Scholarships for veterans to be the highlight of the BHSU Jacket Ride during Rally Week

A patriotic motorcycle ride with a purpose. Black Hills State University will host the Dennis Kirk Jacket Ride for veteran scholarships Tuesday, Aug. 7 during the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

The Jacket Ride is an American Legion-escorted motorcycle ride through two premier canyons in the Northern Black Hills: Vanocker Canyon and Spearfish Canyon.

“This is a patriotic ride through the beautiful Black Hills hosted by locals and to benefit veterans pursuing their degree,” said Kanda Guthmiller, scholarship coordinator at BHSU. “Onlookers often salute the American Legion members who lead the ride.”

The Ride begins at the Joy Center (1351 St Joe Street) on the BHSU Campus in Spearfish with kickstands up at 10 a.m. and ends with lunch by Old West Dutch Oven Catering at Scott Peterson Motors in Sturgis.

Registration is $50 for a single rider and $75 for rider and passenger. Pre-registration is appreciated at www.BHSU.edu/JacketRide and is also accepted beginning at 8:30 a.m. the day of the Ride.

All proceeds benefit scholarships for student veterans at BHSU. This year’s Jacket Ride Scholarship will be awarded to Sterling Holmes, elementary education major from Box Elder, who will accept his scholarship check at the end of the ride.

“We hope locals and visitors alike will join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our student veterans and support them as they achieve their goals,” said Guthmiller.

Veterans Affairs at BHSU
BHSU has repeatedly been recognized nationally for service to military students. The University was named a Military Friendly School for 7 years straight, Best for Vets: Business Schools, and Military Times Best for Vets: Colleges. BHSU is a leader in piloting reduced tuition rates for military members for distance courses and for courses at BHSU-Rapid City. The success of both those pilot programs have since been extended across the state to other S.D. Board of Regents schools. Both the BHSU and BHSU-Rapid City locations have a Veterans Center space for independent study and to provide a welcoming atmosphere where veterans can feel free to share military experiences. Fall classes begin Aug. 20 and there is still time register. Visit www.BHSU.edu for more information.