Students honor Shepperd's vision

by Taiton Axtman
Little “I” Manager

This year marked a major milestone for NDSU’s Little International, as students hosted the 100th annual show inside Shepperd Arena. What started as a small livestock event in 1923 has grown into the university’s largest student-run show and the longest-running event on campus.

The theme for the 100th Little “I” was “Living Shepperd’s Vision,” honoring the event’s founder, John H. Shepperd, and the generations of students who have carried on his mission. More than 150 contestants and many more committee members and supporters put in countless hours to raise funds, prepare the arena, organize competitions and ensure everything ran smoothly.

The Little International continues to be a unique experience because it focuses on showmanship rather than ownership. Contestants are randomly assigned animals, often outside their area of experience, and judged on their ability to handle and present livestock.

The two-day event began with the annual banquet, where the Agriculturalist of the Year was recognized for his contributions to the industry and promotion of animal agriculture. This year we celebrated Jim Kirsch, a longtime research technician in the Department of Animal Sciences. More than 400 people attended, including many students, alumni, our congresswoman and our governor, who permanently declared the second week of February as statewide Little “I” Week. The following day, Shepperd Arena was filled with spectators as students competed in beef, sheep, goat, dairy and swine showmanship, along with other events that showcased their skills outside the ring.

Beyond the competition, Little “I” is about the people who make it happen. From committee members and superintendents to emcees and volunteers, the event is entirely student-led, which is a big part of what has kept it going for 100 years. While the show builds animal husbandry skills, it also gives students real experience in leadership. This year’s event was made possible by the hard work of 27 chairs, who strengthened their ability to communicate, lead, act professionally, and solve problems when things didn’t go as planned.

For many students, Little International is more than just a show, it’s where they find community, develop leadership skills, and build connections that last long after college. Whether participants grew up in agriculture or are experiencing it for the first time, the event brings students together with a shared purpose.

As the night came to a close and the lights went down on the 100th show, the arena may have emptied, but the impacts of the Little International have left us all full.

One hundred years later, Shepperd’s vision is still alive.