State commemorates 100th anniversary of first technical college in America
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

July 12 event to mark milestone for educational framework that continues to impact economy

Whether one hundred years ago or today, technical colleges provide cutting-edge education that helps revitalize America's economy.

This year, Gateway Technical College and the state of Wisconsin are recognizing the creation of the first publicly-funded technical college in America, the beginning of an educational foundation that has impacted generations of Americans.

From Racine, Wis., 100 years ago, technical education as we know it today has grown to be one of the most powerful forces in building our economy and a trained workforce something needed again as our economy strives to gain speed. Wisconsin's Legislature led the way in creating publicly funded continuation -- technical education -- schools in 1911, but it spread quickly to the rest of the United States.

Gateway Technical College is pleased to commemorate its 100 years as the first technical college in America with a centennial celebration to be held July 12 on its Racine Campus, 1001 S. Main St. Racine, Wis.

"Today's economy depends on technical education as never before," said Gateway Technical College President Bryan Albrecht. "We are celebrating the investment and partnerships forged over the last century between the college and its communities as well as the great expectation of future efforts to educate a well-trained workforce."

A centennial program and dedication ceremony will be held featuring Wisconsin Technical College staff, business, state and national officials. An official plaque designating Racine and Gateway as the birthplace of the Wisconsin Technical College System will be placed on the campus.
Those expected to speak at the July 12 event include Nick Pinchuk, Snap-on Incorporated chairman and CEO; Noah Brown, Association of Community College Trustees, president and CEO; Bryan Albrecht, president, Gateway Technical College and past president, Association for Career and Technical Education; and Dan Clancy, Wisconsin Technical College System president.

Events also include a picnic lunch, seven-block walk commemorating 100 years of technical education and a Wisconsin Technical College System program vehicle and display show. The walk will begin at Eighth Street and Center Street in Racine, Wis., the site of the first Racine Continuation School the first continuation school in America and name predecessor to today's technical colleges.

Today's economy depends on technical education. The Georgetown Center "Pathways to Prosperity Report," report projects that 14 million job openings over the next seven years will go to people with an associate degree or occupational certificate. And national leaders have increasingly pointed to the importance of preparing Americans to enter the workforce through technical education as a critical link to our nation's success as we compete in a 21st Century global economy.

For more information, stock photos, interview possibilities or more information, please contact Lee Colony, Gateway Technical College, (262) 564-2512, colonyl@gtc.edu; or Kyle Schwarm, Wisconsin Technical College System, (608) 266-0050, kyle.schwarm@wtcsystem.edu. You can also go to www.gtc.edu/centennial