Scholarship fund established in name of late firefighter and husband of Marion Technical College’s associate dean of health programs

Marion Technical College's associate dean of health programs, Debra Myers, has helped the Marion Technical College Foundation establish a scholarship in her late husband’s memory. Randy Myers passed away in January after a battle with cancer. He was a retired firefighter and paramedic. Myers’ wife and family set up the Randy Myers Scholarship Fund at Marion Technical College to honor his memory and to help other paramedics who would like to enter into the field of nursing.

According to an article on Marion Technical College's website, Deb Myers explained why she wanted to create this scholarship in Randy’s honor, and how she chose for the scholarship to go to paramedics transitioning to nursing. She was quoted as saying, “I wanted to apply it to a program that was relevant to Randy’s career. I knew the nursing program has an accelerated program for paramedics who want to transition into nursing so I thought that would be a good fit.”

Marion Technical College’s Advanced Standing programs are for LPNs, military medics, and paramedics to take a faster route to becoming a registered nurse by allowing for their experience in the field and a test to take the place of certain nursing courses. Those who take part in these programs will graduate with two associate degrees, and then will be able to transition into Marion’s bachelor of science in nursing program.

Speaking of the newly established memorial scholarship, which is the 46th endowed scholarship in Marion Technical College’s history, Mike Stuckey, who serves as the director of the Marion Technical College Foundation, said, “This is such a meaningful and special tribute. We’ve never seen such an outpouring of support.” He went on to comment about how useful the scholarship will be to students, saying, “This is a fast-growing field that will benefit all of us. We count on nurses. This new scholarship fund benefits students looking to advance their skills and career options and the community.”

Randy began his career as a journeyman electrician for his father’s company. In addition, he was a volunteer firefighter and an ambulance driver. Eventually, he became a full-time firefighter with Marion Township Fire. His skills often translated into ones he could share off the job and use to help out family, friends, and neighbors. 

His stepson, Aaron Neiderkohr, shared Randy’s last words and how they served as a testament to the kind of life Randy lived. Neiderkohr said, “Randy’s last words were, ‘Whatever it takes.’ I cannot think of three words better fitting to describe him and describe what he taught. He did ‘whatever it takes’ countless times in his life for all of us. I challenge all of you to keep that spirit going. Dig deeper on the hard days. Do whatever it takes to finish the job, to be a better person, to find God, to fix relationships, to take vacations, and so on. Please let Randy live on through all of us and do ‘whatever it takes.’”

Deb shared her happiness that others are donating to the scholarship fund to help honor her husband’s memory. She said, “I’ve just been very honored that all of the donations that have come were -$9,600 and more donations are coming. He would be so honored that so many people wanted to donate in his memory.”

Jean Obenour, who serves as the treasurer of the board for the Marion Technical College Foundation, said of Deb and Randy, “It’s been a joy to watch Deb and the wonderful life she had with Randy and the love they shared. This is another way for it to continue and grow.”

The Randy Myers Memorial Scholarship will be awarded for the first time in the fall semester of 2025. Anyone who wishes to contribute to the scholarship fund may do so on the Foundation’s web page.

For more information about Marion Technical College, visit the school’s website.