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On
June 5, 1872, pastors and delegates of nine Baptist churches in what was
then called the Dakota Territory gathered in Vermillion at the first
meeting of the Baptist Association in the territory.
They adopted the following resolution:
“Resolved, that we take immediate steps for the establishment
of an institution among us, and that we devote a suitable portion of
time at each annual meeting of the consideration of this important
subject, and give an individual associated influence to encourage a more
general and complete education of our youth under distinctly Christian
influence.”
Under
the name of Dakota Collegiate Institute, formal instruction began on
September 8, 1883, in the basement of the First Baptist Church of Sioux
Falls. In the fall of that year, a campus site was selected along
the pioneer Old Yankton Trail, presently marked by a bronze tablet at
the edge of the Norman B. Mears Library.
The foundation was laid for the first building, Meredith Hall,
which was completed in 1885. That
same year, the institution was reorganized as Sioux Falls University and
graduated its first four-year class.
In
1929, Des Moines University closed and transferred its records to Sioux
Falls University. Two years
later, Grand Island College of Nebraska merged with Sioux Falls
University forming a new corporation, Sioux Falls College.
Two years later, the American Baptist State Conventions of North
and South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota passed a resolution
officially recognizing the college as a denominationally affiliated
institution.
During
the 1960’s, eight major educational buildings were added:
Salsbury Student Union, Mears Library, Jeschke Fine Arts Center,
Salsbury Science Center, a home for the president and three residence
halls: Kroske, Burgess and
Grand Island.
Construction
continued in the 1970’s with the addition of Patterson Hall, an
apartment building for students, and the renovation of Glidden Hall,
Jorden Hall and Pierce Gymnasium. This
decade is also remembered for the establishment of cooperative
educational programs with Augustana College and North American Baptist
Seminary.
In
the 1980’s, enrollment grew to over 900, and the college continued to
focus on curricular expansion and innovation.
A pioneer in the adult learner market, the college provided
valuable new educational resources to the Sioux Falls community by
founding the Center for Women and the Center for Management and
inaugurating the Degree Completion Program.
In 1988, the campus expanded with the addition of the Stewart
Center, a wellness and athletic facility, which also serves the local
community.
Changes
in the last 10 years raised the stature of the college.
Seeking to become a regionally recognized institution for higher
learning, the college added graduate programs in business and education.
Based upon these and other advances and a comprehensive
long-range plan for growth, the Board of Trustees voted in 1994 to
rename the college the University of Sioux Falls. Although the name of the school changed, the university’s
commitment to celebrate its past and pursue its original mission
remained intact.
Symbolic
of its efforts to preserve its heritage, the university completely
restored Jorden Hall in 1995. With
plans to further expand the campus and enhance the curriculum, the
university set forth to find and secure additional resources needed for
the future. Subsequently, the
Board of Trustees voted to establish the University of Sioux Falls
Foundation. Incorporated in
1996, the foundation serves to provide the financial resources needed to
grow and secure the University of Sioux Falls through the 21st
century.
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