Bismarck State College

Bismarck State College (BSC), formerly known as Bismarck Junior College (BJC), is a public community college operating within the North Dakota University System. BSC is the third-largest school within the system, serving about 4,000 students annually, with only University of North Dakota (UND) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) having higher enrollment. It serves upwards of around 20,000 people in total when including continuing education and enrichment programs.

While it is not a university in the technical sense, it does offer four-year programs either directly or through partner institutions and offers features common on universities including dormitories. While the primary campus is located in northwest Bismarck, the school has several satellite campus offering specialty programs. In total, more than 100 degree and technical programs can be earned at BSC.

History

Voters authorized a junior college in a special election held on June 5, 1939. Bismarck Junior College held its first classes on September 4th of that year, with classes held on the third floor of the Bismarck High School building. Only a one-year program was initially available, consisting of general education courses. Its initial enrollment included 68* (sources vary – see footnote) students, with 4** part-time teachers.

In 1951, the state legislature approved deeding 15 acres of land adjacent to the State Capitol for a dedicated college campus. Voters overwhelmingly approved an 8-mill tax levy to operate and maintain the school. Prior to that, the college was financed entirely through tuition. Bismarck Junior College moved into its own facility at 900 Boulevard Avenue four years later, in 1955. By 1959, the college had already outgrown its new campus and the increasingly overcrowded state government sought the building’s space, which prompted the college to again relocate. The 1950s campus building on the Capitol Grounds underwent demolition in 2024.

Current Campus

Bismarck State College: Schafer Hall

Harold Schafer, a prominent local entrepreneur, donated 70 acres of land on Meadowlark Hill overlooking the Missouri River to house the growing college, where the campus remains today. The first building constructed on the site, Schafer Heights (now Schafer Hall) was completed in 1961 for $1 million and named in his honor.

BJC to BSC

In 1984, Bismarck Junior College became part of North Dakota’s system of higher education, making it possible to enable partnerships with other state colleges and universities. Prior to this, the college was administered by Bismarck Public Schools.

For a brief time following its entry into the state university system, the school operated as Bismarck State Community College. The 50th Legislative Assembly formerly adopted Bismarck State College as its identity in 1987.

Prior to adopting Bismarck State College as its moniker, much consideration was given to using the campus as an extension of Grand Forks-based University of North Dakota, where it would have been called University of North Dakota-Bismarck.

Armory

The Armory was completed adjacent to the campus in 1962, one year after the opening of Schafer Hall. The college operated the building jointly with the National Guard until full ownership was transferred to BSC in 1989.

Jack Science Center

In 1998, the Jack Science Center was the first building completed on the campus in nearly twenty years. The 74,340-square foot facility expanded the campus footprint by 30%. At the time of completion, it was touted as the most advanced science center in North Dakota. At opening, the Jack Science Center housed courses for math, science, computer and engineering. It was named to honor Tom and Margaret Jack, who made a quarter-million dollar contribution to the college’s foundation in 1991.

National Center of Excellence

National Energy Center

Another major building achievement came with the completion of the National Energy Center of Excellence, in 2008. The new 106,200-square foot facility primarily housed energy technology programs, as well as continuing education and training programs.

Recent History

The $9.4 million BSC Aquatic Center was completed in 2010. BSC operates the facility jointly with the Bismarck Park Board, who manages the center.

The Career Academy was also completed in 2010.

In 2015, BSC celebrated the construction of three new buildings, the most prominent of which was the 40,000-square foot Communications and Creative Arts Center. The Center replaced the 1968-built library and also houses a learning commons, campus gallery, the Visual Art program, and English classrooms.

In 2019, the school began offering a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS)Cybersecurity and Information Technology. The following year BSC because North Dakota’s only polytechnic institution.

Building Timeline

1961 – Schafer Hall

1962 – Armory (Transferred to BSC ownership in 1989)

1965 – Warner Hall

1968 – Library (Demolished in 2015)

1972 – Swensen Hall

1974 – Technical Center

1974 – Student Union

1979 – Mystic Hall

1997 – Bismarck Community Bowl (approved in 1994)

1998 – Jack Science Center

2001 – Leach Music Center

2007 – Mandan Campus

2008 – National Energy Center of Excellence

2008 – Lidstrom Hall

2010 – BSC Aquatic & Wellness Center, BPS Career Academy

2015 – Communications and Creative Arts Center, Lloyd Ritchie Residence Hall,

2016 – Gate City Bank Residence Hall

Pictures

Logos

External Links

• Bismarck State College Homepage
• Bismarck State College History

*Initial enrollment figures are unconfirmed. One source states initial enrollment was 73 students, Bismarck State College’s website lists the initial enrollment was 104, while a Bismarck Tribune article from September 1939 lists 68.

**Bismarck State College’s 75-anniversary special publication listed 12 initial instructors.

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