Edward S. Keene’s arrival in 1892 marked the beginning of engineering at NDSU (then North Dakota Agricultural College). He was hired as the head of the department of physics and engineering and taught mechanic arts shop classes in the engine and boiler house of the University’s heating plant. When a new engineering building opened its doors on the rolling prairie in 1907, the increased space created an opportunity for NDAC to offer civil engineering as a complete course of study. A few years later, electrical engineering was offered as a complete course as well.
Edward was an innovator at heart. He organized the School of Mechanic Arts as the educational unit for military training on campus, serving as captain alongside two other instructors who served as lieutenants. The first detachment of soldiers entered service during World War I, and a second detachment of 500 men had not yet completed their training when the armistice was signed.
Edward founded NDAC’s drama club and directed its first play. Together with his students, he also established the University’s first radio station, WPAK, using a 50-watt homemade transmitter, with programming that included play-by-plays of highly anticipated basketball games.
In 1918, Edward was named dean of the School of Mechanic Arts. He later served as acting president of the University, then resumed his deanship when a new president was appointed. When Edward resigned after more than 30 years of teaching and service to NDAC, enrollment had grown to 134 students in the School of Mechanic Arts.
A century later, this legacy livestock show remains the largest student-sponsored event at NDSU.
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Marvin’s partnership with NDSU is a testament to the power of community, innovation, and the belief that anything is possible.
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Margaret and her husband, Hugh Veit ’79, established the Eleanor S. Fitzgerald Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship to support NDSU students earning advanced degrees in the Department of Health, Nutrition, and Exercise Sciences or the Department of Human Development and Family Science.
Core areas of home economics remain part of current NDSU degree programs such as accounting; apparel, retail merchandising, and design; education; family and consumer science; financial planning; human development and family science; interior design; and nutrition science.
Home economics programs opened doors, particularly for women, to earn college degrees and pursue careers in education, Extension, state and federal government, business and industry, health care, and more. NDAC listed domestic economy as one of its courses in its founding year, 1890.
Established by Dr. Teresa Conner, dean of the NDSU College of Health and Human Sciences, and co-chaired by Dr. Margaret Fitzgerald ’83 and Col. Esther Meyers ’75, the Wisdom Keepers provide support and share their knowledge and expertise with students, faculty, staff, and leadership in the College.
The home management house at NDAC was the first facility built on a college campus specifically for home management practice. In 1954, it was named in honor of Alba Bales, the first female academic dean at NDAC.