Dickinson State University - Prairie Smoke Yearbook (Dickinson, ND)

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Although hopes for a Normal School at Dickinson began before the turn of the century, it was two decades later before a Constitutional Amendment of the State of North Dakota was adopted, and the Dick- inson Normal School was born. There was a definite need for this school, for 25% of the teachers west of the Missouri were not even qualified to hold their jobs. Less than 14% of the teachers in 1912 had any education beyond high school. It is not definitely known who proposed the idea of the Normal School at Dickinson, but there were three men who were believed to have pushed the issue. Peter S. Berg, former Dickinson school super- intendent, Morton L. McBride, a North Dakota Sena- tor, who proposed the Constitutional Amendment, and fought the floor for its passage, and Judge Fred Maser, who was also one of the primary movers for the Amendments passage. These men were interested in bringing higher education to the students of south- western North Dakota, and gave little thought to the economic benefits of the school. It was during the 13th legislative Assembly in 1913 that Senator McBride introduced the resolution. The support was great from House members who came from the West River countries. After securing enough votes for the resolutions adoption, it was signed into law on February 15,1915 by Govenor L.B. Hanna. After much publicity by the members of the Com- mercial Club of Dickinson, and others, it came to a vote of the people in November 1916. It was passed into law by a 16,000 vote majority. Education instructor Tom Jensen assists a new freshman with his schedule during fall quarter registration. O.T. Belsheim performs a solo at the annual Messiah production. Introduction

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TABLE OF CONTENTS fntroduction Faculty and Administration Organizations and Activities Greeks Underclassmen -%5enio|s Index • Introduction 3

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Rodeoing requires a lot of practice just as other sports. Here team members get in some bull before fall competition. Penny lohnson shows excellent form as she tips the ball over the net in girls volleyball competition. The 8lue Hawk, now in its second year as the DSC mascot stands watch over Whitney Stadium to ward off dangerous opponents. The North Dakota Board of Regents, equal to today's State Board of Higher Education, was given the respon- sibility for working out the details for the school to be- come a reality. At the March meeting of the Board in 1917, a visit to Dickinson was made to inspect the various building sites for the building of the campus. It was rec- ommended by the people of Dickinson that the Board rent quarters in the Elksbuilding untill building funds could be secured. The summer of 1918 brought about a decision to hold a summer session which would be held for five, six day weeks, starting on June 24. The session was held in the old Dickinson High, and was attended by 104 students. There were no fees charged, so the students' only ex- pense was board and room. The session was organized and directed by Peter S. Berg. Introduction 5