Photo for the Day

I live in a family of photographers. Angie is well regarded by all and typically takes 20,000 photos per year. Ronnie is the two time defending photo contest winner in his school. He is prepping for the upcoming 3rd annual photo contest and took this shot today.

Graduation

Ah, it is that time of year - the ICC Engineering students graudated tonight. At graduation, engineering student Mike Locke was named ICC Student of the Year. 42 engineers graduated. Following graduation, we held our annual engineering banquet. Three area high school teachers were named to the ICC Engineering High School Teacher Hall of Fame - Amy Hendrickson from ERATS, Dan Bredemus from Grand Rapids, and Mike McNulty from Mesabi East. Most of our grads are headed to UND with a large portion of them going into ME. This class has been especially fun to teach. They are really nice people who are headed for success.

Commissioning

I.... do solemly swear to support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foriegn and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same...

Second Lieutenant Colin Engebretsen, Unites States Air Force, took his oath of office amid his family and ROTC classmates this past weekend. I had the honor of swearing him in.

Colin is a mechanical engineer who will work as a "Developmental Engineer" for the Air Force. We are all proud of him.

Ring Ceremony

This past weekend I went to UND for the annual "ring ceremony". Each year I try to get to the ceremony, if at all possible, to see ICC graduates reach their educational goal. It is a great event in which we get a chance to reflect on the power and responsibility of our profession.

This year 6 ICC grads and Colin, my son-in-law. Earned their rings.

I am an Engineer, in my profession I take deep pride. To it I owe solemn obligations.
Since the Stone Age, human progress has been spurred by the engineering genius. Engineers have made usable Nature’s vast resources of material and energy for Humanity's benefit. Engineers have vitalized and turned to practical use the principles of science and the means of technology. Were it not for this heritage of accumulated experience, my efforts would be feeble.

As an Engineer, I pledge to practice integrity and fair dealing, tolerance and respect, and to uphold devotion to the standards and the dignity of my profession, conscious always that my skill carries with it the obligation to serve humanity by making the best use of Earth’s precious wealth.

As an Engineer I shall participate in none but honest enterprises. When needed, my skill and knowledge shall be given without reservation for the public good. In the performance of duty and in fidelity to my profession, I shall give the utmost.

P^3

P^3 – Pedal, Paddle, and Portage. This past Tuesday, after our students completed their 7 hour comprehensive exam (our own version of the FE exam), we held our second annual P^3 competition. 28 students started out at Bart’s house and pedaled the 6.7 miles to Glen’s house, where, under Gordy’s supervision, they entered the river with canoes. I patrolled the river while students raced downstream to Beer’s landing. The portage from the landing back to Bart’s was 3/8 of a mile. Jon and John won the competition and all teams came in under 2 hours. After the race, we gathered at Bart’s for a cook out, some Bocce, and even some of the ICC-famous “post-ball”. This is a great way to wind down the year.

Bart and the "shotgun" start.

"Wear your life jackets!"

My power boat.

Jon and John in the lead.
Time to portage.

Finish line.
"Can you believe those mean guys took our swings?"

Super Alumni.


Postball

Back in the Cockpit

Angie and I love to kayak. During the summer months we get out at least once a week. This past Saturday we joined our friend Dennis who was visiting from Washington state and a few other members of the Itasca Kayak Club for a couple of hours of fast and high water.

Eagle's Nest

Here is a neat Eagle's nest we saw from the river while kayaking the Mississippi.

Student Photos Part 4

Student Photos Part 3

Student Photos Part 2

Student Photos