South Dakota State University Archives

Box 2115 Hilton M. Briggs Library, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007-1098
605-688-5094  arcrefs@sdstate.edu



College of Engineering Collection

Background

Arrangement and Content

Restrictions

Subject Terms

Related Material

Administrative Information

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Collection Summary 

Creator:

College of Engineering, South Dakota State University
 

Title:

College of Engineering Collection
 

Dates:

Inclusive:  1950-current
Bulk:        1969-1979, 1985-1993
 

Abstract:

Collection consists of records generated by departments within the College of Engineering, and includes administrative records, publications and material related to the Engineering Resource Center, Engineering Extension, and the Northern Great Plains Water Resources Center.
 

Physical Description:

2.73 linear feet—7 containers
 

Collection Number:

UA 8

Background

Instruction in engineering is a cornerstone of the land grant ideal.  The Morrill Act of 1862, the enabling legislation of the land grant system, required that courses be taught in mechanical arts, including engineering.  As a land grant college, South Dakota State University complied with this requirement from the outset.  The first catalog of South Dakota State University contains plans for an engineering course of study.  A full course was outlined for interested students, and in 1891, the two members of the graduating class were engineering students.  Courses were taught in civil and mechanical engineering, and the electrical engineering course was taught through the Department of Physics, known for a short while as the Department of Physics and Electrical Engineering.  By 1900, enrollment in the engineering course had grown to such an extent that separate departments for civil, mechanical and electrical engineering were established.

In 1924, all departments of South Dakota State University were arranged into five units known as divisions, precursors of the modern colleges.  The Engineering Division offered coursework in electrical, mechanical or civil engineering leading to a Bachelor of Science degree.  Physics and mathematics were in the general science division, and the Agriculture Division administered agricultural engineering.  All later moved to the Engineering Division and are today part of the College of Engineering.

Decreasing enrollment in engineering courses at the university, combined with ongoing financial problems, led the South Dakota Board of Regents to make an unpopular recommendation in 1976.  Known around campus as the Engineering Controversy, the proposal recommended that only one engineering school, to be housed at the School of Mines in Rapid City, was needed in South Dakota.  The plans for carrying out the proposal went far, but the proposal was never carried out.  Nevertheless, it caused a major stir both in and out of Brookings, and resulted in a renewed interest in the College of Engineering.

In 1986, the College of Engineering established a new program to serve South Dakota.  The Engineering and Environmental Research Center was established to serve the university, citizens and industry of South Dakota through a variety of programs.  Among the programs established was the Engineering Extension Service, which formalized the extension work of the college.  Also included are the Office of Remote Sensing, the South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program, the University/Industry Technology Service and the Manufacturing Extension partnership. 

Today, the College of Engineering offers a variety of courses with a faculty characterized by high academic arraignment and significant accomplishments in engineering practice, science, and technology.  Undergraduate professional programs are offered leading to baccalaureate degrees in agricultural engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, engineering physics, computer science, electronics engineering technology, construction management, and manufacturing engineering technology.  In addition to the undergraduate degree programs, course selections are available from the broad offering of undergraduate courses to specializations in each program.  Graduate programs are available in engineering, the sciences, mathematics and industrial management.

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Arrangement and Content

The College of Engineering record group is arranged into sub-groups.

General College Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.0
Dates:  1950-current
Physical Description: 1.05 linear feet—3 containers
Abstract:  This collection consists of administrative records and publications generated by the College of Engineering.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/General College Records [UA 8.0].

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Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.1
Dates:  1970-current
Physical Description: .11 linear feet—.25 container (5 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of publications generated by the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering Records [UA 8.1].

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Department of Electrical Engineering Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.2
Dates: 1967-1997
Physical Description: .11 linear feet—.25 container (4 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of administrative records and publications generated by the Department of Electrical Engineering.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Department of Electrical Engineering Records [UA 8.2].

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Department of Mathematics & Statistics Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.3
Dates:  c1970s-current
Physical Description: .10 linear feet—.25 container (3 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of publications generated by the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Department of Mathematics & Statistics Records [UA 8.3].

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Department of Mechanical Engineering Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.4
Dates: 1950
Physical Description: .10 linear feet—.25 container (2 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of publications generated by the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Department of Mechanical Engineering Records [UA 8.4].

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Engineering Resource Center Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.5
Dates: 1970-current
Physical Description: .84 linear feet—2 containers
Abstract:  This collection consists of material generated by programs within the Engineering Resource Center: Office of Remote Sensing, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, South Dakota Local Transportation Assistance Program, University/Industry Technology Service, Publications, and Essential Networking and Training for Entrepreneurship.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Engineering Resource Center Records [UA 8.5].

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Engineering Extension Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.6
Dates: 1985-current
Physical Description: 14 linear feet—33 container (3 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of publications generated by Engineering Extension.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Engineering Extension Records [UA 8.6].

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Northern Great Plains Water Resources Center Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.7
Dates: 1989
Physical Description: .14 linear feet—.33 container (2 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of publications generated by the Northern Great Plains Water Resources Center.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Northern Great Plains Water Resources Center Records [UA 8.7].

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Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Records
Collection Number:
  UA 8.8
Dates: 1954-current
Physical Description: .14 linear feet—.34 container (5 folders)
Abstract:  This collection consists of publications generated by the Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering.

For finding aid SEE College of Engineering/Department of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Records [UA 8.8].

Restrictions

Use of Materials

This collection is open to research without restriction.

Subject Terms

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the subject guide. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the subject guide using these headings.

  • Engineering, College of (SDSU)

  • Civil & Environmental Engineering, Dept. of (SDSU)

  • Electrical Engineering, Dept. of (SDSU)

  • Mathematics & Statistics, Dept. of (SDSU)

  • Mechanical Engineering, Dept. of (SDSU)

  • Engineering Resource Center (SDSU)

  • Engineering Extension (SDSU)

  • Northern Great Plains Water Resources Center (SDSU)

  • Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering, Dept. of (SDSU)

Related Material

South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, Division of Engineering. 70 years of engineering, 1884-1954, Brookings, S.D., South Dakota State College, 1954. T74.S6 S6s

South Dakota State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, History of S.D.S.C., Brookings, S.D., South Dakota State College, 1930. S537.S6 H47

South Dakota State University, College of Engineering, A five-year plan for engineering education enhancement, Brookings, S.D., The College, 1984. T74 S6 S68 1984

South Dakota State University, College of Engineering, Questionnaire for review of engineering curricula, Brookings, S.D., South Dakota State University, 1973. T75 B7 E56

South Dakota State University, College of Engineering, Research and outreach, Brookings, S.D., Engineering Experiment Station, 1988/1990-. S537.S6 S6044

Administrative Information

Preferred citation

College of Engineering Collection, South Dakota State University Archives, South Dakota State University, Brookings, S. D.

Provenance

This is an on-going collection with material arriving through departmental records transfers, the university campus mail, or random donation by various individuals.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Crystal J. Gamradt on 13 May 1998 with revision of 24  September 1999 [cjg] and 26 April 2002 [cjg].

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Last updated 9 February 2006.