Why I Give to FarmHouse Foundation

Hilton M. Briggs (IA '33), emeritus president of South Dakota State University, was a role model member and donor for FarmHouse Fraternity and Foundation. Briggs pledged FarmHouse as a senior at Iowa State University. He earned his undergraduate degree in animal husbandry, and devoted his career to higher education. He taught at North Dakota State, Cornell University and Oklahoma State. He was dean of agriculture at the University of Wyoming for eight years. He then took on the presidency role at South Dakota State, a job he held for 17 years.

Hilton gave a great deal of time and money to the Foundation and Fraternity. He was one of six donors to be inducted into the Foundation's Century Club for gifts totaling $100,000 or more. The H.M. Briggs Endowment Fund is one of only four endowments of more than $100,000 and is dedicated to supporting "the changing or emerging needs of the undergraduate members and chapters of FarmHouse Fraternity." Hilton helped start the North Dakota State and University of Wyoming chapters, and served as an advisor, committee member, consultant and Foundation Trustee for FarmHouse International. In 2000 he was named a Philanthropy Laureate for his financial and service contributions to the Foundation. Hilton died on November 23, 2001.

He was asked in the fall of 2001 about his participation as a donor and Trustee of the FarmHouse Foundation, which he supported for many years:

A Pride in FarmHouse
By Hilton M. Briggs

I had the good fortune to join the Iowa State Chapter of FarmHouse in 1933, and have made education and educational administration my career. Work and lack of finances had kept me from membership until my senior year but for my first college years I had admired the men of FarmHouse. My short attachment brought me much satisfaction. That has been followed by close association with the Fraternity as a faculty advisor, helping to get several chapters started, board member, committee member, chapter consultant, and a participant at several Conclaves.

My family has let me be active. My son belongs to the Fraternity as has a brother-in-law and nephew. My daughter and granddaughter have been exposed and my wives have been tolerant, and both have been involved with chapters.

I had the good fortune to personally know "Daddy" Doane and several others of the original Chapter. Over the years the Fraternity developed a Foundation and that seemed the proper vehicle to promote the Fraternity and the good it could do. I'm glad to have contributed to the Foundation because it has helped the Fraternity grow and prosper.

FarmHouse has been a great blessing and satisfaction to me. It has afforded an opportunity to meet and know so many of the finest men that it has been my privilege to know and respect. I hope that the young men I encouraged to join over the years have received as much satisfaction from the Fraternity as I have. To me the best way for us to acknowledge that is to support the Foundation so that the coming generations of young men can have the same opportunities we have had.

FarmHouse has helped me focus on what are real benefits of education and what we can do to be of the greatest help to mankind. The years spent in the classroom, as a Dean, and over 17 years as President of South Dakota State University have helped me follow many as they have made a contribution. I have noticed that those that have made great strides seem to enjoy helping others. That makes FarmHouse Foundation a great tool for us to help others to develop the right perspective.

FarmHouse has meant so much to me in my lifetime. I wouldn't sell the opportunity for any price. We can support the Fraternity and the Foundation to help others enjoy the same satisfaction we have had from our great Fraternity- FarmHouse. The Founders started us on the right track and now we have the responsibility to keep it going in the right direction. There is no better way than Foundation support.