The SUNY Cobleskill Student Chapter of Ducks Unlimited hosted their seventh annual Outdoorsmans Night Out on November 20, 2019. The chapter set a new attendance record, with 275 people packed into the Bouck Ballroom on campus. Led by Chairman Aaron France, the committee was focused on hosting their largest event since the chapter formed in 2012. I am humbled to have served with such an amazing group of students who have such a passion for Ducks Unlimited and wetlands conservation, France said. With this being my last event to chair before I graduate next month, it is certainly an emotional time for me. I have had so many good memories here.

With strong leadership and direction from faculty coadvisors Dr. Michael Losito and Eric Struening, this student-led collegiate chapter has continued to improve year to year. Since 2017, Struening has coordinated efforts to ensure that some committee members have been able to make the long trip from Cobleskill, New York, to Memphis, Tennessee, for DUs collegiate leadership summit, Third Term. It is important for us to keep these young men and women engaged year-round, Struening said. We are engaged in the community and also looking for ways to teach our student chapter about conservation education and how to better themselves as leaders.

There were several special guests at the chapters event, including College President Marion Terenzio. Part of the chapters success stems from their ability to engage their community in addition to their faculty members. This chapter is successful partly because of their willingness to give back to their community, fellow students, and faculty here on campus. I could not be more proud of them, Struening said.