SPEARFISH - Black Hills State University has grown tremendously in the past 125 years, transforming from a one-room schoolhouse on 40 acres of land to the respected university it is today.

On Feb. 27, 1883, locals saw the need for a higher education and began this school, which today educates thousands of students each year.

Past and current students, faculty, staff and community members gathered on campus Wednesday for a Founders' Day luncheon to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of BHSU. Current students had a chance to meet those who'd walked through the halls before them. Past students were able to see how the university has grown and changed through the years.

"It's growing so much," said Wes Storm, 72, of Rapid City, a 1958 graduate. "There were maybe 1,200 students here when I went to school, and now look at it."

Storm said he took the gift of education he received while attending BHSU and returned it to the community by teaching in Rapid City, eventually becoming a principal and now serving on the school board. His observations of school growth were accurate: Spring 2008 enrollment is higher than ever before, with more than 4,000 students attending. But for those currently attending, the school is still just the right size.

"I love the small class sizes," said Jill Kary, 21, of Powell, Wyo., a junior business administration major. "I love it that I know my professors and they know who I am. There's a lot of connection here that I don't think I'd get in a bigger school, but at the same time there's a lot of opportunities."

Kary, along with other students, staff, faculty and community members, worked on the committee planning this celebration for the past six months. During that time Kary said she's really learned a lot about the school and met a lot of interesting past students.

"I love hearing their stories on the things we have in common as students, and everything that's changed. It's fun to find out things that aren't necessarily recorded in our history, but they can tell me," she said.

One of her favorite facts learned is that Fayette L. Cook, BHSU's first president, was not actually the first president. He was preceded by Van Buren Baker, who was publicly known as an avid gambler and drinker. He was also arrested for murdering his wife and mother-in-law, and is therefore, not recognized by the school.

More information on the history of BHSU is published in the new book, "Black Hills State University 125th Anniversary," by Paul Higbee, a local writer and historian, featuring photographs by Les Voorhis. They released the book during Wednesday's luncheon and held a book signing following the event.

There were also remarks from Tom Wheaton, Director of Alumni Relations, class of 1987; Kay Schallenkamp, current university president; and Jerry Krambeck, Mayor of Spearfish.

The group dedicated a time capsule, which will not being buried, as is tradition, but is instead becoming a piece of furniture with wheels. Schallenkamp said this is for fear it could be covered up with a new building as the campus expands.

The newest expansion on campus will be the student union.

In April the university will begin the process of nearly doubling the student union in size.

The building will be the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified building on a university campus in South Dakota. More plans for expansion are always in consideration, as Schallenkamp expects the college to continue growing with the support of the community.

"You all make this university what it is," she said as she addressed those at the event. "And that's a premier university, that every day makes a difference in students' lives."

Journal correspondent Jill Broecher is a student at Black Hills State University.