Northern State University

In the thriving late 19th century, Aberdeen, South Dakota, underwent a boom in population growth. The northern South Dakotans, dynamic and progressive, yearned for a state-funded higher education institution. Here's a little secret: in 1885, there was a legislative pass, whispering the birth of the University of Central Dakota at petite town Ordway. But hold your horses! The journey was anything but smooth. Two years later, Governor Louis K. Church stalled the project owing to financial constraints and sparse statewide support.

The dawn of 20th century witnessed a resurgence in Aberdeen’s population. In the winter chill of January 7, 1899, state legislitor James Marshall Lawson, affectionately regarded as the pioneer of the Northern Normal and Industrial School, put forth a meticulously revised proposition to create the school in Aberdeen. However, the school was but a figment of paperwork as a site and funding were required.

Enter Aberdeen's well-off citizens, generously extending their lands for the embryonic school, with a council-created committee tasked to select the site. Now, who were these magnanimous individuals? Names like Lawson, Ira Barnes, W.F.T. Bushnell, C.F. Easton, F.W. Brooks, Ed Askew, B.C. Lamont, William Tennant, W.G. Bickellhaupt, and Andrew Melgaard adorned this noble group. They convened regularly in early 1899, culminating in a springtime adjournment without decision-making.

By late 1899, Governor Andrew E. Lee zeroed in on the land south of the city which was owned by Melgaard and D.C. & W.R. Thomas of Watertown. But they had to be compensated for the state to take ownership. Two half-blocks were sold by the Thomases to the state for a mere dollar while Melgaard received $1,300 for his 20-acre plot. All set, almost! The state was now responsible for constructing the school, situated perfectly at the intersection of the southern and eastern branches of the Milwaukee Railroad.

Governor Herreid on March 6, 1901, sanctioned $28,000 for the construction and an additional $2,000 for the erection of a heating plant. Yes, you've heard it right, a heating plant. Supervised by the Board of Regents, the construction was to be wrapped up and fit for students by September 1, 1902. More provisions were devised for salaries, lights, fuel, furniture and even maintenance.

Let's introduce you to the first president of the Northern Normal and Industrial School, the visionary Charles F. Koehler. He was a man on a mission, to offer students comprehensive academic studies. Admission couldn't have been simpler. All you needed was to be 14 and possess an itch to teach. Those with a high school diploma were enrolled into a one-year "High School Course" to prepare them to become teachers, while those who had finished eighth grade had the option of a four-year "English Course" or "Latin Course.”

Ever-evolving, Northern Normal and Industrial School witnessed a series of transformations in policy, practices, and infrastructure in its initial years besides hosting several unique events. Fill your cup with pride when you learn that on October 23, 1911, President William Howard Taft graced us with his speech on foreign policy and the role of Normal school.

However, times of glory were short-lived as United States was plunged into World War I in April 1917. Swift patriotic response came from the students and the faculty alike with parades, patriotic song signing, flag waving and even war fronts. The aftermath of the war beheld a dip in teacher numbers in South Dakota's rural areas. The state promptly created Normal Departments in four-year high schools.

This was a particularly rough patch for NNIS since teaching in South Dakota now didn't mandate attending it. In response to dwindling enrollment, President Harold Foght pushed for professionalizing the teaching occupation and making it mandatory to be certified to teach. Northern State Teachers College became the new face of the school renamed in 1939.

The institution sailed through the rough waters of the Depression and World War II under the watchful eyes and leadership of President Noah E. Steele (1939-1951) and metamorphosed into Northern State College in 1964. The subsequent two decades witnessed enhanced quality of education and major infrastructural transformations. The crowning glory came in 1987 when it received the second-highest classification from the Carnegie Commission granted to any South Dakota College or University: Comprehensive I Institution. Soon after, in February 1989, it found its final name and recognition as Northern State University.