Dr. Briggs was a distinguished professor, Dean, University President and international stock judge.
1913-2001 | Artist: Jack K. Hodgkin (born 1936
Impact & Accomplishments
This portrait was the first to be added to the collection following the move from Chicago to Louisville.
Hilton Briggs earned degrees from Iowa State and North Dakota State University and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. His teaching career began at Oklahoma State in 1936, where he served as Associate Dean of Agriculture and Associate Director of the Agriculture Experiment Station.
In 1950, he was appointed Dean of Agriculture at the University of Wyoming. Dr. Briggs was named the thirteenth president of South Dakota State University in 1958 and served in that position until 1975.
He was president, and later fellow, of the American Society of Animal Science, and he authored the essential textbook, Modern Breeds of Livestock, through four editions. Hilton was also a well-known livestock judge, especially of sheep, for fifty-five years.
Did You Know?
Dr. Briggs earned one of three Thomas E. Wilson scholarships given in the U.S. in 1929 for achievement in livestock projects in 4-H.
Dr. Briggs was presented several military awards while president of SDSU, including Exceptional Service Award presented by the U.S. Air Force in 1975. The school had become nicknamed "The West Point of the Prairies," as they turned out more R.O.T.C. graduates than any other college in the Sixth Army District.
Dr. Briggs served twenty years at the International Live Stock Exposition in Chicago as sheep judge. He judged sheep in Peru and cattle in Brazil as well as in the U.S.
Hilton M. Briggs Library at South Dakota State University was dedicated in his honor.