WATERTOWN, S.D. (AP) - Lake Area Technical Institute has received a trophy and a $100,000 prize after being named one of the top four, two-year colleges in the nation.
The Aspen Institute named the school one of two "finalists with distinction" on Tuesday.
Selection committee co-chair John Engler says one of LATI's achievements is a graduation rate of 76 percent, which is more than triple the national average. The school also graduates students who are paid 40 percent more than others in their first year of employment.
Lake Area Tech President Deb Shephard says the school's success comes from the school board, students, faculty, staff and business partners.
Shephard says LATI made Aspen's Top 10 list last September and has been waiting for Tuesday's announcement.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
