Retiree Recognition For: Marvin Helmker
Title / Dept:
Emergency Medical Services Program Director / HHS
How did you get your start at LCC? What do you remember most from your first day/week/month?
I began my LCC student journey in the fall of 1977. Back then, cars had not yet been invented so I had to walk to class five miles, uphill both ways, with snow up to my waist in the winter months of September-May. You get the picture!
Among my early memories are attending classes in Old Central and the lower level of the Gannon Building. There have been some great new additions of buildings and upgrades over the years, including new campuses.
Have you held different positions at LCC? How would you describe your career path and the role that LCC played in it?
I began my LCC employee journey an an adjunct faculty member in the fall of 1989. I had taken an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) instructor course that summer which then allowed me to become licensed by the State of MI as an EMS educator and begin teaching. In 2012-13 I taught full-time in our EMS Program, then accepted my current position of EMS Program Director in 2016.
LCC has played a tremendous role in my career path. Many of the courses I took at LCC and the two degree earned here were the foundation for the various positions I have held both at LCC and elsewhere throughout my career.
What's your favorite memory from your time at LCC? Who are the people who made working here great?
That's easy: the people! I work with a great team of faculty within our EMS program, each of whom is committed and dedicated to educating our students. I am also blessed to have a great group of administrators and support staff in our HHS Division office who I have relied on so many times over the years for their help and answers to my questions.
What were your greatest accomplishments or successes while working at LCC?
Having a part in teaching the next generation of EMS providers who serve in our communities. On the chance that I need emergency medical care at some point, one of those responding to my call for help will likely be someone that I and my peers have taught. I can only hope that we educated that person well!
I am also honored to now work with several of our faculty who I have had as students in the past. It is great to have seen these individuals excel in their careers, then return to LCC to teach and share their experiences with others.
What are you looking forward to in your retirement? What plans are you most excited for?
Not having the alarm go off at 5:45 a.m. five days a week! Spending additional time with five grandkids and one on the way, as well as our four adult daughters and their husbands. Taking some trips with my wife to places we have not been. Continuing to learn new stuff. Going camping in September when everyone else is either working or back in school. Training our chocolate lab, Myrtle, to be a therapy dog. Contributing to society in some meaningful ways instead of just sitting around at home watching TV; that would be yucky!
Is there any additional information that you would like to share related to your time at LCC?
...do justice, love kindness, walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8) is a Bible verse I attempt to live by. On a totally separate note, for those of you who I have pranked during my years at LCC, my goal is to get out of here without any of you paying me back!
