100 Years Young
F
By Jim Biros
or 100 years, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College continues
its dedication to its communities by providing excellent, hands-on
education. Nearly 1-in-9 residents have taken some sort of class through
a WITC campus or outreach center. The college has trained countless
members of business and industry and helped to
make communities stronger.
This fall, WITC began its centennial celebration with a Business After 5 event
at its Superior campus. Held in conjunction with the chamber of commerce,
the occasion recognized the humble beginnings of the college while noting its
extraordinary progress. The year-long celebration will culminate with a
community lawn party on July 10 at WITC-Superior.
Take a glimpse into WITC’s history in these photos and news clips.
1912
Superior becomes the second
city in the state to establish a
vocational school.
1921
1936
New Superior
Vocational School
building is completed.
Vocational school
established in Ashland.
Classes meet in the
high school.
1963
Associate Degree
programs are offered.
1941
Vocational
school established
in Rice Lake.
1972
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical
and Adult Education District is
created. The new district covers
10,500 square miles.
1965
Adult, Vocational, Technical and
Adult Education District 18 is
established with operations center
in New Richmond.
1973
The district administration office is
moved to Shell Lake from Superior.
This location was selected due to its
location in the center of the district.
1975
1976
Construction
began for a new
Superior campus.
To handle the growing population and demand
for the expansion of technical programs,
groundbreaking began in 1975 for new
campuses in Ashland. New Richmond and
Rice Lake campuses formed.
1988
A distance learning
network is established.
1988
2011
Today, WITC employs a staff of more than
1,700 and provides education to 6,000 credit
students in more than 50 degree programs,
technical certificates and apprenticeship
programs.
Wisconsin Indianhead Vocational,
Technical and Adult Education
District became Wisconsin
Indianhead Technical College.
1999
First online classes
are offered.