Black Hills State University: A History of Education and Opportunity
Black Hills State University (BHSU) stands as a public university in Spearfish, South Dakota, offering a diverse range of academic programs and a rich history dating back to the late 19th century. With its main campus in Spearfish and a satellite campus in Rapid City shared with South Dakota State University, BHSU serves close to 4,000 students through traditional and distance learning options.
From Dakota Territorial Normal School to Black Hills State University: A Historical Overview
The origins of Black Hills State University can be traced back to 1883 with the establishment of the Dakota Territorial Normal School. This followed an act passed by the Dakota Territorial Legislature in 1881 and a provisional appropriation of building funds in 1883, stipulating that if Spearfish and surrounding communities could obtain at least forty acres of land and hand over the deed to the Territorial government, the legislature would fund the construction of a school, "the exclusive purpose of which (would) be the instruction of persons both male and female in the art of teaching and in all the various branches that pertain to a good common school education."
Before the establishment of the Dakota Territorial Normal School, an earlier institution called Dakota College or Dakota Academy operated from 1881 to 1883. Funded by the Congregational Church and not affiliated with BHSU, it represents an early attempt at establishing higher education in the region.
In 1883, John Mauer offered a plot of land west of Spearfish Creek for sale to support the establishment of a new normal school. Joseph Ramsdell, with the help of John Wolzmuth, Frank J. Washabaugh, and E.M. Bowman, raised funds to purchase the land. The Dakota Territorial Legislature then established the Dakota Territorial Normal School, constructing a temporary building in late 1883.
Van Buren Baker became the first administrator and teacher at the school on April 14, 1884. However, he departed in December of the same year, leaving the school in a precarious financial situation. The school reopened in September 1885 under the leadership of Fayette Cook, with an enrollment of 70 students. The initial coursework included high school classes and one year of study beyond high school. The Normal School Main Building was constructed in 1887 and served the institution until it was destroyed in a fire in 1925.
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Over the years, the institution underwent several name changes, reflecting its evolving mission and expanded offerings:
- 1883 - Dakota Territorial Normal School
- 1885-1922 - Spearfish Normal ("Dakota Normal" and "State Normal")
- 1941 - Black Hills Teachers College
- July 1, 1964 - Black Hills State College
- July 1, 1989 - Black Hills State University
Adapting to Changing Times: From Teachers College to Comprehensive University
By 1924, the school was authorized to offer a four-year curriculum, leading to a Bachelor of Science in Education degree, signaling a move towards becoming a more comprehensive institution. During World War II, BHSU contributed to the war effort by creating a 12-week civil aeronautics course, which was later shortened to eight weeks. Many graduates of this program went on to serve in the military.
During Russel E. Jonas's presidency from 1942 to 1967, the campus experienced significant growth, with the addition of new dormitories, a library expansion, and a three-story classroom building. In recognition of its broadening educational opportunities, the institution was officially renamed Black Hills State College on July 1, 1964.
The Vietnam War era brought both growth and challenges to BHSU. The university reached its first enrollment of 2,000 students in the 1968-69 academic year, partly due to draft evasion. In October 1969, students protested against the war, leading to a counter-protest by the local Veterans Club.
In 1970, a proposal was made to transform BHSU into a junior college under a larger university system in Rapid City, but this proposal was ultimately rejected. Instead, the Board of Regents decided to maintain BHSU as a four-year college but withdrew the master's program.
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The university continued to expand its facilities, opening a new library with an art gallery and museum exhibits in 1973. In 1990, George H. W. Bush visited BHSU during his presidential campaign, sparking controversy over his stance on returning the Black Hills to the Lakota people.
The institution achieved university status on July 1, 1989, becoming Black Hills State University. The 1990s saw further campus development, including housing for married students, the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center, and an expansion of the student union. Additions to campus during the 2000s included campus beautification of the walkway between Meier Hall, Woodburn Hall, and the Young Center; the Flickema Gardens; expansion of the David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union; the Joy (Proctor) Krautschun Alumni/Foundation Welcome Center; Crow Peak Residence Hall, remodel of Jonas Science Building, and a new residence for the university's president. In October 2022, an expansive remodel of the E.Y. Berry Library Learning Center began.
Academic Organization and Programs
Black Hills State University is organized into three colleges:
- The College of Liberal Arts: Divided into the School of Arts and Humanities and the School of Math and Social Sciences. The college supports outreach through its Center for American Indian Studies (CAIS) and Center for Conservation of Biological Resources (CCBR).
- The College of Business and Natural Sciences: Organized into the School of Business and the School of Natural Sciences. The mission of the College of Business and Natural Sciences at Black Hills State University is to develop business and natural science graduates who can compete effectively in a dynamic global environment through innovative instruction, mentoring, research, and service in degree programs such as Business Administration, Professional Accountancy, Applied Health Sciences, Biology and Chemistry.
- The College of Education and Behavioral Sciences: Focuses on preparing educators and professionals in related fields.
BHSU offers a wide array of academic programs, including the history major.
The History Major at BHSU
The history major at Black Hills State University provides a program emphasizing American History, European history, and regional history. Students majoring in history learn about past events and people, explore themes in historical eras, develop the ability to analyze and interpret historical documents and publications, apply computer technology in the field, and practice the skills of historical research and writing. History majors have career opportunities in museums, historical societies and archives, research institutions, government agencies, and they can also become certified to teach.
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The required core coursework for history majors includes:
- HIST 115 - Survey of Non-Western Civilizations (3 semester hours)
- HIST 121 - Western Civilization I (3 semester hours)
- HIST 122 - Western Civilization II (3 semester hours)
- HIST 151 - United States History I (3 semester hours)
- HIST 152 - United States History II (3 semester hours)
- HIST 240 - Introduction to Public History and Cultural Resources (3 semester hours)
- HIST 257 - Early American Indian History and Culture (3 semester hours)
- HIST 480 - Historical Methods & Historiography (3 semester hours)
- Humanities Reciprocity - 3 credits (Take one course from the following prefixes).
Campus and Facilities
A majority of the university's instructional programs and offices are housed in Woodburn Hall, Wenona Cook Hall, Jonas Hall, and the Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center. The E.Y. Berry Library Learning Center provides resources for research and study. Six residence halls and an eight-building apartment complex accommodate nearly 1000 students. The David B. Miller Yellow Jacket Student Union serves the social and recreational needs of the students. The Donald E. Young Sports and Fitness Center provides fitness facilities and an aquatics center, as well as classrooms and faculty offices.
In 2017, the University re-graded a steep hill to a gentle slope on the southwest side of campus. This extensive landscaping project created the opportunity for an ADA-accessible walkway connecting campus with the Spearfish community along St. Joe Street. The sidewalk adjoins the city walk/bike path and leads to the campus green that is used for campus and community events.
Construction was completed in 2009 for the Student Union expansion that has more than doubled the amount of space available for students. An $8-million science building opened in 2011. The 26,000-square-foot (2,400 m2) science building is located west of the current Jonas Science wing. Clare and Josef Meier Hall, a state-of-the-art music and classroom building, was added in the center of campus in 2003.
Accreditation and Recognition
The university is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, and the National Association of Schools of Music, ensuring high standards in its academic programs.
Athletics: The Yellow Jackets
The athletic teams of BHSU are known as the Yellow Jackets. The university is a member of the NCAA and participates in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). The men's athletic teams include basketball, cross country, football, and track & field. The women's athletic teams include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, track & field, triathlon, and volleyball. In addition, BHSU also has recreation sports and rodeo.
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