The BOSS (Bikers of Student Success) Ride will rumble into Austin Saturday morning to raise money for Riverland Community College scholarships.

Bikers Al Bush, retired emeritus faculty member, and Ron Wangen, a current staff member, first organized the event, which now supports an endowed scholarship. Riverland students benefit from the scholarships, which help with tuition and other college-related expenses.

Riverland president Terry Leas said the ride was originally organized to provide an endowed scholarship, which would require a minimum of $10,000. That goal was reached, and the event is attempting to establish a second $10,000 endowed scholarship.

“Generally, a BOSS Ride will generate between $3,000 and $4,000,” Leas said. “This year, there’s been a lot of interest, so whether that will translate into people showing up to ride, I’d imagine that would depend on the weather.”

About 50-60 bikers typically participate in the BOSS Ride. The ninth-annual event will begin with registration at 9 a.m. and at 9:30 a.m., the group will travel on a scenic mystery trip before concluding around 3:30 p.m. at Torge’s Live in Austin. The trip’s route is not disclosed beforehand.

“They always keep it a secret; it goes through southern Minnesota,” Leas said. “Everyone is welcome. It’s a great event.”

The cost is $25 per person. Money is also raised through a raffle and souvenir clothing sales.

Students interested in applying for the $500 BOSS Ride Scholarship must complete a Riverland Community College Foundation Scholarship Application form, available at the Riverland Foundation Office (Austin east campus); at student services offices on all three Riverland campuses (Albert Lea, Austin and Owatonna); and on the Riverland Community College Web site at www.riverland.edu/scholarships/scholarships.cfm.

For more information about the BOSS Ride, contact Cindy Enfield at 433-0630.