History
Presentation College has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (previously known as the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) since 1971. Presentation College conferred a diploma on its graduates until 1966 when the College began to confer associate degrees in Arts and in Science. In 1990, the College was accredited to also offer four-year professional baccalaureate programs.
In 1980, the Cheyenne River Lakota Nursing School at Eagle Butte, South Dakota, a satellite of the nursing program of Presentation College, enrolled the first class of Native American students. In 1991, the name of the school was changed to Presentation College-Lakota Campus.
The athletics program began in 1995 and continues to grow and expand. The 1,200-seat Strode Activity Center was dedicated in 1998 as the home of Saints Athletics. The College participated in athletics at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III level until April 2013 when it became an approved member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Presentation College offers male and female students the opportunity to participate in a number of sports including basketball, soccer, softball, baseball, golf, volleyball, and football.
A new student housing complex opened in 1999, featuring suites with private bedrooms, semi-private bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and Internet access.
Distance learning programs at the College were added in 2000 under the umbrella known as PC Virtual. PC Virtual currently includes distance-based programs in a variety of areas. The classroom work for these programs is offered completely online to students who reside in states where Presentation College has received state approval to operate.
In 2003, Presentation College-Fairmont Campus was opened in the community of Fairmont, Minnesota. In 2006, Presentation College offered programs within the Sioux Falls, South Dakota, area on the campus of Kilian College. The College moved its Sioux Falls offerings to an independent location in Sioux Falls in May 2013.
In the 2011-2012 academic year the College completed a renovation of its chemistry, biology, anatomy and physiology and athletic training lab facilities. During that time period, the College also invested in infrastructure and programming by constructing a practice football field with artificial turf and by expanding the Strode athletic facility to accommodate the addition of football as a conference sport.
In November 2012, Presentation College began construction on a multi-million dollar student suites housing facility and an athletic training and wellness center. In addition to the new suites and wellness center, construction includes a campus beautification project to move all roads and parking to the perimeter of the campus and create a central campus green.
The College, in 1998, received the ABBY Award for Community Involvement; in 2002, the Outstanding Rural Health Program Award from the National Rural Health Association recognizing SEED (Skills Enhancement & Education Through Distance Learning); and in 2008, the Corporation for National and Community Service named Presentation College to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.