History

Bemidji State University began work several years ago as part of the Knowledge Cluster Project, which was part of the state's Regional Economic Development effort. That work resulted in over 18 site visits to industry partners to interview employees, hold focus groups, and meet with management about the skills needed to be successful in today's and tomorrow's workplace.

In the fall of 2005, Bemidji State University was selected to be one of four state universities in Minnesota to become a Center of Excellence. BSU will be a Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence.

Bemidji State University will be working with seven (7) excellent community and technical schools across northern Minnesota as partners in the Center of Excellence, including:

Central Lakes College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College
Northland Community and Technical College
Northwest Technical College - Bemidji
Pine Technical College
St. Cloud Technical College
Saint Paul College

Through this Center, "programs of distinction" will be identified and developed that provide exciting new routes for students to pursue while bringing industry and education together to work on joint projects and new initiatives that keep us competitive on a global scale. Bemidji State University's Program of Distinction is the 3D Holographic Projection technology located within the Center for Advanced and Emerging Technologies in Bridgeman Hall.

Bemidji State University and the Center of Excellence is a principal partner of the Ingenuity Frontier www.ingenuityfrontier.com. Ingenuity Frontier is a collaborative and active economic development effort to educate, train, and retain the best and brightest applied engineering talent for Northwest Minnesota.

The Center of Excellence is now named 360º Manufacturing and Applied Engineering Center of Excellence.

Minnesota faces serious shortages of highly skilled manufacturing workers. By developing strong ties with K-12 education, 360º will help students develop strong math and science skills and engage their creativity in manufacturing through "hands-on" learning activities.