Dakota State University

University in Madison, South Dakota, US

Not to be confused with North Dakota State University or South Dakota State University.

"Dakota State" redirects here. For the U.S. states, see the Dakotas.

Dakota State University

Former names

List

*     * Madison Normal School or Dakota State Normal (1881–1902)
* Madison State Normal School (1902–1921)
* Eastern State Normal School (1921–1927)
* Eastern State Teachers College (1927–1947)
* General Beadle State Teachers College (1947–1964)
* General Beadle State College (1964–1969)
* Dakota State College (1969–1989)

Motto| Embrace Innovation
Type| Public university
Established| March 5, 1881; 144 years ago (1881-03-05)

Academic affiliations

| Space-grant
Endowment| $16.2 million (2020)[1]
President| José-Marie Griffiths[2][3]
Students| 3,774[4]
Undergraduates| 3,066[4]
Postgraduates| 708[4]
Location|

Madison, South Dakota

U.S.

44°00′44″N 97°06′46″W﻿ / ﻿44.01229°N 97.11285°W﻿ / 44.01229; -97.11285
Campus| 78 acres (32 ha)
Colors| Trojan blue, DSU blue and gray[5]

Nickname| Trojans

Sporting affiliations

| NAIA – NSAA
Website| dsu.edu

Dakota State University (DSU) is a public university in Madison, South Dakota, United States.[6][7] The school was founded in 1881 as a normal school, or teacher training school. Education is still the university's heritage mission, but a signature mission[8] of technology was added by the state legislature in 1984 to specialize in "programs in computer management, computer information systems, and other related undergraduate and graduate programs".

## History

[edit]

Beadle Hall

Dakota State University was founded in 1881, eight years before South Dakota became a state. It has been through several name changes:

* 1881—Madison Normal School or Dakota State Normal, and was the first school dedicated to training teachers in the Dakota Territory.
* 1902—Madison State Normal School[9]
* 1921—Eastern State Normal School was officially adopted: changed to Eastern State Teachers College in 1927.
* 1947—General Beadle State Teachers College, after the school's third president William Henry Harrison Beadle (1889–1905); amended to General Beadle State College in 1964.
* 1969—Dakota State College
* 1989—Dakota State University, to reflect the addition of graduate programs.

The university's homecoming celebration has also undergone several name changes, first Pioneer Day (1922), then Eastern Frontier Day in 1923 (changed because another state's normal schools were using Pioneer Day), Eastern Day (1924–1954), Tutor Day (1955-1970's), and now Trojan Days.

José-Marie Griffiths is the school's current and 23rd president.[2]

DSU is also home to the Lake County Museum, formerly known as the Smith-Zimmermann Museum[10][11] and the Karl E. Mundt Library[12] and archives.

## Academics

[edit]

Dakota State is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education,[13] designated in 2004 by the National Security Agency.[14] DSU now holds four such distinctions, with awards from the Department of Homeland Security/National Security Agency (NSA) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, Information Assurance Research, and Cyber Operations. It is also a Cyber Defense Regional Resource Center.

The 2019, U.S. News & World Report listed the university as tied for #36 in Top Public Schools (Regional Universities Midwest), and tied for #118 overall in Regional Universities Midwest.[15] In 2024, the same source listed DSU's graduation rate within four years at 30%, far below average.[16]

### Accreditation and governance

[edit]

Dakota State is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents[17] and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).[18] Programs in the College of Education are accredited by the CAEP.[19] The Health Information Management programs are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management and in 2016 the program was named an Approved Education Partner (AEP) by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS).[20][21] The undergraduate and business programs are accredited by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.[22]

### Beadle Scholar

[edit]

An institutional repository (IR) was launched in August 2018 and named "Beadle Scholar" after former university president William Henry Harrison Beadle who served from 1889 to 1906. Beadle Scholar houses research and major projects by faculty and students including theses, posters,[23] and works of art.[24] Information housed on Beadle Scholar is generally accessible to all.

### CyberCorps Scholarship

[edit]

Dakota State University offers the nation's largest National Science Foundation CyberCorps: Scholarship for service program. The scholarship covers 100% of tuition and fees and additional funding for professional projects. Students who receive this scholarship will also be given $34,000 in stipends each year. Recipients also receive paid summer internships and guaranteed cyber employment in the government. This scholarship can be renewed for up to three years and each year requires the student to commit to a government job after graduation.[25]

## Student life

[edit]

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[26] Race and ethnicity  | Total

|

White | 76%  |

Hispanic | 5%  |

Two or more races | 4%  |

Black | 4%  |

International student | 3%  |

Unknown  | 3%  |

American Indian/Alaska Native | 2%  |

Asian | 2%  |

Economic diversity
Low-income[a] | 25%  |

Affluent[b] | 75%  |

Enrollment has grown from two graduates in its first class in 1885, to 3,190 students enrolled in the fall of 2016. Of those, 2,844 are undergraduates and 346 are postgraduate students.[27][28] On-campus students number 2,754; 1,134 are Internet-only students. Students come from 49 states and 59 countries.

The average student/faculty ratio is 17/1.[29] For undergraduates, the average class size is 15.3 students; for graduate students, on-campus class size is 4.1. More than $18 million in financial aid was awarded in 2015.

Students may choose from over 45 campus clubs and campus and national organizations.[30] The school also has a comprehensive student services program, including career services, international programs, Student Success Center (counseling, academic probation, wellness, tutoring), diversity and inclusion and Title III services.

### Cyber competitions

[edit]

DSU has a cybersecurity team which regularly competes against other collegiate teams in multiple competitions, one of which is the National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. DSU's defensive cybersecurity team was among the finalists in the years 2009, 2014, 2016, and 2018. In 2013 and 2022, the team won second place.[31][32] In 2018, the team won third place.[33] In the 2017 Argonne National Laboratory Cyber Defense Competition where fifteen collegiate teams from around the country competed, DSU placed in second as well, in tie with Kansas State University.[34]

Dakota State University also fields an offensive cybersecurity team who, in the 2024-2025 Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition season, placed 1st out of twelve collegiate teams from around the world.[35]

## Campus

[edit]

The historic portion of the 78-acre campus includes five buildings facing an open lawn area called the "Campus Green".[36] The oldest building on campus is Beadle Hall, built in 1886 and currently under renovation.[37] The newest building is the Beacom Institute of Technology.

There is a newly built cyber research and development facility and organization called the Madison Cyber Labs or MadLabs.[38] Renovations to the school's athletic facilities are now complete.[39]

### Residence halls

[edit]

Student housing consists of ten different buildings ranging from dorms to suites. These include: Higbie Hall, Emry Hall, Zimmermann Hall, Richardson Hall, The Courtyard, Residence Village, 8-Plexes, Girton House, Van Eps Place, and the 2-1-2 House.[40]

### Karl Mundt Library

[edit]

Main article: Karl Mundt Library

Campus is home to Karl Mundt Library which was built in 1968 and named after former South Dakota Republican Senator Karl Mundt. The library's dedication was attended by Richard Nixon, 37th President of the United States, who gave a speech in front of approximately 10,000 people.[41]

## Athletics

[edit]

Main article: Dakota State Trojans

The Dakota State athletic teams are called the Trojans. The university is a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA),[42] primarily competing in the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA) as a founding member since the 2013–14 academic year.[43] The Trojans previously competed as an NAIA Independent within the Association of Independent Institutions (AII) from 2011–12 to 2012–13; and in these defunct conferences: the Dakota Athletic Conference (DAC) from 2000–01 to 2010–11; and the South Dakota Intercollegiate Conference (SDIC) from 1917–18 to 1999–2000.

Dakota State competes in 12 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, and track & field (indoor and outdoor); while women's sports include basketball, cross country, softball, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball; and co-ed sports include eSports.[44]

### Brian Kern Family Stadium

[edit]

Main article: Brian Kern Family Stadium

In August 2024, Dakota State University opened the Brian Kern Family Stadium, a facility with a seating capacity of 2,533.[45] The stadium hosted its inaugural game on August 29, 2024, where the DSU Trojans Football Team played against Dakota Wesleyan University.[46] In addition to university athletics, the stadium also serves as a venue for the local Madison High School football games.[47] The opening of the stadium was part of the Beacom PREMIER Complex development, aimed at enhancing athletic facilities on campus.[48]

### Accomplishments

[edit]

Dakota State University teams have won 56 conference championships and produced 80 All-Americans (14 women, 66 men). Also, 112 DSU athletes have been named NAIA All-Scholar athletes. There have been 856 Trojans who have received the distinction of being cited an All-Conference athlete (230 football, 135 track, 75 baseball, 70 cross country, 66 softball, 60 volleyball, 50 women's basketball and 44 men's basketball).[49]

## Campus media

[edit]

KDSU is a college campus radio station which broadcasts in the student union and online at kdsu.net. The Sigma Tau Delta honor society releases a yearly zine-like publication, New Tricks, of student and faculty work that includes poetry and art.[50] The Trojan Times is the student newspaper.[51]

## Notable alumni

[edit]

* Richard Barrett Lowe (1929) — writer and director of the 1929 film Dakotah filmed with DSU faculty and staff, 42nd Governor of American Samoa, and eighth American Governor of Guam[52]
* Robert Caselli (1951) — former member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
* Shantel Krebs (1998) — former South Dakota Secretary of State[53]
* Pat Behrns (1972) — former head football coach for North Dakota and Nebraska–Omaha[54]
* Darwin Robinson (1974) — former running back for the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks[55]
* Aaron Aylward (2009) — current member of the South Dakota House of Representatives
* Josh Conklin (2003) — current assistant coach for the Arkansas State Red Wolves football team
* Charlie Flohr (2002) — current head coach of the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers football team
* Tommy Hofer (2005) — former wide receiver for the Toronto Argonauts, Sioux Falls Storm, and the Sioux City Bandits
* Anthony Drealan (2011) — former head coach of the Dakota State Trojans track and field and cross country teams

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
2. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ As of June 30, 2020. U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2020 Endowment Market Value and Change in Endowment Market Value from FY19 to FY20 (Report). National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
2. ^ a b "Office of the President - Dakota State University".
3. ^ "Griffiths Chosen as Next Dakota State University President | Dakota State University". Dsu.edu. April 27, 2015. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
4. ^ a b c "DSU enrollment numbers pass 3,770". dsu.edu. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
5. ^ "DSU Brand Manual". Retrieved August 29, 2022.
6. ^ Madison, City of. "Welcome to the city of Madison | South Dakota". City of Madison. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
7. ^ "South Dakota Official State Homepage". sd.gov. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
8. ^ "Mission Statement". Dakota State University. July 9, 2018. Archived from the original on April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
9. ^ "Commencement Program". explore.digitalsd.org.
10. ^ "Smith-Zimmermann Heritage Museum". dsu.edu. Archived from the original on June 28, 2017.
11. ^ "Smith-Zimmermann Museum". Facebook.com. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
12. ^ "Karl Mundt Library". library.dsu.edu.
13. ^ "Resources for Students and Educators". Nsa.gov. Archived from the original on December 3, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
14. ^ "NSA.gov". Nsa.gov. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
15. ^ "Dakota State University - Profile, Rankings and Data | US News Best Colleges". U.S. News & World Report. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022.
16. ^ "Dakota State University". US News and World Report. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
17. ^ "Pages - Home". Sdbor.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
18. ^ "The Higher Learning Commission". Hlcommission.org. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
19. ^ "Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation". caepnet.org. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
20. ^ "HIMSS". HIMSS. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
21. ^ "Dakota State University becomes a HIMSS Approved Education Partner". Dsu.edu. December 5, 2016. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
22. ^ "Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs". Acbsp.org. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
23. ^ "Dakota State University Theses and Dissertations | Dakota State University". scholar.dsu.edu. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
24. ^ "Beadlemania 2006 | Student Exhibitions | Dakota State University". scholar.dsu.edu. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
25. ^ "CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service". dsucyber.com. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020.
26. ^ "College Scorecard: Dakota State University". College Scorecard. United States Department of Education. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
27. ^ "Dakota State University reports all-time record fall enrollment". Dsu.edu. September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
28. ^ "DSU reports all-time record fall enrollment". Dailyleaderextra.com. September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
29. ^ "Explore Dakota State University". Niche. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
30. ^ "Clubs and Organizations". Dsu.edu. August 19, 2014. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
31. ^ "About". Nationalccdc.org. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
32. ^ "National CCDC on Twitter "And the second place honor goes to @DakotaState. Congratulations team!! #NCCDC"". Twitter. Retrieved April 25, 2022.
33. ^ Communications, Raytheon Corporate. "Raytheon News Release Archive". Raytheone.mediaroom.com. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
34. ^ "2017 Cyber Defense Competition enthralls crowd at Argonne | Argonne National Laboratory". April 14, 2017.
35. ^ "The Halls of Victory | Global CPTC". Collegiate Penetration Testing Competition. Retrieved February 23, 2025.
36. ^ "Campus Tour". Dsu.edu. August 15, 2014. Archived from the original on September 18, 2018. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
37. ^ "Beadle Hall - DSU - University Archives". Digital Library of South Dakota.
38. ^ "MadLabs is a 'go' with governor's signature | Dakota State University". dsu.edu. Archived from the original on February 4, 2018.
39. ^ "DSU Athletics Master Plan". amp.dsuathletics.com. Retrieved March 18, 2021.
40. ^ "Residence Halls - Dakota State University". dsu.edu. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
41. ^ "Library Dedication". library.dsu.edu. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
42. ^ "NAIA - National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics". Naia.org. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
43. ^ "North Star Athletic Association". North Star Athletic Association. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
44. ^ "Dakota State University Athletics". www.dsuathletics.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
45. ^ Terrall, Gracie. "College football attendance rising for fans, students". Keloland. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
46. ^ Huntimer, Nick. "Chamber of Commerce Traveling Cup returns to Madison as Trojans rout rival Tigers in Brian Kern Family Stadium debut". dsuathletics.com. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
47. ^ "Football 2024-25". gobound.com. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
48. ^ "Old Dominion to Headline Kickoff Concert of Trojan Nights". dsu.edu. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
49. ^ "Dakota State University Athletics - Awards and Honors". www.dsuathletics.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
50. ^ "New Tricks | College of Arts & Sciences | Dakota State University". scholar.dsu.edu. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
51. ^ "Trojan Times". Trojan Times. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
52. ^ "» Governor Richard Barrett Lowe". Guampedia.com. August 20, 2012. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
53. ^ "South Dakota Secretary of State, Shantel Krebs". sdsos.gov. Retrieved September 21, 2018.
54. ^ Dodd, Dennis (March 15, 2011). "Nebraska–Omaha rips out hearts". CBSSports.com. Retrieved January 25, 2025.
55. ^ "Darwin Robinson". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved January 25, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dakota State University.

* Official website
* Athletics website
* Dakota State University at College Navigator, a tool from the National Center for Education Statistics

* v
* t
* e

Dakota State University

Campus|

* Karl Mundt Library
* Lake County Museum
* Beadle Hall

Athletics|

| Programs|

* Baseball
* Men's basketball
* Women's basketball
* Football
* Track and field

|

Venues|

* Brian Kern Family Stadium
* Dan Beacom Track Complex
* DSU Fieldhouse
* Flynn Field

Rivalries|

* Dakota Wesleyan

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Colleges and universities in South Dakota

Public|

| Research institutions|

* South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
* South Dakota State
* University of South Dakota

|

Master's institutions|

* Black Hills State
* Dakota State
* Northern State

Tribal institutions|

* Oglala Lakota College
* Sisseton Wahpeton College
* Sinte Gleska University

Associate's institutions|

* Lake Area Tech
* Mitchell Tech
* Southeast Tech
* Western Dakota Tech

Consortia|

* Public Universities and Research Center
* Capitol University Center
* Higher Education Center-West River

Governing boards|

* South Dakota Board of Regents

Private|

| Baccalaureate institutions|

* Augustana
* Dakota Wesleyan
* Mount Marty
* University of Sioux Falls

|

Seminaries|

* Sioux Falls Seminary
* Institute of Lutheran Theology

* v
* t
* e

North Star Athletic Association

* Bellevue Bruins
* Dakota State Trojans
* Dickinson State Blue Hawks
* Jamestown Jimmies
* Mayville State Comets
* Valley City State Vikings

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template