University of South Dakota

University of South Dakota. . The University of South Dakota (USD) was Dakota Territory's first university. Proposed during the 1862 legislative assembly, it was originally called the University of Dakota., Governor Jayne signed the bill in April 1862, but details were not discussed until the legislative session that December. Five types of instruction were to be offered: science, literature and art, law, medicine, training in "elementary instruction," and agriculture. Construction did not begin until 1882, however, due to lack of funds. When an agricultural college was created at Brookings in 1881, posing a threat to Vermillion's university, the Clay County commissioners issued a $10,000 bond to start construction., Initial construction included University Hall (1883), which held classrooms and offices, and West (1885) and East (1887) Halls, which served as dormitories. An increase in enrollment created new programs in law and music (1901) and engineering and medicine (1907). Buildings such as Science Hall (1902), Armory Hall (1905), Law (1908), the Library (1911), and Chemistry (1915) were constructed to meet demands. Of the three original buildings, only East Hall stands today., As of 2011, USD offers 132 undergraduate and 62 graduate programs and educates 70 percent of attorneys, 48 percent of physicians, and 50 percent of teachers in South Dakota., Caption: , From left to right: classes were held at the Clay County Courthouse until University Hall was built and classes could be held there; West Hall; University Hall before burning and being rebuilt as Old Main; East Hall with the 1911 addition.