University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota. Founded in 1862 by the Dakota Territorial Legislature, it is the flagship and oldest public university in the state of South Dakota. The institution is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is renowned for its programs in health sciences, law, and fine arts. Its main campus is located in Vermillion, situated along the bluffs of the Missouri River.

History

The university was established by the Dakota Territorial Legislature under the auspices of the Morrill Act of 1862, though classes did not commence until 1882. Its founding president was Clark W. Beardslee, and the first classes were held in the former Vermillion high school building. A significant early development was the founding of its School of Law in 1901, the state's only law school. The institution weathered financial challenges in its early decades, including a contentious relocation attempt to Sioux Falls, before solidifying its permanent home. Key historical milestones include the admission of women from its inception, the establishment of the Sanford School of Medicine in 1907, and its pivotal role during the Dust Bowl and Great Depression eras. The modern era saw expansion with new facilities like the DakotaDome and its transition to NCAA Division I athletics.

Academics

The university is organized into several colleges, including the College of Arts & Sciences, the Beacom School of Business, and the School of Education. It is particularly distinguished for its professional schools: the Sanford School of Medicine, the state's only School of Law, and the College of Fine Arts. Notable research centers include the USD Discovery District and the National Music Museum, which houses one of the world's finest instrument collections. The institution offers numerous doctoral programs, including a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering and a Doctor of Audiology, and is a national leader in Native American student enrollment and programs. Its libraries, such as the I.D. Weeks Library, hold significant collections like the South Dakota Oral History Center and archives related to Senator Thomas A. Daschle.

Campus

The 274-acre main campus in Vermillion features a mix of historic and modern architecture, with the iconic Old Main building, constructed in 1883, as its centerpiece. Key facilities include the DakotaDome, a multi-purpose athletic and event venue, the National Music Museum, and the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. The campus is also home to the USD School of Law building, the Aalfs Auditorium Slagle Hall, and the I.D. Weeks Library. Recent developments include the Lee Medical Building and the Beacom School of Business facility. The campus layout is divided into North Complex and South Complex residential areas, and it includes the adjacent USD Discovery District for research and innovation.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the South Dakota Coyotes, compete in the NCAA Division I Summit League for most sports; its football team is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference. The primary athletic venues are the DakotaDome and the Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Notable athletic achievements include the women's basketball team's participation in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament and the football team's appearances in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs. The program has produced professional athletes such as Dallas Goedert of the Philadelphia Eagles and has a strong rivalry with South Dakota State University, known as the South Dakota Showdown Series.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include former U.S. Senator and U.N. Ambassador George McGovern, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Ernest Lawrence, and former NFL commissioner Alvin "Pete" Rozelle. In government, alumni include Senator John Thune and former Governor William J. Janklow. The faculty has included notable figures such as historian and author John Milton Cooper Jr., while former United States Poet Laureate Ted Kooser served as a visiting writer. Other prominent graduates are actress and model Cindy Pickett, and Major League Baseball executive Terry Ryan.

Category:Universities and colleges in South Dakota Category:1862 establishments in Dakota Territory