Page 19 - 2022 January Report

Oglala Lakota College
Box 490 Piya Wiconi Rd, Kyle, SD 57752
Phone 605 455-6000 FAX 605 455-2787 www.olc.edu
PRESS RELEASE: January 5, 2022 For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: Thomas Shortbull President
30 years - Our Journey Continues Oglala Lakota College press release
605-455-6020 OLC ANNOUNCES PRESIDENT SHORTBULL’S RETIREMENT
Kyle, SD: The Board of Trustees of Oglala Lakota announced today the retirement of its President, Thomas Shortbull. He will turn over the leadership of the College on July 9, 2022.
“On behalf of the OLC Board of Trustees, we want to express our appreciation to President Shortbull for all he has done for our College, and especially his importance to our students, faculty, staff, and the Lakota people of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, Rapid City and the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation,” stated Board President Dennis Brewer.
The Oglala Sioux Tribe chartered the College on March 4, 1971, and a celebration of its 50th Anniversary occurred in 2021. OLC is very appreciative of the support it has received from its the Oglala Sioux Tribe and Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. President Shortbull,75, has been the College’s President on two occasions from 1975-79 and 1995-2022. In total, he has been President for 31 of the College’s 50-year history.
During his first Presidency, Shortbull played a significant role in Congress passing the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act (TCCCA) that provides operational funding to tribal colleges.
In 1978, as a result of a request from President Shortbull, the Oglala Sioux Tribe transferred the use of a building that was under construction and meant to be a new OST Tribal Council Building to the College. For the last 43 years, this building named Piya Wiconi (New Life) has been the administrative headquarters of the College.
On January 4, 1995, he returned to the College for his second presidency and over the last 27 years, there have been major improvements in the College’s infrastructure. From 1995-99, a new Woksape Tipi (Library Building) and new college centers at Pine Ridge, Porcupine, Oglala, Allen, Wanblee, Manderson, Martin, and Rapid City were completed.
Other improvements during his tenure included a Veteran’s Monument; OLC Historical Center; student dormitories at Pine Ridge and Kyle; new Head Start Centers at Wanblee, Kyle, Manderson, Martin; renovation of Pine Ridge Head Start Center; a Multi-purpose Building housing a collegiate gym and faculty offices; a Bookstore; a Math and Science Building; an automotive classroom building; 5 faculty/staff housing units; and two new Kyle College Center buildings.
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