PowerSports Technology students on the Detroit Lakes campus of Minnesota State Community and Technical College are getting hands-on experience with the latest in motorcycle models, thanks to the donation of two Indian motorcycles by Polaris.
PowerSports instructor Kent Reisenauer said the company has donated two top-of-the-line Chieftain model motorcycles for students in the program’s motorcycle courses.
He estimated the value of the machines at approximately $40,000.
“It’s an awesome donation,” Reisenauer said.
“Industry partners are an integral part of the PowerSports program, because no program can afford to keep up with technology without the help of partners like Indian.”
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Indian is a subsidiary of Polaris, which is based in Plymouth, and the motorcycles are manufactured in Wisconsin and Iowa.
The PowerSports program – which trains technicians in the maintenance of motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs and other small engines – has additional partnerships with companies including Arctic Cat, Stihl, Honda and Yamaha.
The training equipment provided by partners demonstrates the importance of technical education to the companies, Reisenauer said.
“When a student becomes familiar with a manufacturer’s product, they’ll be able to quickly and efficiently repair the machine,” he said.
“A working machine makes for a happy customer, and a happy customer continues using that manufacturer’s product.”
As a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, M State serves more than 9,000 students in credit courses each year in more than 70 career and liberal arts programs at its four campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead and Wadena, and through its eCampus.
By partnering with communities, the college also provides custom training services and other responsive training programs.
