After the end of BHSU’s first president, Fayette L. Cook’s tenure in 1918, Ethelburt C. Woodburn took his position as the president. Woodburn was the perfect candidate for the role due to his experience working at BHSU (then known as the Spearfish Normal School) as the vice president during Cook’s term. He marked his 23-year term as a period of transformation and growth for the institution.
Woodburn was born in Fowler, Indiana, on June 26, 1875, and pursued higher education at Indiana University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts. After finishing his undergraduate degree, he continued his education at the University of Chicago with a Master of Arts.
Woodburn’s education career began in Indiana, serving as a principal and superintendent. In 1910, he became the principal of the Training School at Northern Normal and Industrial School in Aberdeen, South Dakota. His qualities in leadership and commitment to education led him to his appointment as President at the Spearfish Normal School in 1919.
During his tenure as president, Woodburn oversaw the transition from a two-year normal school to a 4-year degree-granting college. Only three years after his inauguration, the Spearfish Normal School began offering degrees and was renamed to the Black Hills Teachers College, marking a new mission for the school.
Under the guidance of Woodburn, the college experienced a steady increase in enrollment, expanded summer course options and drastically expanded its athletic programs. Most importantly, he navigated the school through the economic challenges of the Great Depression and the beginnings of World War II. In 1942, Black Hills Teacher College achieved accreditation from the American Association of Teachers Colleges, thanks to Woodburn’s leadership and his academic standards.
Woodburn retired in 1942, leaving behind a legacy of educational advancement and institutional growth. His leadership laid the foundation for what is now Black Hills State University, continuing to serve students in Spearfish and beyond.
