The eagle has landed

PIERRE — School may be out for summer, but for some new inhabitants of Pierre, it’s just beginning.

Class has begun for the first group of Eagle Creek employees. The 11 software consultants in training, ranging in age from mid-20s to mid-40s, have officially begun their jobs after Eagle Creek’s much-publicized Feb. 29, announcement that it would be opening an office in Pierre. The group was first welcomed by recruiters Scott Carbonneau, community development coordinator, and Mary Stadick Smith, communications director for the state Department of Education, who spoke to them about living in Pierre and South Dakota.

One employee has been a lifelong South Dakota resident and another has been a six-year South Dakotan. The rest are from out of the state.

The employees received cards for a free haircut, drinks and food donated by local businesses, and this week they will take a tour of the area.

Among other things, Smith used the opportunity to discuss the state’s laptop initiative.

“When you look at the k-12 system, the whole goal is to prepare students for what is coming next, and, then, they will turn around and be the people in the workforce like the people we were talking to today,” Smith said. “So I think it all ties together and I think we need to make those connections to make sure we’re enhancing education through the state.”

Carbonneau talked about what the area has to offer and encouraged employees to experience activities here.

“It really helps make these people feel welcome in the community and plugged in to the community,” Carbonneau said of the welcoming effort. “We hope they go out and seek these businesses and learn a little bit about our business community as well as the things they are doing here at work. It’s come at a perfect time with the community state day this week, the 125th celebration and Oahe Days next week and it will lead right into the Fourth of July.”