The
NDAC Livestock Pavilion opened in March 1952 hosting the fifth annual North
Dakota Spring Market Hog Show. This was the first event in the new completed
building. Shortly after its opening, the Livestock Pavilion was renamed Shepperd
Arena in honor of J. H. Shepperd, Professor of Agriculture and President of
NDAC. The arena originally consisted of bleachers with seating for 1,500, arrival
rooms for the livestock and a meat laboratory. In 1973 and 1975, the arena underwent
additions to expand the meat laboratory (NDAC Catalog 1956-1957, p. 40;
NDAC Alumni Review, March 1952 p. 1; Fargo Forum, August 15, 1975,
p. 3) Today, Shepperd Arena is used for the Little International (Little "I")
sponsored by the Saddle and Sirloin Club.
As one enters Shepperd Arena, there is a stone with a plaque on it to the right of the door. It commemorates the achievements of Golden Marguerite, a champion dairy cow. This is somewhat misleading, since the stone and plaque were originally on the lawn of the Dairy Building [Engineering Technology Building], with Golden Marguerite buried beneath the stone.
John
H. Shepperd was born on January 12, 1869 in Whitebreast Township, Lucas
County, Iowa. After graduating from high school, he attended Drake University
from 1887-1888 before transferring to Iowa State College (now Iowa State University).
He graduated from Iowa State in 1891 and pursued graduate work at the University
of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin. Upon receiving his master's degree
in 1893, Shepperd served on the editorial staff of the Orange Judd Farmer
before coming to the North Dakota Agricultural College in November 1893 as Professor
of Agriculture and Agriculturist of the Experiment Station. In 1905 Shepperd
was promoted to Dean of Agriculture and Vice Director of the Experiment Station.
In 1918, he made the request to be appointed Chairman of the Animal Husbandry
Department. Shepperd's request was granted and he devoted his time to research
and experimental work in animal husbandry. In 1929, Shepperd was appointed the
College's acting president and President in April 1930. He continued as President
until 1937 when he retired. Shepperd died on January 22, 1939. For a more complete
biography of Shepperd please visit the Iowa State University site http://www.ans.iastate.edu/archives/shepperd.html.
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University Archives, 701-231-8914 Published by the University Archives, NDSU Last Updated: 8/27/04 |