Here's a link to some photos from the "2019 Hobnob" -
"Valpo Tech Newsletter and Public Documents" -
< - - - - - See all the "Valpo Tech Newsletters and Public Documents"
courtesy of Lee Hite - Side Bar to left -
Sadly a note (October 2017) from Leland Hite: "When we began this publication, (January 2015) we announced it would continue until VTI content became unavailable. As 2017 progressed, we noticed a considerable reduction in newsletter submissions. Many of the articles originated from non-VTI retired railroad telegraphy employees and we greatly appreciate their contribution. Consequently, the end has arrived and this is the final edition. Thanks for being a reader. Kind Regards: Lee Hite, VTI-1966
Updated October 29, 2017
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History (How Valpo Tech Earned the Respect Of the Electronics Industry)
By Leland L. Hite VTI Class of 1966 May 25, 2015
< - - - - - See "History (Dodge To VTI)" - Side Bar to left -Added June 29, 2015
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Looking For Stories
Lee Hite (K8CLI) VTI - Class of 1966 is collecting stories, comments and antidotes for the July Newsletter from your days at VTI, or perhaps an interesting career achievement, or maybe a hobby accomplishment -
Alums want to hear from Alums so to jump in and Say Something -
Send Email to valpotech@gmail.com
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Skype™ Night
1st Tuesday Of The Month @ 9 PM EST
Lowell Katz and Lee Hite (K8CLI) have been kind enough to use their talents to create a "Valpo Tech Skype™ Night" -
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< - - - - - See files in "Links" - Side Bar to left -
Added January 31, 2015
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"Interviews & Video Clips"
(In Alphabetical order) -
Mr. Wiggins
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Added January 20, 2015
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“Valparaiso Technical Institute” (VTI) specialized in Radio Engineering, Television, Broadcasting, Police and Aviation Radio, Ultra High Frequency, and all related Electronic training.
VTI was originally established as a department of the “Northern Indiana Normal School” in 1874 by G. A. Dodge. At that time, Dodge was employed as telegrapher of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad and saw opportunity in better educating future telegraphers. Reorganized by Dodge and F. R. Lunbeck in 1891, the school flourished and became the largest telegraph and railway instruction institution in the United States and later became known as “The Dodge Institute of Telegraphy”.
As radio entered the scene, training in "wireless" communication was added to the curriculum of the institute. Dr. J. B. Hershman purchased the “Dodge Institute” in 1939.
He moved the campus to the site formerly home of "Herald Press , established in 1887. In 1869 the company was incorporated as "Powers - Higley & Company". Their initial line of products focused on educational materials a personal wooden desk that included a blackboard and a scrolling educational lithograph was produced, called the "Chautauqua Desk" - this desk became a very successful product for the company. "Powers-Higley & Company" products were marketed by the "L. E. Myers Sales Company", founded by L. E. Myers. By 1913, "Powers-Higley & Company" and "L. E. Myers Sales Company" had merged and operated under the name of" L. E. Myers Company". Around 1915, the company was sold, but continued operating under the "L. E. Myers Company" name. In 1921, a nonprofit company, the "Children's Foundation of Valparaiso", became affiliated with "L. E. Myers Company". The foundation focused primarily on the publication of educational materials for children. Immediately south of this building was the Pitkin & Brooks building, which was a manufacturer of glassware.
Following World War II, the Dodge Institute was renamed the “Valparaiso Technical Institute” (VTI).
Dr. J. B. Hershman changed the name to "Valparaiso Technical Institute" in 1944.
Classes at Valpo Tech after WWII were almost totally veterans going to school under the GI Bill. In 1953 Valpo Tech had about 85% GI's.
Classes in the Fall 1990 session were finally cancelled due to the fact the faculty had all retired or quit. Students in the lower semesters just lost what investment they had made. Students in the Sixth Semester stood to lose a lot, diplomas and degrees for those who qualified. A meeting was held with these students and several faculty, where an agreement was made that Valpo Tech would rent classroom space, some of the retired faculty would come back and teach, all so that they got legitimate diplomas or degrees.
Valparaiso Technical Institute went defunct in April of 1991, ending 117 years of operation.
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Information courtesy of:
Collection: Steven R. Shook
Date: Circa 1950s
Publisher, Printer, Photographer: Valparaiso Technical Institute Bookstore, Dexter Press (#42063)
http://www.inportercounty.org/PhotoPages/Valparaiso/Schools/Valparaiso-Schools060.html
http://www.inportercounty.org/Data/PorterCountyCentennial/Sec2-14_MorganHome.html
Don E. 'Gene' Wiggins http://www.qcwa.org/w9cwg-06040.htm
Lee Hite