Valparaiso Technical Institute

Valparaiso Technical Institute (1874–1991), previously located in Valparaiso, Indiana, was originally established by G.A. Dodge as a department of Northern Indiana Normal School. After its reorganization in 1891 the school became the largest telegraph and railway instruction institution in the United States, and was known as "The Dodge Institute of Telegraphy."

The name was changed to Valparaiso Technical Institute in 1944 by J.B. Hershman, who is credited as the institute's first founder and president. Valparaiso Technical Institute specialized in Radio Engineering, television, Broadcasting, Police and Aviation Radio, Ultra High Frequency, and other Electronic training. Following the retirement or leave of all faculty, Valparaiso Technical Institute officially went defunct in April 1991. Nonetheless the city's flag still contains a logo representing the former Valparaiso Technical Institute.

In 1868, George Dodge opened the School of Telegraphy as a department of Valparaiso Male and Female College (VMFC), a Methodist associated institution, with 13 students. At that time, Dodge was employed as telegrapher of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway and saw opportunity in better educating future telegraphers. With the closing of VMFC in 1871, the School of Telegraphy appears to have closed with it. When Henry B. Brown opened the Northern Indiana Normal School (N.I.N.S.) in 1873, George Dodge began negotiations to open a Telegraphy program. In 1874 George A. Dodge opened the School of Telegraphy as a department of N.I.N.S., but run on a percentage basis. Dodge collected tuition and paid all expenses of the school, but provided a fixed percentage to N.I.N.S. to provide for advertising through the Normal Schools connections.

In 1882, Dodge sold his interest to George L. Durand, who became the primary instructor. Within a few years, Durand sold his interest to a Mr. Clarkson the operator at the Grand Trunk Railroad station. The percentage fee system continued through all of these managers. When Mr. Clarkson discontinued the program, Mr. West the operator at the Pennsylvania station took over the school. In 1885, O.T. Nichols is shown as the general manager of the Telegraphic Department of the Normal School. The school was finally discontinued due to poor success in obtaining students.

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