Dakota State University has enjoyed a long and proud history of leadership
and service since its founding in 1881 as the first teacher education
institution in the Dakota Territory.
For most of its history, DSU has been identified with teacher
preparation, first as a normal school and later as a four year public
college. The University has had several different names, among them
Madison Normal. Easter Normal, and General Beadle State College. It was
named Dakota State University on July 1, 1989.
