History of Northwest Technical College

Bemidji Area Vocational Technical Institute was born

Sep 6, 1962

Jake Outwin, a Bemidji High School teacher, recognized that the region needed a workforce with practical skills and knowledge necessary for professional opportunities. The two-year college began with two programs, Carpentry & Automotive Mechanics.

New programs were added!

Sep 6, 1965

Over the years, the college added several new medical and business programs.

Liz Torgeson sent home from AVTI!

Sep 16, 1975

Liz, a current student was sent home for inappropriate dress. Her skirt was 2.5" above her knee and it should have been only 1" above her knee. TRUE STORY!!

Gary Sorenson hired for Accounting!

Nov 8, 1976

After a long process of head hunting, Gary agreed to joing AVTI as an accounting instructor.