University of Sioux Falls
Encyclopedia
The University of Sioux Falls is a private, liberal arts
college
affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA
. It is also commonly called USF.
gathered in Vermillion, South Dakota
, 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 College and graduated its first four-year class.
In 1929, Des Moines University closed and transferred its records to Sioux Falls College. Two years later, Grand Island College of Nebraska merged with Sioux Falls College 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 1960s, 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 1970s 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 Sioux Falls Seminary
.
In the 1980s, 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.
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.
Currently there are 1200 undergraduate students. There is a total student enrollment of approximately 1600. Recent campus improvements have involved two new residence halls Collier Baker and Sullivan. The business school was built in 2002. The student union was recently renovated along with Pierce Hall. A new football field, soccer field, stadium and field house are being constructed.
and the Great Plains Athletic Conference
until 2011. On April 28, 2009 the University board of Trustees voted to leave the NAIA and apply to join the NCAA
Division II. Starting with the 2011-2012 school year, USF will be a provisional NCAA Division II member and then a full member starting in 2012-2013. At that time they will join the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
.
. It specializes in playing indie rock. The Vessel is the university's student run campus newspaper.
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
affiliated with the American Baptist Churches USA
American Baptist Churches USA
The American Baptist Churches USA is a Baptist Christian denomination within the United States. The denomination maintains headquarters in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The organization is usually considered mainline, although varying theological and mission emphases may be found among its...
. It is also commonly called USF.
History
On June 5, 1872, pastors and delegates of nine Baptist churches in what was then called the Dakota TerritoryDakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
gathered in Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion, South Dakota
Vermillion is a city in and the county seat of Clay County, in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the tenth largest city in the state. According to the 2010 Census, the population was 10,571. Vermillion lies atop a bluff near the Missouri River.The area has been home to...
, 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 College and graduated its first four-year class.
In 1929, Des Moines University closed and transferred its records to Sioux Falls College. Two years later, Grand Island College of Nebraska merged with Sioux Falls College 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 1960s, 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 1970s 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
Augustana College (South Dakota)
Augustana College is a private, liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States. The campus makes the school the largest private university in South Dakota...
and Sioux Falls Seminary
Sioux Falls Seminary
Sioux Falls Seminary, formerly known as North American Baptist Seminary, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, is the main seminary of the North American Baptist Conference, formerly an association of ethnic German Baptist churches....
.
In the 1980s, 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.
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.
Currently there are 1200 undergraduate students. There is a total student enrollment of approximately 1600. Recent campus improvements have involved two new residence halls Collier Baker and Sullivan. The business school was built in 2002. The student union was recently renovated along with Pierce Hall. A new football field, soccer field, stadium and field house are being constructed.
Athletics
The Cougars competed in the NAIANational Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
and the Great Plains Athletic Conference
Great Plains Athletic Conference
The Great Plains Athletic Conference is a college athletic conference affiliated with the NAIA. Member institutions are located in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota...
until 2011. On April 28, 2009 the University board of Trustees voted to leave the NAIA and apply to join the NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
Division II. Starting with the 2011-2012 school year, USF will be a provisional NCAA Division II member and then a full member starting in 2012-2013. At that time they will join the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
The Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the Midwestern United States. Nine of its members are in Minnesota, with two members in South Dakota and one member each in the states of Iowa, Nebraska and North Dakota. It participates in the NCAA's...
.
Campus organizations
USF has a number of student activities and organizations, including:- Flying Club
- Science Club
- Fellowship of Christian AthletesFellowship of Christian AthletesThe Fellowship of Christian Athletes is a non-profit interdenominational Christian organization founded in 1954 and that has been based in Kansas City, Missouri since 1956. It falls within the tradition of Muscular Christianity. Although established by evangelical Protestants, the concept has...
- Alpha Chi
- Business Club
- Alpha Psi OmegaAlpha Psi OmegaAlpha Psi Omega National Theatre Honor Society is an American recognition honor society recognizing participants in collegiate theatre. The Alpha Cast was founded at Fairmont State College on August 12, 1925 by professor Paul F...
- Law and Justice Club
- Campus Crusade
- Student Senate
- MENC-C, future Music Educators
Student media
The college operates a radio station, 94.5 FM KCFSKCFS
KCFS is a radio station broadcasting a Variety radio format. Licensed to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA, the station serves the Sioux Falls area. The station is currently owned by University of Sioux Falls....
. It specializes in playing indie rock. The Vessel is the university's student run campus newspaper.
External links
- University of Sioux Falls, official website
- Athletic Homepage