The C. Ruth Habeger Science Center, 1980
The Science Center was completed in August of 1972 and houses the Dakota State department of biological science, mathematics, medical records, physical science and part of the behavioral sciences. It is 35,000 sq. ft. and one story high. It contains 2 large lecture rooms, a 200 seat auditorium, 10 laboratories which can be used as classrooms, 9 service areas, a greenhouse, a herbarium, and offices. The building houses the College of Natural Sciences in which both math and science classrooms can be found.
The Science Center was named after C. Ruth Habeger who was a professor in the Science department for 31 years. She was instrumental in establishing the science program here at Dakota State.
The E.R.O.S. Data Center placed a scientific display of aerial and satellite photographs of the earth on one of the Science Center's inner hallway walls in memory of the late Senator Karl E. Mundt who was influential in the establishment of E.R.O.S. The Science Center also houses the Server Room for the DSU campus, as well as the servers for the South Dakota K-12 Digital Dakota Network.
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"People ask me what I will do now that I'm retired... I have a great variety of unfinished businesses. There's a bird I still want to band, a picture I still want to paint, a plant I want to press and identify for the college herbarium. Now there should be good time for all these fun things. I hope to always be part of Madison and 'good old G.B.S.C.'" -C. Ruth Habeger speaking on her retirement, printed in the dedication program for the Science Center, 1976. |
As a child, Caroline Ruth Habeger attended the State Normal School from grade school until she received her bachelor’s degree in the field of horticulture. She then attended the University of Nebraska in 1933 for her Masters. In addition to her education she competed in track as a broad jumper and became the best broad jumper at Dakota State. After Habeger completed her Masters program, she returned to Dakota State where she taught for more than 31 years. During her 31 years, she was a student teacher for 9 years, the head of the biology Department for 3 years, and a professor in the field of Science and Math for the remainder of her career. After teaching at Dakota State, she decided to retire in 1967. On February 25, 1976, the science center had a dedication ceremony were they named the building after her.
