Contact: Katryn Conlin, Communications Director
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MSC Southeast will celebrate Bicycle Design & Fabrication Grand Opening April 8 in Red Wing
Opportunity to meet with new instructor Chase Spaulding, members of program Advisory Board
Bicycle Design & Fabrication Grand Opening
Monday, April 8, 2019, 5:30 -- 7:00 pm
Minnesota State College Southeast
308 Pioneer Road, Red Wing, MN
Free and open to the public -- everyone is welcome!
Red Wing, MN (March 29, 2019) -- Excitement has been building throughout the year for the opening of the new Bicycle Design and Fabrication program at MSC Southeast in Red Wing. The college will celebrate the program's launch on Monday, April 8 with a special event starting at 5:30 pm in the bicycle program labs on the Red Wing campus.
• 5:30 pm: Public Reception and Refreshments
• 6:00 pm: Ribbon Cutting, then Presentation on Program with Q & A
• 6:30 pm: Facilities Tours
The Grand Opening will be the first opportunity for the public to meet Chase Spaulding (pictured), who recently moved to Red Wing from Raleigh, NC to lead instruction in the Bicycle Repair and Fabrication program. Chase has bachelor's and master's degrees from North Carolina State University in Industrial Design. His background ranges from fabricating architectural metalwork to building custom motorcycles, putting academic theory into practical experiences and real world creations.
"Chase has assembled a broad range of competencies from which he can educate and inspire. He has strong capabilities in design, fabrication, and college-level instruction," said Dean of Trade and Technology Travis Thul. "He is the perfect individual to help us build this innovative new program."
Mike Ford will also be teaching in the bicycle program. A long-time Red Wing area resident, Mike has been an instructor in welding at the college since 2016. He is a retired iron worker with experience in construction welding with organizations like the Army Corps of Engineers, Rosemount Pine Bend Refinery, and 3M.
"We couldn't have designed this program without the help of our Advisory Board team members from top companies including QBP, HED, Eric's Bike Shop, Trek, Hawk Racing, Kirk Pacenti, and Wolf Tooth," said Travis Thul. "The board will be meeting on campus on April 8, and we'll celebrate their contributions at the Grand Opening."
Students in the program will explore a mechanical engineering technology and design curriculum in the nation's only two-year degree focused on the fabrication of bicycles and associated components. Interest has been very strong, with applicants from around the globe.
"Anyone who is curious about Bicycle Design and Fabrication is invited to join us for the Grand Opening, including bike enthusiasts, prospective students, and college and community supporters," said Travis Thul. "Everyone is welcome!"
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About Minnesota State College Southeast
Minnesota State College Southeast is a two-year technical and community college that prepares students for a lifetime of learning by providing education for employment, skill enhancement, retraining, and transfer, to meet the needs of students and the community. The Winona campus opened in 1949, merging with the Red Wing campus in 1992 and updating its name to Minnesota State College Southeast in 2016 with the change of mission to offer both technical training and the associate of arts degree. Minnesota State College Southeast is a member of Minnesota State. For more information, visit www.southeastmn.one.