Presentation College is a Catholic private college located in South Dakota and Minnesota, split across campuses in Aberdeen, and Sioux Falls in South Dakota and Fairmont, Minnesota. The college, founded in 1951, has a current enrollment of 786 students.
History
Presentation College is an independent Catholic educational institution, sponsored by the Sisters of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (PBVM). The college began in Mitchell, S.D. in 1922, when the Right Reverend Monsignor J.M. Brady, Pastor of Holy Family Church, established Notre Dame Junior College, a parochial junior college. Notre Dame Junior College operated in Mitchell until 1951, when Brady gave sponsorship of the school to the Presentation Sisters, who staffed the school from its inception.
The name was changed to Presentation College and the campus moved to Aberdeen. The campus was housed in Butler Hall at the Presentation Convent for three years before moving to its present 100-acre (40Â ha) location. In 1968 the college became co-educational.
The 1,200-seat Strode Activity Center was dedicated in 1998 as the home of Saints Athletics. A new student housing complex opened in 1999, featuring suites with private bedrooms, semi-private bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, computers and Internet access. A new dining and recreation hall opened in 2000, and in 2005 Presentation College launched its Wireless Initiative, which provides a dynamic learning environment for students with access to a flexible and ubiquitous learning community.
Presentation College has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1971. The College conferred diplomas to its graduates until 1966, when the College began offering associate degrees in Arts and Sciences. In 1990 the College was also accredited to confer four-year professional baccalaureate programs.
In 1980 the Cheyenne River Lakota Nursing School in Eagle Butte, S.D., became a satellite of the nursing program at Presentation College and enrolled its first class of Native American students. In 1991 the name of the school was changed to Presentation College-Lakota Campus. In 2013, Presentation College announced that it would be closing its outreach, Lakota Campus on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation in Eagle Butte, S.D., next May 2014 with a plan in place to teach out all remaining students currently enrolled at the site before closing. There were many deciding factors that went into this decision. The Presentation Sisters’ and the college have accomplished the mission in Eagle Butte and have provided a great service over the past three decades since the campus opened.
In 2003 a second satellite location, Presentation College â€" Fairmont Campus, was opened its doors in Fairmont, Minn.
In 2006 Presentation College partnered with Kilian Community College in Sioux Falls, S.D., to offer a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work. As of May 2013, they no longer have this partnership, in 2014 the Social Work program is now offered in full at the Aberdeen campus.
The College received the ABBY Award for Community Involvement in 1998 and the Outstanding Rural Health Program Award from the National Rural Health Association in 2002.
Location
PC is located on a 100-acre (40Â ha) campus at 1500 N. Main Street in Aberdeen, S.D. A branch campus exists in Fairmont, Minn. The College also offers instruction online through PC Virtual.
Academics
PC offers Bachelor degree programs in American studies, athletic training, biology, business, nursing, communication, criminal justice, radiologic technology, and social work. Associate degree programs offered at Presentation College include biology, business, chemistry, communication, exercise science, medical assisting, medical office administration, radiologic technology, and surgical technology. Minors offered at PC include Agricultural Business Management, biology, business essentials, coaching, communication, Corporate Recreation/Fitness, criminal justice, finance, generalist in psychology, health services administration, management, nutrition, psychology, religious studies, sports and wellness, sports psychology, and women and children's global issues. Also, certificate programs are offered in medical coding and surgical technology. Presentation College is known for its excellence in academics, offering Bachelor of Science, Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, and Certificate programs through a number of delivery methods to suit the individual student’s needs.
PC is also known for its distinctive and outstanding academics, focusing on health and medical-related programs, professional staff and faculty, and individualized lettering. The academic programs include classroom work and on-the-job experience gained through internships, externships and supervised clinical practice. Graduates are highly sought. Presentation's most popular program is nursing, due in large part to the fact that Northern State University also in Aberdeen, does not offer a path to RN or LPN.
Admission policy
A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or GED minimum score of 450, and an ACT composite score of 18 or above, or a 940 minimum SAT score (math and reading.) The cumulative high school GPA is considered for first-time students, while cumulative college GPA is considered for transfer students.Presentation College will accept the GED and students who are schooled at home. Transfer students may be admitted from any accredited college, university, or technical school. All college credits completed with a grade of C or above will be evaluated for acceptance to the College. The Registrar and appropriate Department Chair(s) or Vice President of Academics, will approve the application of transfer credits for specific Presentation College courses. More information about transfer credits and transcript evaluations may be obtained through the College Catalog or your Admissions Representative.
Financial aid
Presentation College serves a large part of its student body through an extensive financial aid program. Aid available through federal programs includes the PELL Grant, Perkins Loan, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Academic Competitiveness Grant, SMART Grant and Work-Study Program. Other sources of aid include institutional scholarships, student employment, loans and grants. Approximately 99% of Presentation College’s students receive financial aid.
Athletics
Presentation College is a member of both the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and of the North Star Athletic Association (NSAA).The athletic department at Presentation College offers ten sports, including Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Football, Men’s Baseball, Women’s Fast-Pitch Softball and Men’s and Women’s Golf. Athletic scholarships are available.
External links
- Official website
- Official athletics website
- Presentation College, South Dakota at National Center for Education Statistics: College Navigator
