1910 | Builders Exchange of St. Paul is established and impresses upon the Saint Paul Public Schools Board of Education and the Superintendent the necessity of providing vocational training to children in the grade schools in order to bridge the gap of skilled laborers. Leaders of the Builders Exchange organized a system of educating tradesmen called the St. Paul Institute, which was founded in 1910. |
1910 | The first evening trade classes are held in the basement of the Central High School in Saint Paul. |
1917 | Vocational Education Act is passed. The Vocational Education Act of 1917 (P.L. 65-347), also known as the Smith-Hughes Act, is designed to provide federal assistance to states to promote vocational education. |
1917 | United States enters WWI. Some boys leave vocational training and enlist – minimum age to enlist is 17 years old. War ends in 1918. |
1919 | The St. Paul Boys Vocational School is established in February of this year. |
1923 | The first building dedicated to vocational schooling is built at 14th and Jackson in Saint Paul. |
1929 | Stock market crashes – St. Paul Boys Vocational School enrollment dips to 14, but enrollment rebounds by 1931. |
1941-1945 | War Years - St. Paul Vocational School becomes involved in defense training during the war. Largest number of graduates, 68 students, 1940. Lowest number of graduates since 1924 – only 21 – due to the war, 1944 |
1948 | Number of graduates surges post war to 112 |
1942 | Girls Vocational School opens at the Mechanic Arts High School. |
1945 | Area Vocational Technical Institutes are formally established in Minnesota. |
1950-1953 | |
1959 | Post war enrollment hits a new all-time high of 452. |
1966 | St. Paul Vocational School becomes St. Paul Area Technical Vocational Institute (TVI). New building opens at 235 Marshall Avenue and becomes a co-educational student body for the first time. Tuition is free to students under 21, from the St. Paul area. Out-state students’ tuition is covered by local school boards. |
1968 | St. Paul TVI outgrows its new building - overcapacity in just two years! |
1979 | Continued growth. Portable buildings are set up to ease overcrowding. |
1983 | St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute is accredited by the Commission on Institution of Higher Education for the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. |
1987 | All technical and vocational institutes drop “vocational” and we become St. Paul Technical Institute |
1989 | New instructional tower is completed to alleviate overcrowding. |
1989 | Another name change: technical institutes are renamed technical colleges and we become St. Paul Technical College. |
1995 | Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system is created through a merger. St. Paul Technical College becomes one of the technical colleges, community colleges, and State universities within the new system. |
1997 | College establishes its first website. |
2000 | The College mission expands to award Associate of Arts (AA) degrees and include a transfer function. |
2002 | A new name: Saint Paul College—A Community & Technical College, and a new logo and brand standards. |
2006 | Power of YOU program is launched, providing two years of college tuition-free to high school graduates entering college in the fall |
2008-2009 | Growth prompts more construction, lower level renovation. |
2010 | Saint Paul College honors 100 years of education and holds centennial celebration and unveils Centennial Wall commemorating highlights from 1910-2010. |
2000-2010 | Saint Paul College experiences a 71% increase in enrollment since becoming a community college. |
2010 and 2013 | Saint Paul College is ranked the #1 community college in the nation in 2010 and 2013 by Washington Monthly magazine, for student engagement in active and collaborative learning, student-faculty interaction and support for learning. |
2012 | A four level, 615 stall Parking Ramp is completed and is designed to accommodate future lateral and vertical parking expansion as enrollment increases. |
2016 | Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System rebrands as Minnesota State, including new logo. |
2016 | Saint Paul College is recognized as most diverse college of Minnesota State colleges and universities. |
2017 | Over 1400 students graduate from Saint Paul College with nearly 500 graduates attending Commencement. |
2017 | New Health and Science Alliance Center is completed as a new addition to the West Tower and includes a new Simulation Center for Health Sciences programs, plus classrooms, chemistry and biology labs. |
2018 | Over 1500 students graduate from Saint Paul College with over 500 graduates attending Commencement. |
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