ERDC signs educational agreement with MTU

From left, Dr. Steven Daly, James Wuebben and Susan Koh, CRREL, sign the Michigan Technological University Educational Partnership Agreement.

6 Jan 06 -- HANOVER, N.H. -- The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) is joining forces with a major Midwestern college to further cold regions research and educational opportunities. Michigan Technological University (MTU) and CRREL have entered into an "Educational Partnership Agreement," which has a stated purpose of "encouraging and enhancing study in the engineering program in the areas of water resources and cold regions engineering."

CRREL acting director James Wuebben earned a bachelor's and master's in civil engineering from MTU. "As an alumnus, I'm well acquainted with their longstanding capabilities in cold regions research, and this agreement should benefit both organizations." 

Dr. Steven Daly, a CRREL research hydraulic engineer is a firm believer in this kind of academic ¿ research laboratory partnership. "Michigan Tech has a long history in cold regions research in water resources, along with several other areas, so this is a natural fit," Daly said. 

The partnership could ultimately mean students and faculty from MTU visiting the Hanover laboratory and engaging in cooperative research, internships or employment, while laboratory staff could serve as visiting faculty at the school. 

CRREL is one of seven laboratories that make up the ERDC. The ERDC is the premier research and development facility for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with more than 2,000 employees, $1.2 billion in facilities, and an annual research program approaching $700 million. It conducts research in both military and civil works mission areas for the Department of Defense and the nation. CRREL is the only Department of Defense Laboratory addressing problems and opportunities unique to the world's cold regions. Located in Hanover, N.H., CRREL also has field offices in Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska.