First University Archivist

Herbert S. Schell was appointed the first University Archivist in 1968. He was largely responsible for organizing The University of South Dakota’s historical records into the USD Archives. Between 1968 and 1971, his extensive letter-writing campaign added the professional and personal papers of many prominent South Dakotans to the Richardson Collection.

Schell joined the USD History Department in 1925. From 1936-1964, he served as the director and dean of the Graduate School. His definitive History of South Dakota is still widely admired, and his History of Clay County, South Dakota won an award from the American Association for State and Local History. In 1968, he retired from the Graduate School and was awarded the title of Dean Emeritus.

Image from the I.D. Weeks Library Records, 1993-. USD Archives. University Libraries. The University of South Dakota.

Information from the Faculty Files. USD Archives. University Libraries. The University of South Dakota.