History-Centennial 2011

Gateway Technical College laid the cornerstone of career training when Racine Continuation School began classes Nov. 3, 1911 as the first compulsory, publicly-funded school in Wisconsin - and, in doing so, also became the first in America.

From a single building in 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 technical education schools in 1911, but it spread quickly to the rest of the United States. Technical education continues to write the future of our country's employers and the careers of its workers.

From its inception, Gateway has provided students with education and training to pave the way for their career and their future. Training has been tailored to the needs of the industry of the day - addressing traditional as well as those emerging career fields. Gateway continues to serve its communities by supplying local industry with trained workers and residents with opportunities to gain solid paying careers.

Gateway is celebrating its 100-year foundation as it looks forward to the future of the college and of its more than 25,000 students it serves each year in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth counties.  We invite you to follow along this year as we revisit the past and plan for the future.

Media from the Centennial Celebration held July 12 on the Racine Campus:

• Photos from July 12, 2011 Centennial Celebration at the Racine Campus of Gateway Technical College
• Video-archived webcast of July 12, 2011 Centennial Celebration Commemorative Program
• Slide show--An overview of the July 12th Centennial Celebration event.