On May 21, 12 faculty who wanted to learn more about the state embarked on the first-ever CEHD Gopher Road Trip, a four-day bus tour to greater Minnesota. The purpose of the road trip was to:
- Encourage an understanding and an appreciation of greater Minnesota
- Gain an understanding of educational, cultural, social, and economic issues facing the state of Minnesota
- Gain an understanding of teaching, research, and outreach that is done in greater Minnesota in coordinate campuses and other higher education institutions
- Become familiar with colleagues in CEHD regarding the nature of their teaching, research, and outreach and to potentially form new collaborations
- Consider opportunities to conduct engaged research in greater Minnesota
The first leg of the journey was to the University of Minnesota Crookston. The CEHD crew had dinner with Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause and several of her faculty. The next morning, the group met with Extension faculty in Crookston and then went on to Itasca State Park and Bemidji.
Transportation awaits at University Avenue parking ramp. 
First stop at Charlie’s Cafe in Freeport. 
Enjoying breakfast at Charlie’s Cafe. 
Arriving at U of M Crookston. 
Checking in at Heritage Hall at U of M Crookston. 
Getting a tour of the campus. 
Meeting Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause. 
Welcome by Chancellor Mary Holz-Clause. 
Dinner with U of M Crookston leaders and faculty members. 
Exploring ways to work together. 
An after-dinner discussion. 
A successful first night with new colleagues.
On day two, after a few more stops around the Crookston campus, it was time to say goodbye. Next on the itinerary was Itasca State Park and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Then it was on to Bemidji.
Meeting Diversity and Multicultural Programs Director Lorna Hollowell. 
Visiting the wellness center at U of M Crookston. 
At the University Teaching and Outreach Center 
Arriving at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center at Itasca State Park. 
Visiting the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center in Itasca State Park. 
Starting a tour with Lead Interpretive Naturalist Connie Cox. 
Learning about the history of Itasca State Park. 
Getting a feel for the length of the Mississippi River. 
At the Mississippi River headwaters. 
Dinner with Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Director of Education Laurie D. Harper.
Day three of the journey included Bemidji, Leech Lake Tribal College, and the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids.
Visiting Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. 
Arriving at Leech Lake Tribal College. 
Receiving a tour of the tribal college. 
Student Services Dean Michelle Saboo talks about the college. 
Meeting Dean of Academics Vikki Howard. 
A welcome to the North Central Research and Outreach Center. 
Learning about forest breeding and genetics by Professor Andy David. 
Boarding a wagon tour. 
A comfortable ride. 
Learning about wild rice breeding, genetics, and conservation. 
Director of Operations Vince Fritz talks horticulture. 
Dinner with North Central Research and Outreach Center staff.
On the last leg of the journey, the travelers visited the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center and other parts of the University of Minnesota Duluth campus.
Arriving at the Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center. 
Welcome by Director Ryan Hueffmeier. 
Learning about the center. 
Checking a canoe created by center volunteers. 
Walking the grounds of the center. 
Arriving at U of M Duluth. 
Lunch with U of M Duluth leaders and faculty members. 
Learning about colleagues’ research. 
Walking the U of M Duluth campus. 
A successful end to the CEHD Gopher Road Trip.
