The Shakespeare Garden, located in front of the Pardee-Estee Laboratories building at the University of South Dakota (USD), originally featured every flower, herb, and shrub mentioned in Shakespeare’s works, everything from columbine to wormwood. The USD Emeritus Club dedicated the Shakespeare Garden on April 23 (Shakespeare’s observed birthday), 1988. Over time, the original plants were replaced because they were not suited to the harsh South Dakota climatic conditions. Importantly, the garden features several architectural structures. Original structures include a fountain/bird bath donated by the USD class of 1924 and a sundial, donated by the family of English professor E. C. Ehrensperger. In 1990 Martin Wanserski, (Associate Professor of Art), constructed a three-quarter-size bronze figure of Shakespeare that is a fixture in the south end of the garden. Brick columns created by master mason Bob Hanson form the bases for the iron arch with the garden’s name “Shakespeare Garden” created by Mike Marsh located to the entrance of the Shakespeare Garden. Four additional brick columns constructed by Hanson mark the four edges of the garden. Iron fences at the south end of the garden composed of stylized vines and flowers constructed by Mike Marsh surround the Shakespeare statue. Iron initials “MM” and the date 2000 are incorporated into the design. In 2002 Marsh created fences on the north end of the garden that flank the entrance. His last name “Marsh” and the date are part of an iron spider’s web. The four brick columns at the edges of the garden each contain a plaque denoting the founders of the garden: Dr. Wayne W. Gutzman, Carroll Cowell, Dr. Marjorie Beaty, and Dr. W. O. Farber. On the west side column of the entrance is a plaque citing the significant role the Emeritus Club played to develop the garden. A prominent plaque at the east side column near the entrance to the garden honors Dr. Raphael Block, Professor of English, Shakespeare teacher and scholar. In 2007 Dr. Wayne Knutson, President of the Emeritus Club and former Dean of Fine Arts delineated the timeline of the construction of the park and the individuals responsible for its development as part of a speech for the Shakespeare Garden Festival.1 The unique architectural elements that comprise the Shakespeare Garden remain a prominent part of the University of South Dakota campus. Undated photograph depicting Dr. Farber, Dr. Beaty, Carroll Colwell, Dr. Raphael Block, and Dr. Wayne Gutzman standing behind the water fountain/bird bath. USD Archives and Special Collections, USD Photograph Collection. A recent photograph of the iron arch that frames the north entrance to the garden. 1Knutson, Wayne. The Shakespeare Garden at the University of South Dakota. Speech given at Shakespeare Garden Festival, October 18, 2007. College of Arts and Sciences, English Department Collection, Box 1, USD Archives and Special Collections, The University of South Dakota.

The University of South Dakota (USD) Photography Collections contains hundreds of images depicting floats, bands, celebrities, politicians, and USD presidents during Dakota Day parades. In the 1950s elaborate Dakota Day floats constructed by fraternities, sororities, independent student groups, and clubs took considerable effort to build and used that year’s theme to convey a message, usually a nasty way to defeat the opposing football team. In the 1957 parade, the Chemistry Club float highlighted the cyclotron, a device that produced high energy to smash atoms. The inventor of the cyclotron was South Dakota native Ernest O. Lawrence, a 1922 chemistry major alum of USD who went on to obtain a master’s degree at the University of Minnesota and a doctorate at Yale in physics. This “American Genius” received the Nobel Prize in physics for his discovery of the cyclotron that not only smashed atoms but was also instrumental with his physician brother John in developing radiolabeled chemicals used in the treatment of cancer. During his illustrative career as noted in the book by Herbert Child (An American Genius; the Life of Ernest Orlando Lawrence. Dutton, 1968), Lawrence went on to receive many honors. Lawrence’s mentor at USD was Lewis Akeley, Professor and Chairman of Physics and Dean of the College of Engineering. Akeley saw the talent in Lawrence and helped him develop a wireless radio station (that became KUSD), persuaded him to study physics, and taught him how to teach. All these abilities stood him in good stead when he became the youngest professor at the University of California, at Berkeley where he spent most of his academic career. Lawrence was also a master of cultivating networks of scientists that helped develop his research program and secure funding. At Berkeley one of his best friends was Dr. Robert Oppenheimer who also became director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II where Lawrence was involved in the development of the atomic bomb by producing uranium 235. Two buildings at USD were named in honor of Lawrence, the E. O Lawrence Telecommunication Center (now the Neuharth Media Center) and the Akeley – Lawrence Science Center. Lawrence also received an honorary doctorate from USD in 1936. Thus, the 1957 Chemistry Club float paid homage to Ernest O. Lawrence. Less than one year, Lawrence’s untimely death occurred on August 18, 1958. Reference: Cummins, C., Hildebrand, R. C. and Ward, S. R. The College of Arts and Sciences 1882-1982; University of South Dakota, 1982. A cyclotron on the 1957 Dakota Day Float. University of South Dakota (USD) Photography Collections, Series 10, Box 29, #4967.1. E. O. Lawrence senior picture, 1923 Coyote.

In the summer of 1959, the W. H. Over Museum, founded in 1883, was situated in the basement of Slagle Hall., Dr. Wesley Hurt, director of the museum was also an associate professor of anthropology at the University of South Dakota and founder of the Institute of Indian Studies. In 1957, according to the newsletter: Museum News (Vol 18 #7, part of the Chilson Collection), the famous Native American artist Oscar Howe became a University of South Dakota faculty member and assistant director the Over Museum. He remained as assistant director until 1959 when he took up residence in the Creative Arts Laboratory in the College of Fine Arts (Museum News, vol 20 #5). Following his nine-month-long trip to South America, Dr. Hurt returned to the university and developed new exhibits at the Over Museum. One new exhibit was devoted to South Dakota history. In the summer of 1959 Dr. Hurt asked a Vermillion citizen, master mason, and amateur wood carver, Ole Anderson, to make small statues depicting different occupations of settlers. Inspirations for Ole Anderson’s carvings came from images he found. According to his grandson, Jerome Anderson, Ole Anderson took the idea of carving a coon-hatted pioneer from paintings that Oscar Howe made. Jerome Anderson owns two of Oscar Howe's paintings of the coon-hatted pioneer. One is shown below courtesy of Jerome Anderson. Today Ole Anderson's pioneer carving sits in a display at the Over Museum along with a dozen statuettes depicting the work of settlers. Ole Anderson carving figures in the Over Museum. Image number 6415, Series 10, Box 43, University of South Dakota Archives and Special Collections. Oscar Howe’s drawing of the pioneer. Carvings of the pioneer and some settlers engaged in various activities in a display at the W. H. Over Museum.

The experiences and education offered by University of South Dakota (USD) provided springboards for hundreds of students to achieve world class accomplishments. One such student who took full advantage of USD was Ken Adlam Bode, from Hawarden, Iowa. According to the Coyote yearbook Bode attended USD majored in political science and philosophy, and graduated in 1961. While at USD, Bode held several leadership roles as president of Dakotans, the Student Association, Omicron Delta Kappa (an honorary society for seniors exhibiting scholarship, leadership, and service), the Forensic Union, and as vice president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. The May 9, 1961, Volante, reported that Bode received the Province 11 award for his leadership role in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He was only one of 26 student leaders in the country to receive such an honor. Other academic societies that Bode was elected to include the honorary political society, Phi Sigma Alpha, Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities, and Phi Beta Kappa. An article in the February 21, 1961, Volante, stated this: “Ken Bode is one of the hardest working guys this campus has seen in a long time. Anyone who knows Ken is aware that he does not like apathy in the student body. He never asks more of his coworkers than he is willing to do himself. As president of Student Senate last semester, he was instrumental in making the organization a powerful functioning organization. The article goes on to state: “Right now, he is in Pierre fighting for the education building. Anything that involves SUSD (renamed USD), involves Ken.” What happened to Ken Bode when he graduated from the University? Ken Bode went on to receive a M.A. in 1963 and in 1966 a Ph.D. in political science from the University of North Carolina. He then taught at Michigan State University and State University of New York at Binghamton. He had a post-doctoral fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University and was a Poynter Fellow in journalism at Yale University. Other academic positions Bode held included at DePauw University as the John D. Hughes University Professor and director of the University’s Ubben Lecture Series and later he became Dean of Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism (https://www.ijhf.org/members/2005/ken-bode, accessed December 11, 2023). Ken Bode was also a prolific writer and political editor of The New Republic Magazine. He served as political correspondent for CNN news, NBC News, including Nightly News, the Today Show, and Meet the Press. From 1994-1999 Ken Bode reported the news at PBS and was a well-respected host of Washington Week in Review. Ken Bode died in 2022 at age 83. An obituary in the New York Times published on June 8, 2022, called him “a bearded, bearish former political operative and television correspondence who armed with a Ph.D. in politics” who went on to major accomplishments in education, scholarship, politics, journalism, and media. Ken Bode got his start as an amazingly accomplished, active, and well-respected student at the University of South Dakota. Ken Bode in the Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities section of the 1961 Coyote yearbook.

In 1964, the University of South Dakota (USD) student newspaper, the Volante and the Vermillion Plain Talk mentioned USD Rodeo Club activities several times. That March the club signed a contract for livestock for the upcoming fourth annual intercollegiate rodeo held in Vermillion on May 2nd and 3rd. Events during those two days included a parade, a rodeo competition, and a dance. Colleges from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas participated. Highlighting the event was Charley James, a trick rider, roper, singer, and actor. Club member Debbie Beaty from Vermillion was crowned the rodeo queen. The USD Rodeo team placed second. Another 1964 Volante article stated that the USD Rodeo Club had such a good reputation that Jerry Olmstead, a standout rodeo performer from the University of North Dakota transferred to USD. Olmstead went on to successfully compete in several USD Rodeo Club events over the next two years. Later that summer USD rodeo teams competed in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Finals in Douglas, Wyoming. According to the 1965 Coyote yearbook, the USD participants “placed well”. The paragraph went on to state “There is no doubt that the club’s aim of promoting South Dakota’s western tradition on the USD campus has been achieved.” From June 30-July 2,1966, the USD Rodeo Club hosted the World Championship Intercollegiate Rodeo with hundreds of participants competing from colleges throughout the country. To get in the spirit even the Vermillion police were dressed as cowboys! The USD Rodeo club was a prominent student organization from 1960 until 1976. The club members’ excellent performances brought USD, local, state, and national recognition. Some 1964 USD Rodeo Club members. Jerry Olmstead is holding the second-place trophy. (USD Archives and Special Collections, 1965 Coyote yearbook)

The June 6, 1966, 84th annual spring commencement, marked the last time that President I. D. Weeks presided over a university graduation ceremony. The importance of this ceremony is clear from its gold program cover and the dignitaries present asked to comment on President Weeks’ many accomplishments for the university, the state, and nation. As part of the ceremony, President Week received a standing ovation from the 3,000 attendees. Dr. Howard R. Bowen, President of the University of Iowa, and Weeks’ friend presented the commencement address entitled “The Education Society” citing the demands educational institutes require to produce more knowledgeable citizens. Bowen would go on to become USD President from 1968 until 1976. President I. D. Weeks receiving a standing ovation. USD Archives and Special Collections. Negatives: Series 10; Number 9215.2. During the ceremony, members of the South Dakota Board of Regents conferred the degrees. Dr. Warren M. Lee, Dean of the College of Fine Arts, presented a tribute to President Weeks. This was followed by South Dakota Governor Nils A. Boe presenting President Weeks with a sculpted bronze plaque. The plaque states “I. D. Weeks President University of South Dakota 1935-1966. For thirty-one years President Weeks served this university as its president with fidelity, dedication, and effectiveness. Under his leadership, this institution attained the true statue of a state university. To this man, this record, and this service we pay tribute.” Fittingly, the plaque sits prominently on the second-floor northeast brick wall in the library that bears his name: I. D. Weeks Library that was completed in 1967. The plaque President I. D. Weeks received on June 6, 1966, in the I. D. Weeks Library. Photograph by Evelyn Schlenker

Constructed in 1954, the Danforth Meditation Chapel at the University of South Dakota (USD) is one of 15 university chapels funded in part by Danforth Foundation founded by William H. Danforth, owner of the Ralston Purina Company, and his wife. According to Danforth files in Buildings (USD Archives, USD Archives and Special Collections), a Corporation was formed to collect funds, hire an architect, and oversee the construction of the building. Several designs were suggested including some very modern. The final design, rendered by architect Professor Harold Brookman, was accepted and the subsequent building constructed. At the time of the building dedication, the windows in the building were not stained glass. According to a May 10, 1962, Vermillion Plain Talk article, memorial stained-glass windows were installed in the chapel during March of that year. A formal dedication ceremony was held on May 13, 1962. The article goes to describe the origin of the colorful geometric patterned stained-glass windows comprised of antique glass pieces from several European counties. Gaytree Studios from Minneapolis, Minnesota designed and installed the windows. The Danforth Chapel Corporation was instrumental in fundraising and management of this project. Remarkable are the quality and beauty of the windows located at the façade, sides and back of the chapel. Especially striking is the fan-shaped transom window with a soaring dove above the front entrance to the chapel. Many donors contributed towards the completion of this project. Under each window is a bronze plaque denoting the donor and the persons in whose memory the window was donated. Over the years several organizations including the Faculty Women’s Club members (USD Archives, USD Archives and Special Collections) contributed to the maintenance of the windows. Today, the University of South Dakota manages the building used by many individuals for religious and meditation purposes. The beautiful stained-glass windows contribute to the character of this small and iconic building. A recent photograph of Danforth Chapel on the USD campus. The transom stained-glass window above the entrance to the chapel. A stained-glass window located on the west side of the chapel. Below the window is the small bronze plaque denoting the donor of the window and whose memory the window was donated.

In 1967 the University of South Dakota (USD) library moved out of the Carnegie Building it occupied since 1911. An addition to the building doubled its capacity in 1940, but 25 years later it was too small to accommodate the increased needs of the students and faculty. The building became home to a museum. That summer the W. H. Over Dakotah Museum (now known as the W. H. Over Museum) collections were moved into the Carnegie building from the basement of Slagle Hall. At that time James Howard was director of the museum. In addition, Arne Larson was hired in 1967 as professor of music, bringing with him a large collection of instruments. The first picture depicts Howard and Larson standing in front of building holding hand drawn signs denoting the two organizations occupying the building: Arne Larson’s sign read “Shrine to Music”. Howard’s sign read “W. H. Over Dakotah Museum”. Another person occupying the building was the renowned artist and USD faculty member Oscar Howe who had a studio and later an art gallery in the building. One of Oscar Howe’s students was Robert (Bobby) Penn. As a work-study student Penn drew illustrations for Museum News covers. This publication denoted items of interest associated with museum activities and information about personnel staffing the museum. Penn is shown in the photograph below working on a museum illustration. Thus, 1967 was a pivotal year for the Over Museum (founded as the University Museum in 1883) whose recent move into the Carnegie building gave it more space for its exhibits and collections. Moreover, Larson’s influence in the Department of Music and on the collection and curation of musical instruments provided a seed for the future museum now known as the National Music Museum. Finally, the artwork of Bobby Penn, an undergraduate student, was already having an impact in the art world and continues to do so today. Arne Larson on the right and James Howard on the left in front of the Carnegie building. USD Archives and Special Collections, Series 10, negative # 9964.6. Bobby Penn. USD Archives and Special Collections, Series 10, negative # 9964.11.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower wrote a letter to University of South Dakota (USD) Dean Lewis E. Akeley dated May 26, 1958. At that time Dean Akeley was 97 years old. He arrived at the University of Dakota in 1887 (South Dakota became as state in 1889) and was a faculty member for 74 years. Akeley was Dean of the College of Engineering from 1908-1933. Many of his students that became world renowned. Eisenhower’s letter highlights two exceptional scientists, both Akeley’s students. The first was Carl A. Norgren a 1912 mechanical engineering USD graduate who was a designer and inventor of mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic devices. In 1926 Norgren formed the highly successful C. A. Norgren Company in Denver, Colorado. A long-time supporter of USD, Norgren donated funds to move the W. H. Over Museum from Slagle Hall to the Carnegie building and supported development of exhibits within the museum. In 1961, following Akeley’s death, Norgren also started the Akeley Scholarship in tribute to his mentor. Norgren was a close friend of Eisenhower’s. The other scientist Eisenhower highlighted was Dr. Ernest O. Lawrence, a Canton, South Dakota native, who graduated USD in 1922 under the mentorship of Dean Akeley. Lawrence went on to receive a doctorate in physics from Yale and spent his entire life at the University of California at Berkely. In 1939 he received the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on the cyclotron which helped unlock the secrets of the atom. Lawrence and Akeley remained close friends for all of Lawrence’s life. Lawrence died on August 27, 1958, a few months after Eisenhower’s letter was written. An important message in Eisenhower’s letter regarded Akeley’s mentorship of students and his passion to understand the atom’s secrets and its potential powers for society. Eisenhower referred to the pioneering work of Ernest and his brother John Lawrence, MD known as the father of nuclear medicine. USD Archives and Special Collections has a copy of Eisenhower’s letter that lauds Akeley as a teacher and mentor for his support extraordinary scholars and entrepreneurs. A copy of President Eisenhower’s letter to Dean Akeley. USD Archives and Special Collections, Series 10, #9993.1

In the summer of 1970 revered and highly respected traditional Oglala Sioux Teton chief, civic leader, and healer, Andrew Frank Fools Crow (circa 1890-1989) visited the University of South Dakota (USD) and met with students in the Upward Bound program. The purpose of the Upward Bound Program, started in 1966 at USD under the Institute of Indian Studies, was to prepare students from reservations in South Dakota for enrollment and success in universities. At that time, the director of was Wayne Evans raised with Lakota ways and language. Students spent eight weeks in the summer at the university studying academic and cultural programs. They were also tutored and encouraged to participate in conferences and powwows. An article in the June 15, 1971, Volante Summer News gives more details about the program. The image below depicts Fools Crow, dressed in full regalia, sitting on the lawn under a tree near Old Main talking to four students. Fools Crow spoke in Lakota and his grandson Everette Lone Hill, sitting by his side, translated for the students. According to the July 16, 1970, Vermillion Plain Talk article, Fools Crow talked about the Wiwanyank wacipi, the Sun Dance, Inipi, the Sweat Baththe Vision Quest and the peace pipe. Fools Crow promoted Lakota culture, legacy, identity, and language locally and nationally. His role as a mediator allowed him to negotiate a truce following the Wounded Knee occupation in 1973, and refusal of Federal monetary reparations for the Black Hills in 1980. Chief Frank Fools Crow talking to Upward Bound students with his grandson acting as interpreter. USD Archives and Special Collections. Negatives, Series 10 # 10423.6_1. An iconic photograph shows a rare portrait of Fools Crow. Not only was Fools Crow’s presence at USD celebrated in newspaper articles, KUSD TV videotaped the encounter. Moreover, two books describe Fools Crow’s colorful life and spiritual philosophy. A 1974 interview with Fools Crow is in the South Dakota Oral History Center. Although the interview is in Lakota, it is transcribed into English. Chief Frank Fools Crow. USD Archives and Special Collections. Negatives, Series 10 # 10423.2_2. Thus, these images contribute to the legacy of the USD Upward Bound and the successful efforts for mentors and counselors to help students achieve their goals. After 58 years, Upward Bound still exists and thrives under the TRIO program.