Lake Washington Institute of Technology

History

Lake Washington Technical College was founded in 1949 by Lake Washington School District as an adult vocational training program. At first only offering a sewing program, it expanded to other vocations over the years including automotive, culinary arts and engineering. In 1978, local taxpayers passed a bond issue to construct a new facility for the school. A site then north of Kirkland near Totem Lake (since annexed) was chosen and the school opened by 1983. In 1991 LWTC became independent of the school district and on September 1, 1991 the institute became a degree-granting technical college with all the rights and responsibilities of a technical college as prescribed by state law. The school dental program was initiated in the fall of 1996, the state's first new program in 22 years.

Additions were added to the school including a new administration building in 1994. Ground was broken on August 12, 2002 for a new 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m²) $17 million technology building adjoining the administration (or West Building) that was to add twenty classrooms and a new multi-level library facility to the school. The building was designed by architect Harry Cummings of Cummings & Associates with input from faculty, students and regional employers.

The college expanded again in 2004 with a satellite campus on the edge of Marymoor Park in Redmond replacing a small training building owned by the school that was formerly a missile-repair shop built during the Cold War as part of the Nike Ajax missile-defense system. The 21,000-square-foot (2,000 m²) building features five classrooms, a library, auditorium and office and eating spaces.

On April 18, 2011, Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire signed Substitute Senate Bill 5664 to change the name of Lake Washington Technical College to Lake Washington Institute of Technology. The name change took effect on July 22, 2011.

In 2011, LWTech opened its new 83,000-square-foot (7,700 m²) Allied Health building, housing the college's ever expanding health services programs.

Courses

Lake Washington Institute of Technology's primary purpose is to prepare people for employment, career change, or upgrading occupational skills.

All technical courses offer job-related learning experiences and basic education skills which are needed and in demand by the current job market. Most students enroll in courses which operate on an open-entry, open-exit system.

Training is available in 44 areas of instruction, with more than 100 degree and certificate options in: information technology; business & service; health & fitness; manufacturing & transportation technologies; and arts, language & science. LWTech offers a Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Applied Science in Transportation and Logistics Management.

LWTech offers the Bachelor of Technology in Applied Design (BTAD) program, the first in Washington State. BTAD offers professionals working in the design field the opportunity to earn a four-year degree while obtaining management and supervisory skills. In 2009, LWIT debuted a Funeral Service Education program. This two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program, the only one in Washington, prepares students for employment as funeral directors or professional embalmers.

Accreditation

Lake Washington Institute of Technology is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities at the associate degree level and at the baccalaureate degree level to include the Bachelor of Technology in Applied Design, Bachelor of Applied Science in Public Health and Bachelor of Applied Science in Transportation and Logistics Management.