I went to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) for ME (they have an aerospace option, which I didn't take). What was great about their program is that you have to do mandatory co-ops. You go to school for 5 years instead of the normal 4, but over a year of that time is spent working for other companies. And you have to hunt for the jobs and apply for them just as you would for any normal job after graduation. Even though it is tough sometimes to find a place to co-op that you want and who wants you in the end it is worth it for the experience of the job hunt and quite frankly it pays much better than most summer jobs you'd find (unpaid internships aren't allowed). And since classes are designed so you don't just co-op during the summer you may have a better chance at getting an internship in the Fall, Winter or Spring at a desired company since you won't be competing with so many other applicants during the Summer. While I did find a co-op at an Aerospace company and I was excited to get it, please remember that you may not enjoy all of the types of jobs that those companies offer. The co-op I did there was more related to Manufacturing engineering, so quality control and processes and lots of tedium. No better way to find out what areas of your field you DON'T want to do than to spend a few months actually doing it. Experience is key to finding out what you really like to do but it doesn't have to be all on-the-job training. Be sure to look for hands-on extra-curriculars that a school offers, not just courses you may think will interest you. Again, I know I'm pimping RIT, but they have an Aero Club that does more than just make simple RC model airplanes (they've sent stuff to space!), but also have clubs for other Mechanical enthusiasts like Formula-1 and FIRST Robotics that often can consume large portions (sometimes too much) of your free time. And remember, if you aren't happy at one school there is no shame in transferring. Don't force yourself to stay at a school you hate just because you feel like you have to finish what you started.

The 'Colbert Nation' is a bit bigger than the 'Perens Nation' so I think that you are going to be rather unsuccessful in your venture.

I'm pretty sure this is an old idea. I believe they even had this type of station shown in that great show 'Beyond 2000'. But they did clarify 'FIRST OF ITS KIND', so of course its the first of its kind based on all the criteria which only fit this particular deployment.