Sheldon Jackson College

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

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 died, 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.

The school was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

Alaska Natives still made up over 25% of the last student body.

Recent events

The school's accreditation was recently 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." 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.

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