Lake Area Tech

08/21/2026

Today we welcomed over 100 new students to New Student Orientation. Students explored their departments, met with faculty, and toured campus to get ready for Day 1. From navigating classrooms to finding their favorite study spots, our newest students are officially ready to hit the ground running.

Welcome to the Lake Area Tech!

08/18/2026

We're excited to kick off the school year with Rock the Block on September 9, featuring rising country duo LAKEVIEW!

Grab your friends and join us on Maple Street in front of the The Goss Opera House for a night of music, games, food, and fun.

The Details:
6:00 - Food Vendors Open
7:00 - Live music from My Monday Regret
8:30 - LAKEVIEW takes the stage

Rock the Block is presented by First PREMIER Bank / PREMIER Bankcard and Watertown Ford Chrysler

The event is FREE and open to the public! Food is available for purchase.

For more information, visit thegossoperahouse.com/events/lakeview-latc-rock-the-block/

See you there!

08/17/2026

This month, we're recognizing some incredible milestones on our team:

- 5 Years: Adam Fischbach, Marcus Howard, Mark Iverson, Kristi Lutgen, Michael Mack, Erin Meland, April Noem, Ashley Oakes, Heather Pagel, Tyler Rumpca, Jennifer Severson, Vanessa Snell, Steven Trautner
- 10 Years: Joshua Jutting, Shane Swenson
- 15 Years: Todd Bretschneider, Casey Feininger, Nicole Pahl, Amber Schleusner
- 20 Years: Brooks Jacobsen, Jamison Jalbert, Karen Rector, Nicki Yackley-Franken

From five years to twenty, each of you has helped shape who we are as a team. Thank you for your dedication, hard work, and everything you bring to Lake Area Tech every day. Here's to many more years ahead!

08/14/2026

We're hiring a Center Director for Agriculture & Energy Programs!
Join the team at LATC and help lead the next generation of Ag & Energy professionals. In this role, you'll provide academic leadership, oversee faculty and program operations, maintain accreditation, and help students succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
📍 Watertown, SD
⏰ Full-time
Apply online, or share with a friend who would be a good fit! https://watertown.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx

08/14/2026

We're proud to celebrate alumnus Wayne Jensen on his retirement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and this incredible career milestone!

Wayne has been honored with the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award - the FAA's highest recognition for aviation maintenance professionals, named after Charles Taylor, the mechanic who built the engine for the Wright Brothers' first flight. This prestigious award is presented to individuals with 50+ years of dedicated service in aviation maintenance.

From his time as a 1975 graduate to five decades shaping the skies, Wayne's career is a testament to skill, dedication, and passion for aviation.

Congratulations, Wayne — thank you for your service to aviation!

08/10/2026

Join us for the Feuerstein Series on Oct. 5 when Olympian Sarah Wells delivers her keynote topic: Overcoming Hurdles: Embracing Change and Turning Obstacles into Opportunities.

The Lake Area Technical College Foundation is excited to announce the return of the Feuerstein Series. The Feuerstein Series was established in 2000 by Lew Feuerstein, along with family and friends, in memory of his late wife, Dee Feuerstein.

The featured speaker for the 22nd Feuerstein Series is Sarah Wells.

Sarah is an Olympian, keynote speaker, excellence architect, mom to Everleigh, and cookie connoisseur. Sarah doesn’t just talk about overcoming adversity, she hurdled it on the world’s biggest stage. She even raced across deserts, mountains, and international airports on The Amazing Race, proving once again that grit, adaptability, and a little bit of laughter go a long way. Her mission is to prove that excellence is not exclusive, it’s contagious!

Sarah’s keynote topic is Overcoming Hurdles: Embracing Change and Turning Obstacles into Opportunities. Change is constant and how we respond to it defines the trajectory of our success.

Click the link to purchase tickets to attend or sponsor the event:
https://www.lakeareatech.edu/foundation/foundation-events/

08/06/2026

We were honored to welcome Bill Even, Commissioner of the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and Chris Larson, State Energy Development Director, to campus for a conversation about the future of workforce education in South Dakota.

Joined by Vice President Cam Corey, the group discussed opportunities to expand programs in Radiologic Technology, Industrial Refrigeration, Water Treatment, HVAC, and other energy-related careers. These are all critical fields that help meet workforce needs and support our state’s continued growth.

At LATC, we’re proud to collaborate with state leaders to ensure students are prepared for the high-demand careers shaping South Dakota’s future.

08/03/2026

Lake Area Tech looks forward to adding a Radiologic Technology Program to our program list!

Lake Area Technical College in Watertown is adding a radiology technician program. That’s following approval from a state board.

⬇️Read More⬇️
https://www.sdpb.org/education/2026-07-31/state-board-approves-radiology-technician-program-at-lake-area-tech

07/30/2026

07/29/2026

Huge congrats to Katie Paulson, CTSO Center Director, on being named SDACTE Administrator of the Year! Her leadership and dedication to student organizations across the state truly shows. Well done, Katie!

CTSO Center Director, Katie Paulson was named SDACTE Administrator of the Year. With the great work of Educators Rising South Dakota, South Dakota FBLA, South Dakota FCCLA, South Dakota FFA Association, South Dakota HOSA -Future Health Professionals, & SkillsUSA South Dakota in building our states future leaders; we celebrate all of the accomplishments of the past year. Congratulations!