About Us
Timeline of Educational Excellence
Forty-Five 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.
2014
Northeast Community College signs articulation agreements with Bellevue University and Concordia University. Ground is broken for the new Path (residence) Hall and Hawks Point dining facility on the Norfolk campus. The Kenneth J. Echtenkamp Information Technology building is dedicated. Northeast opens a new regional office in Hartington.
2015
Northeast Community College is named as one of four national finalists for the American Association of Community College’s 2015 Exemplary CEO/Board of Trustees Award of Excellence. The Northeast Community College Board of Governors adopts a new mission statement, Northeast Community College is dedicated to the success of students and the region it serves. The board approves the five year, Vision 2020 strategic plan. Northeast dedicates and opens its new extended campus facility in O’Neill and a new regional office in Ainsworth. The new Applied Technology and Physical Plant buildings open on the Norfolk campus. Intercollegiate men’s soccer and women’s softball are added to the athletic lineup.
2016
A record 916 students are honored during Northeast Community College’s 43rd annual commencement ceremony. Northeast is named as a top ten national finalist for the prestigious Aspen (Institute) Prize for Community College Excellence. Northeast’s Service Center is recognized with the Association of College and University Technology Advancement’s 2016 Award of Institutional Excellence in Information Technology. Northeast is presented with a Silver Award of Excellence for student support services at the World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics World Congress in Vitória, Brazil. Northeast opens its new Path (residence) Hall and Hawks Points dining facility in Hawks Village. Women’s soccer is added to the intercollegiate athletic lineup.
2017
Northeast Community College’s Phi Theta Kappa Tau Chi chapter earned its first-ever five-star status. His Excellency Edward Yakobe Sawerengera, ambassador to the United States from the African Republic of Malawi, led a five-member delegation to Nebraska which included an all-day visit to Northeast to learn about the institution and America’s higher education system.
The Association of Community College Trustees presented Dr. Michael Chipps, president, with its Western Region CEO Award.
The "Hawk Sculpture Campus Tradition" was presented the 2017 National Service Project of the Year Award from the Association of the Promotion of Campus Activities.
2018
Board member Steven Anderson was recognized by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) with its Western Region Trustee Leadership Award, while Diane Reikofski, board recording secretary and executive assistant to the college president, received ACCT’s Western Region Professional Board Staff Member Award.
Michael Roeber, agriculture/livestock judging instructor, was presented the Nebraska Community College Association’s Faculty Member Award. The Night Hawks Escape Room, sponsored by the Student Activities Council, was presented the 2018 National Event of the Year award from the Association of the Promotion of Campus Activities.
2019
The Aspen Institute named Northeast Community College as one of the Top 150 community colleges in the United States. Dr. Michael Chipps, president, retired; Mary Honke and Steve Schram are named as co-interim presidents. Dr. Leah Barrett, former vice president for student affairs for the Northern Wyoming Community College District, was named the fifth president of Northeast Community College. A ribbon cutting ceremony is held for the Donald E. Nielsen Career and Technical Education Center in West Point. The Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities presents Tia Smith, president of Northeast’s Student Activities Council, with its national Student Programmer of the Year award.