SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech’s Student Chapter of Ducks Unlimited was recognized on the national stage in July as a Bronze All-American Collegiate Chapter, one of dozens of chapters honored at Ducks Unlimited’s Third Term Collegiate Leadership Summit in Memphis, Tenn. This year’s Summit was the largest Third Term event in the program’s history, drawing 350 students representing 109 collegiate chapters, including one chapter from Canada.
Chapter members traveled to Memphis from July 16 through 19 to accept the award which recognizes chapters that raised between $25,000 and $49,999.99 in a calendar year. Cobleskill Ag & Tech’s chapter qualified for the honor based on funds raised at its 11th Annual Outdoorsman’s Night Out event in November 2025. That money is pooled with other collegiate fundraising efforts nationwide and put toward wetlands and waterfowl conservation, overseen by the national Ducks Unlimited organization.
The three-day Summit blended professional development with hands-on chapter-building training. Friday’s Welcome Session included a presentation on how Ducks Unlimited uses science and technology to power its conservation work, along with a fireside chat with a former NFL quarterback turned conservation advocate, followed by a tour of Ducks Unlimited’s National Headquarters. On Saturday, students rotated through five breakout sessions covering how to build a chapter business plan, volunteer tools, chapter recruitment strategies and fundamentals of fundraising; all practical skills chapter leaders can bring back to campus. The day closed with a reception, dinner and Awards Banquet.
“Taking students to the Ducks Unlimited Third Term Leadership Summit in Memphis gives them a chance to connect with peers from chapters across the country and bring back new ideas for our own,” said Eric Struening, advisor for the College’s Ducks Unlimited Chapter. “They come away with a real appreciation for conservation and for staying proactive and involved. I’m extremely proud of the work this chapter has done — earning the Bronze All-American Award at this event is a remarkable achievement, and it’s wonderful to see our students recognized for their efforts at SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech.”
“The Ducks Unlimited Third Term Conference was such a fantastic experience. It gave me the chance to network with other collegiate chapters and pick up new ideas for improving not just our chapter, but the organization as a whole,” said Stephanie Bernard (Hamilton, N.Y.), Chapter President and Chair. “DU also opens up so many doors for future careers. I got to talk with current employees about job opportunities and potential collaborations within the organization. Honestly, I think Ducks Unlimited is one of the most influential and impactful organizations out there, for college students and beyond.”
“Flying down to Memphis and meeting so many peers who shared my dedication to conservation, I saw how the work I care about was part of something much larger than myself,” said student David Kogan (Brooklyn, N.Y.). “Attending the Summit helped better equip and inspire me to give back to the community and promote conservation. I am very excited to put new ideas and strategies to use this upcoming semester.”
“It was very inspiring to be around so many like-minded students who share my passion for conservation while on the Ducks Unlimited Third Term Trip. This opportunity brought me so much motivation to continue working in this field,” said Nina Dejnak (Deerfield, Mass.).
SUNY Cobleskill Ag & Tech introduced its Student Chapter of Ducks Unlimited in 2012 as the first Collegiate Ducks Unlimited Chapter in New York State. In 2025, 103 chapters nationwide hosted 207 events and raised $3.67 million for wetlands and waterfowl conservation.
The Chapter’s trip to the Collegiate Leadership Summit was made possible through the College’s Student Government Association and fundraising efforts by Chapter members.
