Elevate: Delmar Hunter

March 29, 2023 00:13:40
Elevate: Delmar Hunter
Elevate
Elevate: Delmar Hunter

Mar 29 2023 | 00:13:40

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Show Notes

Host Timothy Webb sits down with National Park College Marine Repair Tech instructor Delmar Hunter to discuss his journey to becoming a Nighthawk.

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Episode Transcript

Timothy Webb: Thank you all for joining us today here on Elevate, broadcasting from the Razorback Camper Sales studio. This National Park College podcast highlights a different Nighthawk with each episode. We'll talk about their journey, challenges, key moments of success, their moments of elevation, leveling up and overcoming. I'm Timothy Webb, your host, and I'd like to welcome to the program Dino Hunter. Thanks so much for joining me today, Dino. Delmar Hunter: Thank you for having me. Timothy Webb: So Dino, your email says Delmar. Is Dino a nickname? And if so, how did you get that name? Delmar Hunter: My mom was a Dean Martin fan, so yes, it's a nickname. Timothy Webb: Oh, okay. Delmar Hunter: It works out well though. Dino Hunter, dinosaur hunter. Timothy Webb: Right, right. So Dino, tell us a little bit about yourself. Delmar Hunter: Well, I'm pretty straightforward. I've got five kids, six grandkids, was married to a wonderful woman for 31 years and love my job to teach. Timothy Webb: What is it you teach here? I. Delmar Hunter: Teach marine repair technology. Timothy Webb: Oh, that's cool. So, why did you choose marine tech as a field? Delmar Hunter: I was going to Garland County Community College to be an accountant. That's what my parents wanted me to be. And I just couldn't see myself sitting behind a desk and I walked over to Quapaw Technical Institute to see what they had. And saw the marine building and went in and it fit, so I stuck with it. Timothy Webb: So, how long have you been here at NPC? Delmar Hunter: Seven years. Timothy Webb: Oh, wow. You're approaching 10 years pretty quick, do you know? Delmar Hunter: I am, yeah. I've had 10 years because I was here in the nineties when it was National Park Community College. I taught for four years there. Timothy Webb: Oh, okay. So yeah, you're already at 11 and then plus the time you were here as a student. Delmar Hunter: Right. I've been here a while. Timothy Webb: Yeah? So, you're the marine tech instructor. What all does that position entail? Delmar Hunter: It's a lot more than just teaching, it's keeping up relations with industry and the dealer network around here. We have a unique program, so it's really hard to get everybody involved in the program. So, we spend a lot of time networking with other dealers besides just teaching the students what we want them to learn. Timothy Webb: Sounds pretty challenging. Is there any challenges you'd like to tell us about? Delmar Hunter: Facing the industry there's a bunch of challenges. It's hard to get somebody to give you a $30,000 motor. But we get a lot of them. I'm on the phone a lot, networking and promoting our program and trying to paint an image of a good steward for the industry, plus ourselves. Timothy Webb: So Dino, are there any common myths about being a marine tech instructor you'd like to explain to our listeners? Delmar Hunter: I think that it's the same with any instructor, there's the myth that it's easy. It's certainly not easy, and it's certainly not a job that you can categorize as an eight to five job, you're teaching basically year round. If not, you're definitely networking year round or studying. It's not this cushy job. Timothy Webb: Yeah, that's true. It does seem like a lot of the faculty that have been on the show here has said similar things, that it's a year round job, even though you're off in the summer, sometimes off with quotation marks around it. A lot of times that's when you're putting together your new, what's the word I'm looking for? Delmar Hunter: Curriculum. Timothy Webb: Curriculum, yeah. Delmar Hunter: It's funny, I get phone calls as late as 10 o'clock at night from folks out in California with Suzuki or the guys in Georgia from Yamaha. And you take them. When they call, you take them. Timothy Webb: Yeah. Because they got motors. Delmar Hunter: They got motors to give you. Timothy Webb: So, what were some of the biggest obstacles you had to overcome to get to where you are today? Delmar Hunter: I think my bachelor's degree was a early big obstacle. I chose to go to school late in life. I didn't go until in my forties. I had an associate's degree, but I went to get my bachelor's degree to teach middle school math of all things. And I had to work full-time and go to school full-time to do that. So, working 40 hours a week and taking 15 to 17 hours of school was a challenge, but I did it. Timothy Webb: Yeah, you gave up middle school math for marine tech, huh? Delmar Hunter: Yeah, I did, I have middle school math and history. Timothy Webb: So, when you got your bachelor's, can you tell us what it felt like when you finally got over that hump? Delmar Hunter: I was proud. I showed my children who were entering high school at the time that they can do something that's hard. Just because it's hard doesn't mean you have to give up. So, I was really proud of that. My whole family helped me get there, so we just kind of celebrated that together. But yeah, it was a relief, I got to sleep. Timothy Webb: Finally got to sleep. So Dino, what is it about your position that rewards you? Delmar Hunter: I get a kick out of light bulb moment, that's what I call them. It's when you're teaching a student something and it's really a complex subject matter and just struggle to get it. And you can see it in their face when the light bulb comes on, they just get it. That's my favorite part. And I like watching them succeed out of school. We have a lot of students in this area and across the state who've made a career out of marine and they're making really good money doing it, and it's changed their lives. So, I like that. I like that I get to be a small part of that. Timothy Webb: Yeah. Yeah, that's what it's all about really, isn't it? Delmar Hunter: Right. Timothy Webb: Changing lives and benefiting your community and helping the young people find their way, find their path. So, what are some of the lessons that your position has taught you? Delmar Hunter: I think probably the biggest lesson that I've learned from teaching is to take your time when you're discovering people, because you don't always get that person's true self in their first impressions. Have had a lot of students come in, they were real slow to get involved in the program and it took them almost a semester to open up and discover themselves. So, I think being patient is probably one of the things that it taught me to be the most. Timothy Webb: Yeah, that's so true. We're so quick to use that first judgment or that first impression a person gives us. You made a great point. A lot of times that's not the correct version of the person. Delmar Hunter: You never know what somebody's going through. So, just lead with empathy, it works pretty good. Timothy Webb: Yeah, I like that. So, what achievements are you most proud of? Delmar Hunter: Oh, family. 31 years of marriage. My gosh, that's the most impossible to see now. My late wife and I had had a great relationship. We raised five kids that are pretty productive human beings that we're proud of, definitely that. I'm also proud of the program we built here at NPC, the marine program. It's come a long ways in the last seven years. Timothy Webb: So, Dino, where did you grow up and what was it like there? Delmar Hunter: I went to high school in Waterloo, Belgium. I mean, it was a blast. We spent our weekends traveling Europe. I've been to every castle, every little nook and cranny of Europe you can think of, and it was a blast. Just being exposed to that diversity was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Timothy Webb: Wow, I had no idea. So, what's the biggest difference between Belgium or Europe and the United States in terms of cultural differences? Delmar Hunter: I can't speak for Europe. Today, it's been 30 years since I've been there, so I don't know for sure. But I think they slow down and appreciate the moment a little more than we do, which is nice. And there seems to be a little less conflict among people, they just don't gripe as much out in the open. Timothy Webb: So, you've probably seen a lot of interesting architecture too for being out there. Delmar Hunter: Oh, yeah. I didn't appreciate it at 18, but I sure do now. Timothy Webb: Yeah. So, can you tell us about an influential person in your life and how they impacted you? Delmar Hunter: Obviously my parents were pretty influential to me. My stepfather was a great mentor or is a great mentor. My high school physics teacher, I struggled in physics, I was really bad at it. His name was Roger Moran and he taught me that doing things just average wasn't good enough. That's the hardest class I ever worked in. And I earned the C that I got, but he taught me that to be successful you had to work hard. Timothy Webb: Yeah. Well, physics is a hard subject nonetheless. I can't believe you had physics in high school. Delmar Hunter: I had three years of physics. Timothy Webb: Wow. And that was in Belgium high school. Delmar Hunter: In Belgium. Timothy Webb: Wow. Do you know any favorite childhood memories you'd like to share? Delmar Hunter: The one piece of architecture that we talked about that I appreciated then was when we walked into the Notre Dame, it's just all inspiring. And I remember that to this day, just being in awe. That was pretty cool, especially as a kid, I got to appreciate something that is no longer the same. I mean, since the fire, it's different. Timothy Webb: For any of our listeners and for myself, where is that at? Delmar Hunter: France, Paris. Timothy Webb: In Paris? Delmar Hunter: Mm-hmm. Timothy Webb: Oh, okay. What was it that was so awe-inspiring about it? Delmar Hunter: I don't know. To me it was the windows. And also, I like the archway, but the windows were just amazing. I mean, the stained-glass windows, the light shining through, it was just wow. Timothy Webb: So Dino, if you could give your younger self any piece of advice, what would it be? Delmar Hunter: Invest your allowance would be a good one now. No, honestly, I think choose something that makes you happy. Don't go get a job for money. Go get something that makes you happy that you enjoy doing. That's really good sound advice. I was told that and I heeded that advice and it worked. Timothy Webb: So, you're living the dream then. Delmar Hunter: I am. I am. Timothy Webb: It is possible. So, what is it about NPC that brought you here? Delmar Hunter: Well, I was about to start student teaching middle school math, and I got a phone call from somebody that worked here and they asked if I wanted a position and I thought about it with my wife. We knew that the program was struggling and I thought it would be a nice challenge. If it didn't work out, I could go teach math. And I liked a challenge, I like the idea of giving an ultimatum, kind of either fix it or we're going to close it kind of deal. And it was fun. Timothy Webb: I guess you fixed it then. Delmar Hunter: It's not 100% perfect, but we are well on the way. Timothy Webb: Yeah, it's still going, still trucking, and y'all are doing good too. You're probably one of the more healthier programs on campus. Delmar Hunter: We are in great shape. We're usually full. We have tremendous partners that donate a lot of product and a lot of time. We have a great advisory committee. We've got a lot of things going in the right direction. We've expanded to have a high school program now, so it's going the right way. Timothy Webb: Yeah. And not just the engines that you're getting donated, but also you're having some of these corporations bring their teachers, instructors along to get certifications. Delmar Hunter: Right, we have Suzuki comes out annually and teaches a factory training course on our campus. And they bring technicians from all over the nation, and usually two or three of our students that are excelling in class are allowed to participate in that. This year we had two, no, three take the Suzuki certification course and pass. We also do Yamaha factory training here on campus, and we're open to doing more. Timothy Webb: Yeah, and those are big boosts for those particular students that are able to- Delmar Hunter: Oh, it's a tremendous opportunity for them to walk out of a technical school with a certification from a major manufacturer. It's unheard of. Timothy Webb: So, other than NPC and marine tech, what are some of your hobbies? Delmar Hunter: NPC keeps me pretty busy. I like to hunt, and I have grandkids that live next door. I spoil all grandkids, that's my hobby. I give them chocolate and sugar and send them home. Timothy Webb: Sound like every grandparent there, do you know? Delmar Hunter: Yes. It's fun. Timothy Webb: So, what is it about hunting that drew you to it? Delmar Hunter: I don't know. I've just done it. It's kind of been a family thing. We hunted since I was a little kid, and it's just something I've always done. I like getting out on a stand by myself alone with my thoughts. That's probably my favorite thing right now is it's the only time I get to be completely away from technology. So, it's nice. Timothy Webb: Yeah, we need that break sometimes, don't we? Delmar Hunter: Yes, we do. Timothy Webb: So, if you could talk to anyone from the past, present, or even future, who would it be and why? Delmar Hunter: I'd love to say, "I love you," to my wife again. Timothy Webb: Yeah. Enough said on that, huh? Delmar Hunter: Yep. Yep. Don't need to go down that hole, you'll get me all emotional. Timothy Webb: So Dina, what are your future plans? Delmar Hunter: I have a 10-year-old that I'm raising to be a good human being. That's my immediate future. I've got eight more years of that, plus whatever college or anything else they need. You don't stop raising your kids when they turn 18. Other than that, I plan on remodeling my house, and I don't plan on leaving NPC until they kick me out, so I'll be here for a while. Timothy Webb: Right. Yeah, I don't think we're planning on kicking you out, are we? Delmar Hunter: I hope not. Timothy Webb: So, do you have any advice or any mottoes or quotes that you live by that kind of help direct you in your life that you'd like to share with our listeners? Delmar Hunter: I like Thomas Paine's, Lead follow or get out of the way. That's great advice, stand up and lead. If you're not going to lead, follow somebody that's leading. And if you're not going to do anything else, just get out of the way and let somebody else do the work. It's fantastic. Timothy Webb: That's good stuff. Dino Hunter, I want to say thank you so much for joining me today on Elevate. I really appreciate it. Delmar Hunter: I'm glad to be here. Thanks for having me. Timothy Webb: Anytime, sir. Thanks to all of you for listening to Elevate today from the Razorback Camper Sales studio. New episodes are released each Thursday. Special thanks to National Park College and The Sentinel-Record for making this podcast possible. Until next time, this is Timothy Webb reminding you that every day is a chance to elevate.

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