Marr joins a distinguished list of retired employees who have been recognized for years of outstanding service to NIC and the wider community.
“Andrew is driven by his love of teaching and his genuine interest and care in helping his students achieve their goals,” said Laurie Tulloch, chair of NIC’s Emeritus committee. “His contributions to electronic, automation and trades training at NIC continue to this day. We’re so fortunate that he remains a part of our post-secondary community and it was our honour to name him for this year’s Emeritus selection.”
Marr started at NIC in 1995 with NIC’s Industrial Mobile Training Unit, travelling to industrial facilities across BC and providing on-site training in human-machine interfaces, electrical interfaces and controls and other skills.
He later relocated to NIC’s Campbell River campus to develop and teach the Core Electronics program. His dedication to the success of that program would see him consult with colleagues from other post-secondary institutions to ensure NIC’s program graduates would qualify for transfer to specialty programs at other colleges, as well as to NIC’s own Industrial Automation program.
As an instructor, Marr led his top students to compete in Skills BC competitions across the province. More often than not, the NIC delegation would return with at least one medal from placing in the top three. Marr would lead students Dez Hart and Paul Stone to the national stage at Skills Canada competition, where they won gold.
Marr retired in 2012, but has remained a vital part of NIC’s community and continues to teach in all four years of the Electrical Apprenticeship and Electrical Foundation programs. Marr also teaches in the Core Electronics and Industrial Automation programs when needed.
Despite his ‘retirement,’ he has taken on an additional task — helping the College develop curriculum for future harmonized Electrical Apprenticeship training.
Marr’s designation as the College’s newest Emeritus was the result of a unanimous recommendation from NIC’s Emeritus Selection committee.
Marr said he “never aspired” to receive Emeritus status and was humbled by the honour.
“I have always aimed only to serve my students and help them achieve their success,” he said. “If I heard from one of them in a letter of thanks, that would be more than enough for me.
“It has been a privilege and an honour to work with so many great people, from leadership to support staff, who helped to deliver the electronic technology and apprenticeship programs,” he added. “It was always my intention to help students prepare for their future careers, so they can contribute to society and lead rewarding, satisfying lives.”
To learn more about NIC Emeritus, visit www.nic.bc.ca/life-at-nic/awards-and-recognition/emeritus.
