WDT partners with Sturgis Buffalo Chip and leading businesses to help drive an industry perfect for SD

Today, the Sturgis Buffalo Chip kicked off the 3^rd annual Buffalo Chip Challenge, a motorcycle build project designed to encourage Western Dakota Tech’s Welding Manufacturing and Collision Repair students to get more involved with the motorcycle industry. The Sturgis Buffalo Chip, along with leading industry businesses, including Black Hills Harley-Davidson, Terry Components and Hot Leathers want to give these students real-world experience while promoting economic development in the state of South Dakota.

The program is designed to challenge students to develop skills and knowledge they can use to enhance their employability upon graduation. Students will learn the techniques used to fabricate, customize and finish a stock Road King graciously donated by Black Hills Harley-Davidson. Also, world-class parts will be donated for the build by Corbin Seats, Dakota Digital, Inc., Dakota V-Twin, Dimension Custom Paint & Body, Hawg Halters, Inc., K & G Cycles, LLC, Klock Werks Kustom Cycles, Legend Air Suspension, RC Components, Inc. and Sinister Industries. 

“The Sturgis Buffalo Chip is proud to champion programs that provide students with expanded opportunities in the motorcycle industry.  Our goal is to provide these students with the skills they need to become great technicians in the South Dakota workforce,” said Rod Woodruff, president of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip.

WDT Students participating in the Buffalo Chip Challenge will not only have the advantage of state-of-the-art facilities, a new motorcycle and world-class parts for the build, they will have the dedicated support and experience of a motorcycle industry veteran, Keith Terry of Terry Components.  Terry has run a successful motorcycle aftermarket business for more than three decades and is part of a growing number of business owners who have moved their operations to western South Dakota. 

“This dynamic partnership between business and technical education has been a huge success due to the collective efforts of the Sturgis Buffalo Chip and leading motorcycle industry businesses. We know our students are up for the challenge of building another world-class custom bike alongside Keith Terry. We look forward to the debut of the finished bike at our graduation ceremony in early May,” said Dr. Craig Bailey, WDT president.

The finished Buffalo Chip Challenge motorcycle will be auctioned to help sponsor the Sturgis Buffalo Chip’s annual Legends Ride, which has given more than $200,000 to local Black Hills charities in just four years. 

The public is invited to follow the build online at http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=303207163056096, where pictures and video content of the Buffalo Chip Challenge will be published.     

WDT is the only technical institute that serves the western South Dakota region. WDT offers more than 20 programs in a variety of fields, including Business and Computers, Construction Trades, Health Services, Legal and Public Services, Manufacturing and Mechanical Trades, and Science and Technology. More than 94 percent of WDT’s most recent graduates are either working or continuing their education, and more than 82 percent of those placed in careers are working in South Dakota. 

WDT faculty, staff, and administration focus their efforts on helping students gain the skills and experiences they need to succeed. Through hands-on learning, internships, and industry partnerships, WDT students graduate ready to make a real and immediate contribution to their employers and to their communities.

Bike building begins again at WDT! Reported by Black Hills Fox/KEVN.
http://www.blackhillsfox.com/2012/01/10/Bike-building-to-begin-at-WDT