News Feature                                                            9/25/2008

Center of Excellence 10-Year Anniversary Celebration

On September 25, 2008 a 10-Year Anniversary celebration of the Center of Excellence (COE) took place at the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) in Cloquet, Minnesota. Dave Wise, NRCS Tribal Liaison, served as the moderator for the event.  Wise noted that the COE was the first of its kind at a Tribal Land Grant Institution.  The creation of the COE expanded the capacity of the Land Grant College at FDLTCC and provided an outreach opportunity for MN NRCS through the national soil survey digitizing initiative. 

William Hunt, State Conservationist, MN NRCS, and the late Lester Jack Briggs, President, FDLTCC, had a vision of cooperation between NRCS and FDLTCC. Joe McCloskey, State Soil Scientist for MN NRCS, made that vision become reality with the establishment of the Center. As a result, the COE has provided hands on training for numerous FDLTCC students, career discussions, as well as the opportunity for NRCS to network with tribes. 

During the COE 10-Year celebration Hunt said he appreciated the partnership with FDLTCC.  The State Conservationist also said he is pleased with the benefits gained through the investment in the Center.  Hunt acknowledged the role that three former NRCS retirees played in supporting the development of the COE, namely, Carol Jett, Charles Whitmore and Horace Smith. 

Larry Anderson, FDLTCC President said that the COE has been one of the best kept secrets at the tribal college.  The FDLTCC faculty and staff has appreciated the partnership of the COE and MN NRCS and looks forward to continuing this important relationship in the future.

Tom Neuenfeldt, Soil Specialist, was the first Director of the COE and was responsible for laying the groundwork for the COE operation.  Neuenfelt said he remembered the people the most at the COE and at FDLTCC and enjoyed the experience and opportunity to work at the COE.

Julie Lindner, current Director of the COE, highlighted projects the FDLTCC students are now engaged in at the COE.  These projects include Rapid Watershed Assessment, scanning, naming and orientation of FSA slides and georeferencing of USDA maps.  For additional information regarding the COE in Cloquet, Minnesota, please contact Julie Lindner at (218)-879-0862 or via e-mail at:  julie.lindner@mn.usda.gov

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