Old Main
Old Main was the first building on campus, and is now recognized as the building that gave rise to this ever-growing university. The building of Old Main began in February of 1891 when the North Dakota State Legislature appropriated $25,000 towards its construction. The building was fully completed by 1893. At that time, the university was known as North Dakota Agricultural College and Old Main was referred to as College Hall. In 1891 the first cornerstone was laid and a dedication ceremony commenced. It is said that at the dedication, there was no flag available to raise in its honor, so students made a pennant with a pair of overalls. By the end of 1891 the lower level was completed, and College Hall was officially open for use on January 3, 1892.In 1983, an additional $3,000 was appropriated by the legislation to officially complete the building. College Hall was home to many events and had a variety of uses. It housed classrooms, offices and laboratories for students and faculty to use. Other spaces included a chapel, library, Little Country Theatre and even a gymnasium. Over the years the spaces have been remodeled to meet new purposes. The chapel is now known as the log cabin and is used as a meeting room. The theatre has since been replaced, but if you know which ceiling tile to push up you can still see its original flooring. The original floor is currently hidden between the third and fourth floor of the building.The building was also renamed as Old Main, and today is home to North Dakota State University’s administration offices such as the President, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President for Business and Finance, Vice President for Student Engagement and Inclusion, Vice President for University Relations, and Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Global Outreach. The building has undergone both minor and major remodeling over the years.Sources: North Dakota State University. "Old Main," Accessed October 15, 2016. https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::280 North Dakota State University Archives. “Old Main,” Accessed October 15, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/ Current Photo of Old Main by Courtney Johnson Old Photo of Old Main, NDSU Archives https://flic.kr/p/86KDzH
John Worst
John Worst spent much of his life working in education. Worst was born on December 23, 1850 in Ohio. Not much is known about his early years, however, we do know that he spent several years during his early adulthood alternating between attending college and teaching in local schools. He would eventually receive an honorary LL.D. degree from Ashland College. In 1883, Worst moved and homesteaded in Emmons County, Dakota Territory. He continued his involvement in schools, and was ultimately elected county superintendent of those schools. He would hold this position for six years. After serving as superintendent, he was elected state senator where he served two terms and eventually became lieutenant governor of North Dakota in 1894. In 1895 he got back into the education world by becoming the president of North Dakota Agricultural College. While he was not the first president of the college, Worst is considered to be one of the most influential.During his administration, faculty and staff numbers increased, and student attendance grew rapidly. He played an important role in convincing Andrew Carnegie to support the building of the first campus library. Throughout his tenure as president, the campus received ten new buildings, and various gardens and trees were planted around campus as well. One of the gardens was built to honor the students that served in the Spanish-American War in 1898. In 1937, a stone was placed to mark the spot of it. Worst retired from the university in 1916 and became State Commissioner of Immigration in 1919 until he officially retired in 1923. John Worst passed away on September 25, 1945. An exclusive collection of his reports and correspondence can be found at the North Dakota State University Archives.Sources: North Dakota State University Archives, Finding Aid: President John H. Worst Papers (Institute For Regional Studies and University Archives, North Dakota State Libraries, 2009), http://library.ndsu.edu/tools/dspace/load/?file=/repository/bitstream/handle/10365/4515/3.3%20-%20President%20Worst.pdf?sequence=2 Photograph of John Worst, NDSU Archives https://flic.kr/p/8XG8Xh
Clarence Putnam
Clarence Putnam was always a musician at heart, but he began his professional career on a different path. Putnam was born on September 16, 1859 in Barre, Vermont. He received his education from Barre Academy and Dartmouth College. With some convincing from his mother, Putnam then went on to attend Hahnemann Medical College in Chicago where he graduated in 1883. Through all of this, music remained an important part of his life. He stayed active in various musical groups and even directed a band at the young age of 17. Between the years of 1883 and 1903 Putnam practiced medicine in various cities throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. In 1904, a fire broke out in the Edwards Building in Fargo, destroying his medical office. It was during that year that his career switched over to music.After the fire, Putnam began teaching music courses at the North Dakota Agricultural College. Small-scale band classes would eventually lead to the formation of the Gold Star Marching Band, which to this day still receives national recognition. In addition to starting the school’s marching band, he founded various other groups including, a concert orchestra, girl's and boy's glee clubs, and a string ensemble. Putnam also composed the music to the school song, The Yellow and the Green, with lyrics written by Archibald E. Minard. When Minard brought the lyrics to Putnam he said, “I had but one request, that the music for them should not run so high or so low as to be hard for an ordinary voice to sing it easily.” Putnam is known for writing yet another highly praised song, the North Dakota’s state song, The North Dakota Hymn.Putnam married Bertha Townsend and together they had four children. He passed away on February 25, 1944. His compositions along with an interview can be found at the North Dakota State University Archives.Sources:North Dakota State University Archives, Finding Aid: Clarence S. Putnam Collection (Institute For Regional Studies and University Archives, North Dakota State Libraries, 2010) http://library.ndsu.edu/tools/dspace/load/?file=/repository/bitstream/handle/10365/300/Mss0024.pdf?sequence=7 Dr. Thomas Isern, "The Yellow and the Green." http://historyrfd.net/isern/life/yellow.htm Photograph of Clarence Putnam, NDSU Archives https://flic.kr/p/8oZxkd
Putnam Hall
Between 1886 and 1919 industrialist Andrew Carnegie donated more than $40 million dollars towards the construction of libraries in various communities all across America. This was the way many Americans were first able to gather information and be introduced to the creativity of reading. It is Carnegie who we have to thank for Putnam Hall. The idea to build Putnam Hall was proposed in 1903 with a simple letter. B. F. Spalding, who at the time was a Representative at Large for North Dakota in the U.S. Congress, wrote to Carnegie with a request for funds to build a library and chapel for North Dakota Agricultural College. In his letter, Spalding asked Carnegie for $35,000-$40,000 for the project. He received a response from James Bentram, Carnegie’s private secretary, saying that he currently was not working on projects for colleges, but would keep it in mind for later. In 1904, NDAC’s President John Worst wrote another letter to Carnegie, this time requesting $50,000 to build a library and chapel that would be able to hold 1,000 students. This letter was met with a positive response. Bentram responded with good news about the library and also asked about various other buildings on campus and the cost of upkeep for the current library and enrollment numbers. He also mentioned the only minimal amount of negative news that NDAC received, being that a chapel would not be constructed. Putnam Hall used to be the central location for the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences as well as the Department of History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. They have since moved to Minard, and Putnam Hall is now home to Graduate School and Interdisciplinary Studies.North Dakota State University. “Putnam Hall,” Accessed October 15, 2016. https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::391 National Park Service. “Carnegie Libraries: The Future Made Bright,” Accessed October 15, 2016 https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/50carnegie/50carnegie.htm Current Photo of Putnam Hall By Courtney Johnson Old Photo of Putnam Hall, NDSU Archives: https://flic.kr/p/87C8U6
South Engineering
South Engineering, a three-story building that was constructed in 1907, held more than the name would suggest. It stands 80 feet by 90 feet and cost around $65,000 to construct. When it was completed, it housed lectures, classrooms, laboratories for a wide variety of subjects such as Mechanical Engineering and Freehand Drawing. They did however built a special area for Lyceum of Engineers as that was the buildings main purpose. The ceremony for official opening occurred on January 25, 1908. The Board of Trustees designated the building as a place devoted specifically to the various fields of engineering such as mechanical, civil, steam, and physics. South Engineering houses five classrooms and two lecture rooms that can hold around a hundred students.The floors of engineering were mostly designated to specific classes and labs. Starting with the first floor, visitors would see three laboratories that were used for many engineering classes in order to test various engineering instruments and material. They were also used for cement investigation and electrical standardization. The first floor is also the location of a reading room, the Engineer’s club, and also an engineering museum. Half of the second floor is consumed by physics lecture room and various laboratories. The third floor is where you would find some classes besides engineering. On this floor various drawing classes would take place such as freehand, mechanical drawing and blue print work. The reason behind this is that the buildings location and windows provided that best lighting needed to conduct such classes. For 100 years, 1893-1993, this building was connected to the Mechanic Arts Building which would later be called Engineering Laboratories Building. Today it is home to our Physics Department.NDSU Archives Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ndsu-university-archives/sets/72157624407717854 NDSU Archvies Flickr: https://flic.kr/p/8ffk61
Archibald Minard
Archibald Minard impacted NDAC in many different ways and over a long period of time. Minard was born in Nova Scotia on January 18th, 1878. When he was 11 years old, he moved to the United States with his parents. Upon earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Harvard, he became a professor of English and Philosophy at NDAC in 1904. Minard worked his way up to becoming the head of the English Department. When D.L. Coulter resigned as president in 1929, Minard was named acting president from July to September 1929. During that time and until 1949, he served as the Dean of the School of Applied Arts and Sciences. After 1949, when he retired as dean, he continued to teach philosophy. As a token of gratitude, NDSU renamed Science Hall to Minard Hall in 1951. [1]Fun fact about Archibald Minard is that in 1908, he helped create the school song that we still use today. The university had been in existence for 18 years and still did not have a school song. He wanted to incorporate the school colors, yellow and green, with North Dakota’s landscape and characteristics. Minard thought he could use his song as well for the State’s song. Minard wrote the lyrics and then took the song to Clarence Putnam, the head of the music department at the time. “The Yellow And The Green” did become the University's official school song, but it did make it as the state’s song as Minard would have hoped. Instead, Putnam wrote the music for what became the state's song in 1947 and used the lyrics from James W. Foley’s “The North Dakota Hymn.” There has been some controversy surrounding the school song. In the third stanza of the song, it speaks of the red man scavenging the land for scraps, while the white anglo saxons prevail and conquer the prairies. Nonetheless, Minard wrote a beautiful song that we still use today at NDSU. Sources:Finding Aid to the President Archibald Ellsworth. University Archives. North Dakota State University, Fargo. Isern, Thomas. “The Yellow and the Green.” Accessed October 18th, http://historyrfd.net/isern/life/yellow.htm. Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/8XaKid.
Minard Hall
Originally named Science Hall, Minard was built in 1902. The building was built in three stages. The first stage housed the science departments such as biology, geology, horticulture, and mathematics. In 1918, A fourth floor was added and this was where the museum was suppose to be laid out. Finally, a third section of the building was built in 1929. This building was named in honor of Dean A. E. Minard, who spent 46 years at NDAC. However, the building collapsed in on itself in 2011. Construction and remodeling soon began and it was not completed until 2013. Currently, it houses four different colleges with 17 classrooms, computer labs, as well as the psychology lab in the basement devoted to research. There is also acoffee shop located in the connection between Minard and the Reineke Fine Arts Center. The 4th floor use to be where the dances were held in the 1920s. [1] [2]Legend has it that a janitor went up there the morning after the dance and found two people murdered. The investigators thought it was a double homicide. In the 1960s the 4th floor was changed to a zoology lab, but there still were some reports saying that students felt a “presence” up there. [3]Bedsaul, Jason. "NDSU Archives Main Page: Timeline." Accessed October 15, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/ndsuarchives/ North Dakota State University. "Minard Hall." Accessed October 15, 2016. https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::381 The Shadowland. "Haunted Places in North Dakota." Accessed October 15, 2016. http://www.theshadowlands.net/places/northdakota.htm Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/8gkLhy
Morrill Hall
This building is dedicated to man that made land grant universities possible, Justin Smith Morrill. He was a U.S. Representative that saw that value of scholarship, teaching, learning, and culture. So on July 2nd, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Land Grant Act into law. What is interesting is that each land grant school has a Morrill Hall. Iowa State? Their Morrill Hall is an Art Museum. The University of Tennessee? It is a residence hall.The construction of the building began in 1922. It is the only campus building solely devoted to agriculture. The original name for the building was the Agricultural Building, but on NDSU's 75th Anniversary, it was renamed to Morrill Hall. It now holds the College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources. [1] [2]Bedsaul, Jason. "NDSU Archives Main Page: Timeline." Accessed October 15, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/ndsuarchives/ North Dakota State University. "Morrill Hall." Accessed October 15, 2016. https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::382 Photo by Courtney Johnson. Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/8ikUeF.
Edwin Ladd
Edwin F. Ladd was not always a man of the North Dakota prairies. He was born in Starks, Maine on December 13, 1859. There he attended public school and eventually graduated from the University of Maine at Orono in 1884 with a degree in chemistry. He began his career as chemist working at New York State Experiment Station from 1884-1890. In 1890, he was chosen by H. E. Stockbridge to become the Professor of Chemistry at the newly founded North Dakota Agricultural College. Ladd accepted, and became the first chemistry professor at the university. Besides working as a professor for the university, Ladd also used his chemistry degree to work for the Agricultural Experiment Station in Fargo. Throughout his career at NDAC, Ladd worked his way up the professional ladder. He started as a professor and through hard work and dedication, eventually found himself as the Dean of the School of Chemistry and Pharmacy. In 1916, he gained his most important title as president of the college. However, Ladd was far from done. In 1921, he was elected to serve North Dakota in the United States Senate. Over his lengthy and assorted career, Ladd worked on topics such as food adulteration and pure food laws. His work and expertise in these areas helped him attain an impressive nationwide reputation.Among all of his success, Ladd remarkably found the time to get married and raise a family as well. He married Rizpah Sprogle and together they had eight children. Ladd was also involved in various chemistry and agricultural societies over the years such as, American Chemical Society, Society of Chemical Industries, and the Society for the Promotion of Agricultural Science. He was editor of the North Dakota Farmer from 1899-1904 and wrote numerous publications. Edwin Ladd passed away on June 22, 1925 and is buried in the Glenwood, Maryland cemetery. In 1952, the university rededicated the new chemistry building and named it Ladd Hall after him. A select few of his papers and works can be found in the North Dakota State University Archives.Sources:North Dakota State University Archives, Finding Aid: Edwin F. Ladd Collection (Institute For Regional Studies and University Archives, North Dakota State Libraries, 2009) http://library.ndsu.edu/tools/dspace/load/?file=/repository/bitstream/handle/10365/231/Mss0090.pdf?sequence=6 Photograph of Edwin Ladd, NDSU Archive https://flic.kr/p/8oZxVG
Ladd Hall
The first Chemistry classes on campus were held in the basement of College Hall, but with the continuing growth of the Chemistry department, it was clear a new space would be needed. In 1905 that need was fulfilled when the state legislature appropriated $50,000 for the construction of a new Chemistry building. The new building was built between Old Main and South Engineering and was open for use in 1906. After three short years, the new Chemistry building went up in flames.It was about 7pm on Christmas Eve in 1909 when flames were first noticed in the building. Fargo firefighters had poor conditions to fight the fire. The combination of malfunctioning fire hydrants, low water pressure, and the presence of snow held them back from being able to successfully save the building. Debris flew from the Chemistry building and started smaller fires in both the Library and Engineering building. The Chemistry building was a complete loss, and the fire caused an estimated $75,000 in damages. Professor Edwin Ladd lost around $800 in personal belongings. While they were not able to find an exact cause of the fire, it was assumed that it was started by an electrical wire.Not long after the detrimental and tragic fire, a new “fireproof” building was built in 1910. It was similar in style to that of the old Chemistry building and contained a greenhouse and a square tower, which was the location for the college weather station. In 1952, this new Chemistry building was rededicated as Ladd Hall. Its name honors the first chemistry professor for NDAC, Edwin Ladd. He later became university president in 1916 after President Worst resigned. Sources:North Dakota State University Archives. “Chemistry Building,” Accessed October 15, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/?q=content/chemistry-building Current Photo of Ladd Hall by Courtney Johnson. Old Photo of Chemistry Building, NDSU Archives https://flic.kr/p/8f1WYU
Stevens Hall
On October 17th, 1885, O.A. Stevens was born on a farm near Blue Rapids, Kansas. At a young age, Stevens would steal his older sister’s botany textbook and read about the interesting plants and animals of the world. He would then go on to college at Kansas State College and eventually teach at his alma mater. What brought him to the North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) in 1909 was the new pure seed and drug law as well as the brand new State Seed Laboratory. This meant that there was an opening for a seed analyst. He worked his way up to an associate professor in 1926, and then became a full professor in 1947. Stevens worked for 47 years at NDSU, but continued to stay around and conduct research. Stevens has written and published more than 200 hundred articles in 40 different scholarly journals on topics ranging from plants, weeds, birds, and North Dakota towns. One of his more interesting accomplishments came in 1917. Stevens was studying weeds in America that came from Europe and sent lamb’s quarters to the United States National Herbarium for analysis. Another scientist, Dr. Paul Allen of Switzerland, wanted the lamb samples as well. Those samples that Allen got had one species that had not yet been cataloged yet. Thus, Dr. Allen named the species Stevensii in his honor.Dr. Stevens is known around the nation and world as being one of the top botanists of his time. [1]In 1968, a 1.3 million dollar building that would house biology, zoology, geography, and wildlife management was named in Dr. Stevens honor. Retirement was not much of a retirement for Stevens because he still continued to conduct research and write on campus. What was remarkable about this man was that he rarely drove his car; he would ride or walk to school even into his 80s. Colleagues would see him come to work in the morning at 5:30 am and wouldn’t leave until the sun went down. Stevens worked at NDSU until he suffered a stroke in 1976. His wife, Julia, then moved to California to be closer to family. In 1979, Stevens died surrounded by family. NDSU will forever be grateful for his research in the botany field for his research and academic contributions. [2]Sources:NDSU Archives, "Finding Aid to the O.A. Stevens Papers." Accessed November 2, 2016. http://library.ndsu.edu/tools/dspace/load/?file=/repository/bitstream/handle/10365/478/Stevens%2cO.A.Papers.pdf?sequence=5 North Dakota State University. "Stevens Hall." Accessed November 2, 2016. https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::409 Photo by NDSU Archives. https://flic.kr/p/8AHs4x Photo by NDSU Archives. https://flic.kr/p/8AHs3T
Saddle & Sirlion Club
J.H Sheppard, once Professor of Agriculture and President of North Dakota Agricultural College, spent time in Chicago at the International Judging Contest. He believed that NDAC should have an organization like this because it would increase the animal husbandry interest on campus. So in March 1918,Little International Livestock Show, sponsored the Saddle and Sirloin Club and held in Sheppard Arena each February, circa 1960. [3]Saddle and Sirloin Club was born and still thrives today. [1]The biggest event that S&S club puts on is Little International. This is a livestock show held year in Shepperd Arena, which was named after the founder , J.P. Shepperd. 2017 will be its 95th year of the event! What makes this event unique is that it is entirely run by the students involved. Students can show beef, dairy, sheep, and swine in competitions. They can also compete in public speaking, ham curing, hippology, and photography competitions. During the weekend, an individual is recognized for his or her work in agriculture. There is also a royalty crowned, as well as other fun events such sausage making and a picnic. To make this event that spectacular, groups of students meet all year round to talk and organize the events. Little International is a campus wide event that students look forward to all year round. [2]Sources:NDSU Archives, "Finding Aid to the President J.H Sheppard Papers." Accessed November 3, 2016. http://library.ndsu.edu/tools/dspace/load/?file=/repository/bitstream/handle/10365/4511/3.8%20-%20President%20Shepperd.pdf?sequence=6 Saddle and Sirloin. "About Us." Accessed November 3, 2016. http://www.ndsusaddleandsirloin.com/page3 Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/8oTWL8
Shepperd Arena
In March of 1952 at the 5th annual North Dakota Spring Market Hog Show, the NDAC Livestock Pavillion was renamed the Shepperd Arena. This building can hold 1,500 people, and it has as well arrival rooms for the livestock and and a meat laboratory. In the 1970s, the arena grew and expanded its meat laboratory. Little International, Shepperd Arena’s biggest event of the year, uses the arena for livestock judging as well as the “Dance In The Chips” Dance to end the weekend. Today, the building is also home for the NDSU Meat Lab facilities, as well as classrooms to teach equine, livestock, and meat classes.[1]J.H. Shepperd was influential to NDAC’s agricultural and animal husbandry early success. Born on an Iowa farm in 1869, he then went to graduate at Iowa Agricultural College and then received a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural science from Iowa State in 1891. In 1893, he went to get a master’s in Agriculture at the University of Wisconsin. It was in that same year that he came to NDAC and was named Professor of Agriculture and the Agriculturalist of the North Dakota Experiment Station. 1906 was when he became dean of the School of Agriculture as well as still an acting professor.The year 1929 not only effect the United States, but NDAC as well. The crash of the stock market affected staff numbers, salaries, and standing budgets. When the president of the university left in 1929, Shepperd was named acting president and then was offered the position in March of 1930. Because of disagreements with the Board of Administration, Shepperd resigned in 1937. J.H. Shepperd expanded the agricultural and meat science departments greatly and influenced its success today.[2]North Dakota State University. "Shepperd Arena." Accessed November 3, 2016. https://www.ndsu.edu/alphaindex/buildings/Building::405 NDSU Archives. "Findng Aid to the President John H. Shepperd Papers."Accessed November 2, 2016. http://library.ndsu.edu/tools/dspace/load/?file=/repository/bitstream/handle/10365/4511/3.8%20-%20President%20Shepperd.pdf?sequence=6 Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/8oTWZx
Sudro Hall
Dacotah Field was first built in 1910 and has undergone various changes over the years. Its first location was just northeast of Festival Concert Hall. It was a simple set up and wasn’t enclosed at first. That problem was solved thanks to Mr. C.F. Leonard, a representative from the American Steel and Wire Fence Company, when he kindly donated fencing. The fencing was described to be substantial and artistic. The dimensions of this first fence had a distance of eight feet to the inside and paralleling the fence. The planners also planted a hedge around the field. This hedge was used to make the field more appealing and to block out people’s views from the outside. It took a while for the hedge to grow tall enough to block out views so a temporary wall was used for it during that time.In 1938, Dacotah field under went one of its first big changes. As part of the Works Progress Administration construction projects, a quarter mile track and 7,000 seat stadium were added to Dacotah Field. About ten years later, Dacotah Field would relocate to its current spot on campus and was open in time for the 1950 football season. In 1952, a fire occurred and destroyed roughly two-thirds of Dacotah Field’s wooden bleachers. The bleachers got a big update in 1972 thanks to the New England Patriots, the wooden bleachers were removed and a 7,000 seat grandstand was built. Dacotah Field began yet another transformation in 2013. It got refurbished seating, new sound system, and better lights which lead to it being used more. Today, it is home to NDSU Women’s Soccer team and used by a variety of other athletic teams as a practice facility. In the winter time you can see a bubble placed over Dacotah Field for that exact reason.Sources:Kris Kerman, "Throwback Thursday: The first Bison football team," Inforum, August 27, 2015,http://www.inforum.com/news/3825829-throwback-thursday-first-bison-football-team. North Dakota State Athletics, Dacotah Field, http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=30 Old Photo of Dacotah Field, NDSU Archives: https://flic.kr/p/95T2NH
Dacotah Field
Dacotah Field was first built in 1910 and has undergone various changes over the years. Its first location was just northeast of Festival Concert Hall. It was a simple set up and wasn’t enclosed at first. That problem was solved thanks to Mr. C.F. Leonard, a representative from the American Steel and Wire Fence Company, when he kindly donated fencing. The fencing was described to be substantial and artistic. The dimensions of this first fence had a distance of eight feet to the inside and paralleling the fence. The planners also planted a hedge around the field. This hedge was used to make the field more appealing and to block out people’s views from the outside. It took a while for the hedge to grow tall enough to block out views so a temporary wall was used for it during that time.In 1938, Dacotah field under went one of its first big changes. As part of the Works Progress Administration construction projects, a quarter mile track and 7,000 seat stadium were added to Dacotah Field. About ten years later, Dacotah Field would relocate to its current spot on campus and was open in time for the 1950 football season. In 1952, a fire occurred and destroyed roughly two-thirds of Dacotah Field’s wooden bleachers. The bleachers got a big update in 1972 thanks to the New England Patriots, the wooden bleachers were removed and a 7,000 seat grandstand was built. Dacotah Field began yet another transformation in 2013. It got refurbished seating, new sound system, and better lights which lead to it being used more. Today, it is home to NDSU Women’s Soccer team and used by a variety of other athletic teams as a practice facility. In the winter time you can see a bubble placed over Dacotah Field for that exact reason.Sources:Kris Kerman, "Throwback Thursday: The first Bison football team," Inforum, August 27, 2015,http://www.inforum.com/news/3825829-throwback-thursday-first-bison-football-team. North Dakota State Athletics, Dacotah Field, http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=30 Old Photo of Dacotah Field, NDSU Archives: https://flic.kr/p/95T2NH
Sanford Health Athletic Complex/Bison Sports Arena
Originally built as the "Field House and Physical Education Classroom Building" in October 1970 the Bison Sports Arena (BSA) has been home to a variety of events. Its initial building cost was $3.1 million, which included $1.75 million in state-appropriated funds. When it was first built it housed many intramural activities and physical education events but gradually grew to house some varsity athletic events such as men’s and women’s basketball and wrestling. Over the years it has also hosted some state high school events and the university’s winter commencement. In 2001 and 2005 President George W. Bush came to Fargo and spoke at the BSA. The seating for the BSA was roughly around 5,830 people, including chair back seats for 1,851 on the upper level. The main floor of the BSA was home to various team locker rooms, meeting rooms, and training facilities. It was also the location for athletic administrations offices as well as media and ticket offices. The second level was home to Bison Athletic Hall of Fame display, athletic teams’ weight room, and the McCormick Wrestling Complex.In 2013 it was decided that the BSA would receive an update that was long overdue. Construction for the new facility finished in 2016 and it was named the Sanford Health Athletic Complex (SHAC) and houses the Scheels Center which is home to NDSU men’s and women’s basketball and wrestling. It also includes Nodak Mutual Basketball Performance Center as added practice courts. The new complex seat 5,700 people and includes numerous other facilities. The SHAC is the new location for athletic team locker rooms, strength and conditioning facilities, sports medicine and rehabilitation areas, an academic center for student-athletes, and athletic administrative offices.Sources:North Dakota State Athletics, Bison Sports Arena, http://www.gobison.com/sports/2013/4/19/bsa.aspx?tab=bisonsportsarena North Dakota State Athletics, Sanford Health Athletic Complex, http://www.gobison.com/sports/2013/6/6/edge.aspx?path=facilities North Dakota State Athletics, Scheels Center, http://www.gobison.com/facilities/?id=37
Evolution of NDSU's Mascot
We all know and have come to love Thundar, NDSU’s current mascot, but he hasn’t always been around. In fact, he is a fairly recent mascot in NDSU’s history. In fact, he is third in line of a rich, mascot history. Since NDS is a land-grant school which means our base is in agriculture, our first mascot in the 1890s was the Farmers. It was then changed to the “Aggies” in the early 1900s, using the termThundar pumping up the crowd at a basketball game, circa 1990s [3].“agriculture” as it’s base. But in 1922, The Spectrum ran an article saying that the N.D. club voted and agreed to change the name to the “Bisons”. They agreed that the “Fighting Aggies” was not intimidating enough. Countless of other colleges were using animals from their state, such as the University of North Dakota’s “Fighting Flickertails”, so they agreed on the bison because of its presence and domination on the prairie during the old days. Bison is also mentioned in our school song, so it was a logical choice to choose this animal to represent NDAC in athletic competitions. The school was going through a lot of transition, mainly controversy on changing the college’s name from North Dakota Agricultural College to North Dakota State University. It was during this time that we started using the bison mascot as to illustrate our presence in athletics. [1]It was not until 1991 that our bison received an actual name, Thundar. He is now present at most NDSU athletic events taking “selfies” with kids, signing autographs, and boosting spirits. Over the years, the teams have added an additional name, “The Thundering Herd” which also describes our vast conquest during competitions. Some universities across the nation have a live animal as their mascot as well, but NDSU did not until 2014. It was at ESPN’s college GameDay where Lee Corso led out “Corso”, a 270 lb baby bison and a star was born. Our real-life mascot lives in Wahpeton at their zoo, but often comes to Fargo to make appearances at events and home games. [2]Sources:The Spectrum. "A.C. Athletics To Be Known As Bissons." The Spectrum, (Fargo, ND), March 3rd, 1922. NDSU Archives. Dunn, Connor. "NDSU's Newest Mascot." The Spectrum, (Fargo, ND), September 15th, 2014. Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/bSSQ8H.
Chuck Bentson
One of the greatest coaches of NDSU history to ever grace the university, Chuck Bentson left his impact on and off the basketball court. Born on October 25th, 1917, Charles “Chuck” Bentson grew up in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He graduated of the University of Wyoming in 1935 with a degree in botany while playing basketball, baseball, and football. He then was in Marine Corps from 1941-1947 and was discharged as a Lieutenant Colonel. All this time overseas he still continued to play basketball and basketball. During his tour in the Pacific Theatre, he met Martha Lampman, a lieutenant nurse stationed in a Navy hospital. They were married at a Naval Hospital in California in December of 1946. Instead of playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chuck decided to coach the freshman basketball team at his alma mater. It wasn't until 1949 that Bentson ended up at NDAC, as the new headFrom 1949-1967, Chuck Bentson compiled a 174-204 record. This makes him the second winningest coach in NDSU history, losing to Erv Inninger’s 244-150 record. In 1952 he coached the team to winning the North Central Conference Championship. Then in 1954, they shared the NCC championship with the University of North Dakota. As well as being the head basketball coach, he helped out with the varsity baseball team as well as the Fargo American Legion. It was during 1952 that he coached future MLB star, Roger Maris. Chuck decided to retire from coaching in 1965 and moved to the counseling department at NDSU. Then he was promoted to the dean of men in 1968 and later became the Dean of Student Affairs. After 32 years at the university, he retired in 1981. Chuck Bentson impacted NDSU on and off the court in positive ways. [1] [2]Sources:“Longtime NDSU basketball coach Chuck Bentson dies.” Fargo Forum, January 22, 1994. NDSU Athletic Communications, “Charles ‘Chuck’ Bentson.” Accessed October 17, 2016. Photo by North Dakota State Athletics, http://www.gobison.com/hof.aspx?hof=168&path=&kiosk=.
Bentson/Bunker Fieldhouse
In order to meet the College athletic needs, NDSU needed a suitable building that housed a gymnasium. So in 1931, The Physical Education Building was dedicated as the new athletic building. It had three standard basketball courts and bleachers that could seat 3,600 people. The stage at the north end of the building was built so that plays and performances could also use the building. What is interesting is that the basement had a 16 lap indoor track, rifle range, locker rooms and showers. It was changed to the Bentson Bunker Fieldhouse in 1995 for Art Bunker and Chuck Bentson. Bentson was the longest serving coach in NDSU history, and he coached basketball for 32 years. Currently, the BBF is used by the ROTC and volleyball holds contests here. When the new athletic complex was being built, wrestling and women’s’ basketball both had their contests at the BBF too.[1][2]Sources:North Dakota State Athletics. “Bentson Bunker Field-house.” Accessed October 15, 2016. http://www.gobison.com/sports/2013/4/19/bbf.aspx?tab=bentsonbunkerfieldhouse Bedsaul, Jason. “NDSU Archives Main Page: Timeline.” Accessed October 15, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/ndsuarchives/ Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/8hZihJ.
Ceres Hall
Ceres hall was one of the first buildings on campus, which was built in 1910. This building held a cafeteria, gymnasium, classroom building, and a female residence hall. 115 women could live in this building at one time and had very strict rules. The girls had to be in their rooms at 7:30 pm during the week and gentleman were only allowed on Friday or Saturday evenings and were not allowed past the parlor. Since NDSU is an agricultural college, it was appropriate to name this hall Ceres, for the greek goddess of wheat. It was originally suppose to be named after the first femalestudent, Jessamine Slaughter. However with a last name like that, it was hard to pass. Instead when she later in life married a Burgum, they used that last name instead and is now an all women’s dormitory. Ceres Hall is now used for Registration and Records. [1]Rumor has it that this building is most haunted on campus. Legend has it that when it was a girls residence hall, that a female student hung herself because she was having trouble with her failing grades. Also, during World War II, there was a rumor going around that a man hung himself in the basement from a heating pipe. None of these stories have been confirmed, but in 2007 a paranormal activity team came to Fargo to investigate. They confirmed that they did hear noises and saw orbs of light and believed that the building is indeed haunted. [2]Sources:Bedsaul, Jason. "NDSU Archives Main Page: Timeline." Accessed October 15, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/ndsuarchives/ FM Paranormal. "Ceres Hall." Accessed October 15th, 2016. http://www.fmparanormal.org/currentcases/CeresHall/index.htm Photo by Courtney Johnson. Photo by NDSU Archives, https://flic.kr/p/86R5ra
