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Public Safety Board awards Craig Woolery scholarship to Sophia Nolte
Summary
The Cottage Grove Public Safety Board presented the Craig Woolery Scholarship to local student Sophia Nolte, who plans to pursue conservation/DNR work and later attend UMD; donors include Councilmember Olson and the Cottage Grove Lions Club.
During the June 4, 2025 Cottage Grove City Council meeting the Public Safety Board presented the Craig Woolery Scholarship to recipient Sophia Nolte in a brief ceremony.
Brad Peterson, Deputy Director of Public Safety, introduced retired Public Safety Director Craig Woolery and explained the scholarship's purpose: to support local young people pursuing careers in law enforcement, EMS or fire safety. Peterson said the scholarship was established following Woolery's retirement with seed donations from Councilmember Olson and his wife and additional local contributions. "We're very proud of the fact that very many of our public safety members are homegrown," Peterson said, noting the scholarship helps sustain that pipeline.
Craig Woolery spoke about his 34 years of service and his pride in the community, and the board thanked local contributors including the Cottage Grove Lions Club. Councilmember Olson noted several community donors and the Lions Club's $2,000 contribution in recent years. The student recipient, Sophia Nolte, was described as already taking classes at Century College and planning to continue at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD), with an interest in conservation and natural-resources work.
The ceremony concluded with council members greeting the recipient and offering congratulations. The award was presented as a recognition item on the council agenda; no formal council action was required.
