Updated at: 09/10/2009 10:41 PM
By: Renee Passal

First Bachelors of Engineering Degree on Range

A momentous day for higher education on the Iron Range. With some signatures from Mankato State and the Northeast Higher Education District, a Bachelors of Mechanical Engineering degree is now available to students in the area.

"It's a legacy that began with Representative Tom Rukavina," said Dr. Sue Collins, President of the Northeast Higher Education District.

Rukavina said he has been working on this idea for decades, and is pleased it's here in reality. It's being called "Iron Range Engineering."

This first semester, the 14 enrolled students will be helping shape the direction of the program. Then, in January, the actual classes and engineering trips will begin.

Space at the Mesabi Range Virginia campus has been renovated for the program.

"We'll be doing things other engineering students can't. Like go to real places, like the minse, to learn engineering first hand. It's an amazing opportunity," said Christine Nelson.

Indeed the students will get to work on projects at places like Hibbing Taconite, Barr Engineering, and PolyMet.

The degree itself will be coming from Mankato State, which has partnered with the Range colleges for this endeavor.

The goal is to have 25 more students start in the fall.

Also, UMD has partnered with the Northeast Higher Ed District to provide a masters of engineering degree this year.