Calumet College of Saint Joseph

Calumet College of Saint Joseph stands as a beacon of educational opportunity in the Calumet Region, boasting a remarkable journey from a humble extension campus to a fully independent, degree-granting institution. Its story began in 1951 as the Calumet Center, an extension of St. Joseph's College of Rensselaer, initially operating from borrowed classrooms within local churches and schools, demonstrating an early commitment to bringing higher education directly to the community.

By 1960, a pivotal moment arrived when the Board of Control authorized the expansion of the Calumet Center into a comprehensive four-year college. This transformation marked Calumet College as the very first institution in the region to offer baccalaureate degrees, an achievement that cemented its historical significance and trailblazing spirit. The college then moved into its first dedicated building in East Chicago, and throughout the 1960s, it steadily expanded its footprint, acquiring and receiving donations of buildings to house classrooms, administrative offices, a library, laboratories, a theater, a communications center, and student recreational facilities.

The college continued its evolution, officially separating from St. Joseph's College in 1973 and gaining its current name. A monumental step in its development occurred in December 1973, when the American Oil Company generously deeded its research and development facilities along with 256 acres of land to Calumet College. This extraordinary donation propelled the college into a new era, allowing it to move into its extensive modern campus in January 1976, where it now utilizes the largest of 23 buildings. Calumet College of Saint Joseph today continues its legacy of providing accessible and quality education, rooted in a history of profound growth and community engagement.