Southeast Technical College History

  • Southeast Area Vocational Technical School opens its doors. The programs offered are Practical Nursing, Major Appliance Repair, Industrial Electronics, Drafting, Data Processing, Diesel Mechanics and Airplane Mechanics. Enrollment was 118 students. Tuition was $40 a month!
  • The Sioux Falls School District purchases a building at 15th and Western and names it The Career Center. Southeast Tech offers eight 11-month programs ranging from $550 to $900 to complete.
  • An additional facility is purchased and named East Campus of Southeast Tech located at 9th Ave and 14th St. It consists of six buildings that house Advertising Design, Auto Body, Auto Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Printing and Horticulture.
  • The Career Center is renamed West Campus of Southeast Tech.
  • Beadle Elementary School houses programs including Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Franchise Restaurant Management, Accounting, Marketing and Computer Literacy courses.
  • Representative Jan Nicolay and Senator Keith Paisley sponsor and introduce a bill to fund $3,000,000 for a new Southeast Tech building in Sioux Falls. Southeast Tech has 500 students enrolled.
  • The Sioux Falls city commission unanimously approves the annexation of 56 acres proposed for a new Southeast Vo-Tech Institute. The Sioux Falls School Board approves $205,000 for the purchase of 56 acres. $9 million is requested to complete construction for Southeast Tech’s new campus. South Dakota’s state legislature approves $7.5 million.
  • Southeast Tech is relocated to the current campus location on 56 acres. The 60,000 square foot George S. Mickelson Center is the first building to emerge on campus at an expense of $3.5 million.
  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and Computer Literacy courses relocate to the current campus. Nuclear Medicine Technology, Cardiac Ultrasound Technology, Invasive Cardiovascular Technology and Vascular Ultrasound Technology degrees start Fall 1990.
  • The Scarborough Childcare Center opens its doors. Governor George S. Mickelson proclaims September 6, 1991 as Alva W. Scarbrough Day in South Dakota.. Southeast Area Vocational Technical Institute officially changes its name to Southeast Technical Institute.
  • The Terrence Sullivan Health Science Center is added to campus.
  • Pharmacy Technician diploma and Electroneurodiagnostic Technology start Fall 1996.
  • Southeast Technical Institute increases by 112 acres to the west and south of campus. Southeast Technical Institute becomes the first wireless campus in South Dakota.
  • The Southeast Technology Center opens its doors.
  • Hummel-Nicolay Hall is added to campus allowing 100 students to live on campus for the first time. Andera Hall welcomes an additional 100 students to live on campus, bringing the number of students living on campus to 200. The Terrence Sullivan Health Science Center expands to double the size of the facility.
  • The Mickelson Center undergoes renovations to add a Student Success Center, update the Admissions and Financial Aid Offices and expand the Bookstore and Hovland Learning Center.
  • Ed Wood Center is renovated. Healthcare Leadership degree starts Fall 2011.
  • A Registered Nurse degree starts Fall 2012.
  • The Southeast Tech Foundation achieves $1 million in endowment funds.
  • Southeast Tech awards the first-ever Build Dakota full-ride scholarships funded from a $25 million donation from T. Denny Sanford and $25 million in future funds committed by Governor Daugaard.
  • The HUB opens, featuring expanded lab spaces for the automotive and diesel programs, Paavo’s Pizza and Grill and a 500-seat auditorium. The Ed Wood Center undergoes additional renovations to expand the Collision Repair and Refinish lab.
  • The Southeast Tech Foundation initiates its first-ever Capital Campaign Southeast Tech NOW focusing on increasing the number of critically needed technical graduates in South Dakota.
  • Southeast Technical College unveils a new logo to reflect the institutions change in name on July 1, 2020. The college will continue in its mission to educate individuals for dynamic and rewarding careers that promote lifetime success and meet the workforce needs of our region. The Veterinary Technician and Dental Assisting programs launch. Southeast Tech expands the Ed Wood Center and renovates space in the Sullivan Health Science Center to accommodate.