Sheldon Jackson College

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Sheldon Jackson College


Established	1878
President	Rev. Dr. David Dobler
Faculty	17
Staff	18
Students	250
Location	Sitka, AK,, USA
Address	801 Lincoln Street Sitka, AK 99835
Telephone	1.800.478.4556
Campus	Rural
Website	www.sheldonjackson.edu

Sheldon Jackson College (SJC) is a small private college located on Baranof Island in Sitka, Alaska, United States. Founded in 1878, it is the oldest institution of higher learning in Alaska and maintains a historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church. Named in honor of Rev. Sheldon Jackson, an early missionary and educational leader in Alaska, the school is fully accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

1 History
2 Campus institutions
3 Notes
4 External links

[edit] History

Similar to the Carlisle Indian School, SJC was initially formed as a "training" school for Alaska Natives. The school was founded in 1878 by Fannie Kellogg and future Governor of Alaska John G. Brady for the Tlingit people. Initially known as the Sitka Industrial and Training School, it nearly closed in 1882 after its original facility, located over a military barracks, burned down. The Presbyterian missionary Sheldon Jackson came to the rescue of the school, raising funds through a national campaign, leading to the construction of a new building on the site of the present campus. In 1910, after Rev. Jackson passed away, the school was renamed in his honor.

SJC added a boarding high school in 1917, and a college program in 1944. The college program gained accreditation in 1966 and the high school was closed the following year. In 1972, the school was added to the National Register of Historic Places.^[1] Alaska Natives still make up over 25% of the student population.

The school's accreditation is currently under review by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and State of Alaska, a process that happens nationally with colleges and universities. About this process, President David Dobler said, "SJC’s current authorization to operate as an Alaska postsecondary institution has been extended until July 2006, and SJC, at that time, will be required to provide the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education (ACPE) with documentation of financial and administrative capacity in order for authorization to be renewed."^[2] Similarly, the college is under a "show cause" order from the Northwest Commission and must "show cause" why its regional accreditation should not be revoked.