. Students who seek financial aid will need to fill out the Federal Student Financial Aid Form, available on-line. Approximately 86 % of students receive some form of financial aid.

Graduate students may also receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research assistantships, including a stipend and a waiver of some or all of the tuition and other fees. Graduate students should consult with their individual department about what sort of assistantships or fellowships are available and about the details of the application process; approximately 350 out of 1400 enrolled students receive assistantships.

South Dakota State University Students

Student life at South Dakota State University includes opportunities in a diverse range of activities and organizations. There are fraternities and sororities, academic and professional groups, religious organizations, cultural organizations, political groups, and special interest groups such as Block and Bridle, the Civil Air Patrol, and Collegiate 4-H. There is a college newspaper and a campus radio station. Sports clubs that students can participate in include boxing, karate, and rodeo; intramural sports include softball, racquetball, and flag football. There is also a wellness center.

One annual tradition for SDSU students and faculty is Hobo Day; people dress down and participate in a variety of activities on campus.

A new student’s first experience at SDSU, New Student Orientation, helps them ease in to university life, make connections with new friends, meet advisors, and register for classes. All students are required to live in on-campus housing in their first two years out of high school. There are also numerous opportunities for students to find on-campus employment. The SDSU Student Union provides a central location for students to meet, hang out, or get information. The Union offers an Information Exchange where inquiries can be made on campus events, and where students can cash checks, get their mail, and make copies. There are over 200 student organizations and clubs on campus, including those affiliated with certain departments, cultures, and religions.

South Dakota State University Traditions

Hobo Day is perhaps the most time-honored tradition at South Dakota State. It originated in 1912 when a group of students were trying to come up with an original idea for homecoming. Many different activities had been attempted in the past, but none truly united the entire campus. And so Hobo Day was born. On this day each year, students and faculty dress in their dingiest clothes, men do not shave, and women wear their hair in braids to celebrate the University’s spirit.

South Dakota State University Local Community

South Dakota State University is located in Brookings, South Dakota, which has a population of approximately 19,000. The surrounding environment is rural farmland. Near-by attractions and events include a summer arts festival, a theatre festival, the Sioux water festival, several museums, and a vineyard.

Brookings is just minutes away from the border and a short drive from the state’s largest city, Sioux Falls. The town’s population is approximately 19,000, making SDSU’s enrollment of 10,000 a significant factor in the town’s size and economy. Brookings has a great deal to offer the culturally minded, including the Brookings Chamber Music Society, McCrory Gardens, and the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. The Performing Arts Center is a lively venue for visiting musical and theatrical performances.