History
Accreditation History
Yankton College was first accredited by the Commission of Institutions of Higher Education
of the North Central Association in 1921. Although the college closed in December 1984, graduating seniors were able to
complete an accredited Yankton College degree with transfer credit through September 1985.
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| The Past |
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Yankton College was the first institution of higher learning in the Dakota territory, which included the present states of SD, ND, Montana, Wyoming, and parts of Idaho and Nebraska. In 1868 Dr. Joseph Ward came as missionary pastor to the Yankton Congregational Church. Dr. Ward organized Yankton Academy in 1872, acknowledged in its day as the Territory's most advanced educational institution; the Academy eventually became Yankton's public high school. In 1881, he began the building of Yankton College. |
| Although the enrollment at YC was never large, the main tradition at Yankton College was to provide quality liberal arts education. Among its distinctions was the Conservatory of Music, the astronomical Observatory, the open-air Garden Terrace Theater, several Rhodes Scholars and a record breaking athletic program. |
| Dr. Ward expressed his vision in his inaugural address: |
| "If a college did nothing else in this Western land than, by its sharp contrast with eager haste for wealth and power, to show by its quiet, patient, long continuous following of something that did not immediately pay, that life had another and possibly a wiser interpretation, this result alone would justify all that is done to build it up... |
| "What can be nobler than to found an institution that, by the simple force of its daily life, shall go out among the young and call each one to a higher life than he could have found without it!" |
| It is because of this vision and the play of the environment that it created upon the men and women who sought its ideal, that more than twenty years after its closing, Yankton College continues. |
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| Yankton College 1912 |
The Present
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Yankton College has kept an office open since the closing in 1984 and the later sale of the
campus to the Federal Prison System. In 1996, Yankton College contributed $336,000 to the building of the Yankton High
School and Summit Activities Center. This allowed both the small theater, named the Yankton College Alumni Hall, as well as
the space that houses the Yankton College office to be added to the building. Visitors to the Yankton College office will
find history very much alive. On view are copies of the college yearbooks, bound scrapbooks and copies of the student
newspaper, in addition to memorabilia from each era of YC's existence.
Transcripts
Yankton College maintains the transcripts, teaching credentials, and other records that its
alumni need in this changing world.
Alumni Association
Twice yearly a 16-page newsletter goes out to alumni and friends to keep them informed about
each others lives and the life of the College.
In even numbered years, Yankton College
sponsors an All-Class Reunion. Typically 300+ people attend the 2-3 day event
that includes individual class get-togethers, the Letterwinners Lunch, alumni
awards, a tour of the old campus, a banquet, and other events.
Regional YC gatherings have been held, and more are planned for the future.
Scholarships
One of
the important ways that Yankton College continues to foster the cause of
private, liberal arts education is by awarding scholarships to worthy
students to continue their education. Since 1990, Yankton College has
awarded over $240,000 to more than 200 students to begin college or
graduate studies.
A degree of preference is
given to those students whose families have ties to Yankton College,
many of whom would probably have attended YC. However, the selection
process is completely blinded, and everyone is welcome to apply.
People have generously
contributed money and memorial gifts to the general scholarship fund,
which annually awards music and athletic scholarships. Larger gifts
have honored Grace E. Johnson-Brenna, Harriet & Fredrick Riggs, and
Harry Speece for a specific number of scholarships. "Named" scholarships
are those in which a donor has contributed sufficient endowment that
scholarships may be awarded each year in perpetuity. Among these are
scholarships honoring the Brown-Daniels Family, Carl & Cle Youngworth,
Rosamond Burgi Hall, Dr. Fritz A. Brink, Rev.Dr. Donald B. Ward, the
Rivola Family, Millard Bennett and Donald Walter, and Isabel Reedy
Sattler.
Licensed Ministry Program
As the needs and resources of churches change, the face of ministry must also change. This
fact necessitates furnishing alternative and creative ways of providing ministry to rural churches. Since the fall of 1996,
Yankton College has partnered with the SD UCC Conference to offer a course of study that enables lay persons to become
licensed to perform the functions of the pastoral office with integrity and understanding. Because of the success of the
program an additional program has been added to train Religious Educators.
Both programs are a three year course of study. In June 1999, Yankton College had her first
graduates in many years, with 10 men and women receiving their Licensed Ministry Certification.
Other Programs
Because the Board of Trustees has felt it important not to limit our vision by the limits of
our endowment, Yankton College has sought partners in its efforts to sponsor and develop programs of worth.
One of those programs involved a two year association with the SD Humanities Council, SD
Arts Association, and the SD State Library in an effort to bring nationally published SD writers into SD communities. The
collaboration, called Dakota Visions-Reflections on the Land has brought six excellent authors to Yankton to interact
with adult and student readers and writers.
Another collaborative effort has brought The Siouxland Master Chorale and nearly 100
singers and an over 30-piece orchestra to Yankton for two magnificent concerts.
Yankton College is proud to join with Yankton High School to sponsor the Yankton High
School/Yankton College Regional Orchestra Festival.
Other Projects
Among completed projects is a long overdue complete history of Yankton College. Written by
Bob Karolevitz, this book is available for purchase from the Yankton College office.
Many other projects are under discussion and will come to fruition as funds become available
for their development.
Administration
Yankton College is governed by a 20 member volunteer Board of Trustees. In addition, the
Alumni Advisory Board offers assistance to the Board of Trustees and oversees the Alumni Association.
Full-time staff include Elizabeth Elbe, Executive Director, and office assistant Judi Olson.
Other staff are Cindy Filips, alumni assistant, and Elaine Miller, administrator of the Licensed Ministry Program.
The National Statuary Hall Collection
| In the United States Capitol is comprised of statues donated
by individual states to honor persons notable in their history. The entire collection now consists of 97 statues
contributed by 50 states. This marble likeness of Yankton College founder Joseph Ward was sculpted by Bruno Beghe. Given
in 1963; it is one of SD's two statues and is located in the Hall of Columns. The following website from the Architect
of the Capitol has more information: |
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Yankton College Mission Statement |
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Yankton College
re-affirms its proud heritage by
looking to the future
to find new ways to further its support
of a liberal arts philosophy;
to develop moral and ethical character
and the whole person;
to support individuals to be successful
in their chosen careers;
and to instill the attitude that education
is a life-long process.
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