Identifier

UA 3.1

Dates

1886-1982

Extent

6.84 linear feet (6 records center boxes, 2 small document cases)

Abstract

David F. Pearson began his career as a professor of Economics at South Dakota State College in 1957. In 1959, President Briggs appointed him Special Assistant to the president. In 1973, he was name to the newly created position of Vice President of Administration. The collection contains files from the office of David F. Pearson while serving as Vice President for Administration and consists mainly of correspondence and files dealing with the F. O. Butler Foundation, the engineering controversy of the early 1970s, and material dealing with the celebration of the United States Bicentennial celebration on the campus of South Dakota State University.

Historical Note

The Executive Vice President for Administration provides leadership and supervision for the support, service, and administrative units on campus. Overall responsibilities include financial management, personnel services, buildings and grounds, student services, legal affairs, public relations, policy development, campus planning, and support for alumni and foundation affairs.

David Pearson received a law degree from the University of South Dakota and returned to South Dakota State University in 1957 serving as an Assistant Professor of Economics. In 1959, President Briggs appointed him Special Assistant to the President. He retained his teaching position, attaining Professor status in July, 1965. In 1973, President Briggs named him to the newly created position of Vice President for Administration. In reality, many of the duties Pearson was assigned from 1959 to 1973 were essentially the same as those formally given to him after 1973. In addition, he headed the Greater State Fund, which has grown into what we now know as the SDSU Foundation. David Pearson retired in August, 1980. He died July 10, 1990.

Content Notes

This collection is composed of files from the office of David F. Pearson while serving as Vice President for Administration. Folders consist mainly of correspondence and files dealing with the F. O. Butler Foundation, the engineering controversy of the early 1970s, and material dealing with the celebration of the United States Bicentennial celebration on the campus of South Dakota State University.

The correspondence is composed of correspondence sent and received by David F. Pearson while service was Vice President for Administration.

The F.O. Butler Foundation files are composed of material dealing with the organization of the F.O. Butler Foundation at South Dakota State University. Folders contain approved requests, Articles of Incorporation, campus enrichment, and correspondence files.

Engineering controversy files are composed of material dealing with the controversy surrounding the possible removal of the College of Engineering from South Dakota State University in the early 1970s. Folders contain correspondence, analysis, departmental actions, clippings, and master plan material.

The bicentennial celebration files are composed of material dealing with the celebration of the United States Bicentennial on the campus of South Dakota State University. Folders consist of budget and proposal material, committee minutes, calendar of events, and correspondence.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

Follow this link for more information:

https://www.sdstate.edu/sdsu-archives-and-special-collections/university-archives

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

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