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Timeline of Educational Excellence

Forty Years of Facts

Though the founding of this institution reaches back into the 1920’s, here are some interesting events and milestones in the history of Northeast Community College as an institution to date.

1973

Northeastern Nebraska College and Northeast Nebraska Technical College merge on July 1, offering 39 programs of study. Resident tuition and fees for a full-time student (30 credit hours) is $288 a year. Farm and Ranch Operations Management was among the first programs offered. The college program began with three students. (It has over 250 students today.) Intercollegiate athletics include basketball, wrestling and co-ed golf.

1974

The Utility Line Building, now known as the Arlo Wirth Building, is constructed.
The Student Union opens in the basement of the Complex “B” Building, which is now known as the Weller Building.

1975

The name Northeast Nebraska Technical Community College (NNTCC) is changed to Northeast Technical Community College (NTCC) on July 1, 1975. “The change reflects the merging of two separate colleges: the vocational tech college and the liberal arts college; and aims to recognize both,” said President Dr. Robert Cox. “The name was just too long and by eliminating the word, Nebraska, all functional words would still be intact.”

1976

The Northeast Technical Community College men’s basketball team (27-2 under Coach Chuck Stevenson) defeats Whitworth College to claim the National Little College Athletic Association (NLCAA) National Championship. The tournament was held in the Norfolk City Auditorium.

1977

Ground is broken in May for the Science/Agriculture Building. When it opened in the second semester of the 1977-78 year, the 16,000-square-foot building featured new classrooms, laboratories and a greenhouse.

1978

“Year of the Anniversaries” observed at Northeast Technical Community College. The observance was highlighted by the fifth anniversary of NTCC.

1979

Construction begins on the 46,000-square-foot Activities Center. The $1.7-million “multi-purpose building” features a 2,130-seat gymnasium, a 290-seat theater and classrooms.

1980

Enrollment at Northeast Technical Community College reached an all-time high of 1,554 students, a seven percent increase over the previous year.

1981

Planning begins to address the need for expanded facilities due to rapidly increasing enrollments in NTCC’s Utility Line and Electrician programs. The Welding and Welding/Machinist programs begin. The Voice of NTCC, KAYR cable radio, began broadcasting on January 19.

1982

The Board of Governors approves the construction of two, eight unit apartment buildings for male NTCC students. At the time, the residence hall was only for female students. Each apartment unit houses four-to-five students.

1983

NTCC marked the 10th anniversary of the merger of Northeastern Nebraska College and Northeast Nebraska Technical College. Resident tuition and fees for a full-time student (30 credit hours) is $585 a year. First apartment building constructed. Intercollegiate athletics include men’s basketball and golf and women’s basketball and volleyball.

1984

The new Student Center opens.

1985

NTCC purchases 533 acres of farmland on the Norfolk Regional Center grounds from the State of Nebraska for use in the College’s Agricultural programs. A second, eight-unit apartment building is constructed.

1986

The college/community concert band held its organizational meeting. The band continues to perform today. Fire Science program begins.

1987

Enrollment at Northeast Technical Community College increases eight percent over the previous year.

1988

The Northeast student newspaper, “The Viewpoint,” marks its 20th anniversary. The newspaper was previously known as “Iconoclast,” “Maybasket,” and “News Hawk.”

1989

A new swine-farrowing facility opens at the Northeast Technical Community College farm.

1990

The Board of Governors approves a bid to construct a $1.5-million facility between the Science/ Agriculture and Electronics/ Broadcasting Buildings to house Agriculture, Early Childhood Education, English, Journalism, and Nursing programs.

1991

In compliance with LB 663, the College’s name is officially changed to Northeast Community College. Associate Degree Nursing program begins.

1992

Construction begins on a 24-bed addition to the college dormitory. The new Ag/Allied Health Building opens.

1993

Northeast Community College marks the 20th anniversary of the merger of Northeastern Nebraska College and Northeast Nebraska Technical College. Physical Therapist Assistant program begins. Resident tuition and fees for a full-time student (30 credit hours) is $915 a year.

1994

Plans are announced to create a Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast Community College campus. In addition to Northeast, other partners include Wayne State College, the University of Nebraska Research and Extension Center, Madison County Extension Service, Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District, and Educational Service Unit #8.

1995

Dr. Robert Cox, Northeast Community College’s first president, retires. He is succeeded by Dr. James Underwood, former chief academic officer at Richland Community College in Decatur, Illinois. The 23,650-square-foot Diesel Technology Building is constructed.

1996

A $2.5-million goal to raise funds to construct the Lifelong Learning Center is reached. Former “Tonight Show” host and Norfolk native Johnny Carson donates $1 million to the project.

1997

Northeast Community College experiences a record growth enrollment in fiscal year 1997 with 7,278 credit students, an increase of 515 students over the previous fiscal year.

1998

Northeast Community College expands its services with the opening of an education center in O’Neill and a regional office in West Point. Northeast Community College marks its 25th anniversary. Veterinary Technology program begins.

1999

Construction begins on expanding the Student Center to include a larger dining room, a larger cafeteria, a larger child care center, and a bookstore. Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic program begins.

2000

Dr. James Underwood retires as president of Northeast Community College. Northeast becomes one of first partners of One Stop Northeast Career Center in West Point. Northeast programming is conducted in classrooms and office spaces in the center.

2001

Former Northeast Vice President of Student Services Dr. Bill Path is named College president. A $1.7 million, 18,000-square-foot addition to the Ag/Allied Health Building opens. It creates two floors of additional classrooms, labs, offices, storage space, an elevator, and a glass-enclosed walkway to connect with the Science building.

2002

Northeast Community College was recognized as one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the nation by the National Center for Educational Statistics. Northeast was 18th on a list of 50 community colleges with a student enrollment of 2,500-4,999. The Electromechanical program begins.

2003

Construction begins on the 40,500-square-foot Burkhardt Hall. The new residence hall adds 150 new beds, bringing the number of on-campus beds to 350. Resident tuition and fees for a full-time student (30 credit hours) is $1,785 a year. Intercollegiate athletics include men’s and women’s basketball.

2004

A grand opening ceremony is held April 15th for the new Northeast Community College Agriculture Complex. The 48,500-square-foot structure sits one mile east of the main campus.

2005

Construction is completed on a 15,000-square-foot addition to the Cox Activities Center. The new addition houses Audio Recording, Broadcasting and Music. A new 10,000-square-foot education center opens for fall semester in the Westside Technology Park in South Sioux City. A Memorandum of Understanding is signed by the presidents of Northeast Community College and Wayne State College and the executive director of the Nebraska State College System to build a joint facility in South Sioux City.

2006

Plans begin to expand Northeast Community College class offerings in West Point. When construction is completed two years later, Northeast occupies a portion of the new Nielsen Community Center.

2007

A new 36,800-square-foot Utility Line/Truck Driving Building opens just east of Northeast’s main campus.

2008

Construction begins on the $7.7-million College Welcome Center on the Norfolk campus.

2009

Construction begins on the $12 million College Center in South Sioux City that will house Northeast and Wayne State College programming. A new 6,000-square-foot Industrial Training Building also sits on the College Center’s 57 acres. The Wind Energy and Graphic Design programs begin.

2010

Northeast Community College partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center and Faith Regional Health Services to open the J. Paul and Eleanor McIntosh College of Nursing. This follows a successful $12.9 million capital campaign.

2011

Northeast Community College is named one of the nation’s top 120 community colleges by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program. The college received the honor again in 2012. Northeast Community College President Dr. Bill Path resigns.

2012

Dr. Michael Chipps, former president of Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte becomes the fourth president of Northeast Community College. Total credit enrollment is 7,323 and non-credit enrollment is 15,015.

2013

Ground is broken on Northeast’s Norfolk campus for a new Applied Technology Training and Education Building. The Board of Governors authorizes the purchase of land to construct a new extended campus in O’Neill. Northeast Community College offers over 80 programs and concentrations of study. Resident tuition and fees for a full-time student (30 credit hours) is $2,910 a year. Intercollegiate athletics include men’s golf and basketball and women’s volleyball and basketball.