District Governor 5SW Kenneth K. Gifford

Ken was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota where he graduated from high school in 1955. He attended South Dakota State College and received his BS degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1959. He taught junior high school Industrial Arts in the Sioux Falls Public Schools during which time he completed his MS degree from Colorado State College in 1964. In 1969 he took sabbatical leave from his teaching assignments and in 1970 received his PhD from the University of Northern Colorado majoring in Higher Education and Vocational Administration. He returned to Sioux Falls as the Director of Vocational Education. For 5 years he served as the Executive Director of the State Advisory Council on Vocational Education. From 1982-2000 he was the President of Western Dakota Technical Institute in Rapid City, SD. For the past 8 years and currently is serving as the Education Director for the Building Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of SD. Dr. Gifford and his wife Bea will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 2, 2008. They have two children, Michael a disaster recovery computer specialist living in San Antonio, TX and Chelaine, who lives in Rapid City is an RN specializing in intensive care nursery. Ken and Bea have 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He enjoys golf, fishing, travel, spending time with his family, and good food and drink. Ken is active in several community organizations including the United Way of the Black Hills, Humane Society of the Black Hills, German Sister City Partnership, Elks Lodge 1187, and Canyon Lake United Methodist Church. He has been the recipient of several awards and honors throughout his professional career. Ken became a Lion in 2000 when he joined the Rushmore Lions Club and has served in all leadership positions within his club. He has served as a Region Chair and the International Understanding Committee Chair for District 5SW. He is on the Board of Directors for the SD Lions Eye Bank and the Board of Directors of the SD Lions Foundation. He is a Melvin Jones Fellow through his participation of Campaign Sight First II. Serving as VDG this past year he has worked closely with his DG Joe Harris and the district MERL team to establish new clubs within 5SW, indoctrinate new members, and most importantly meet and make friends with many new Lions.