Corey Ledbetter, a sophomore paramedic student at Flathead Valley Community College, has always enjoyed helping others and his community but never expected any special recognition.

“I volunteered my time and always have,” he said.

For his leadership and civic spirit, Ledbetter became one of 162 students from 32 states named as 2012 Newman Civic Fellows. College Compact, an association of college and university presidents, annually nominates and selects students for the honor.

Ledbetter said he wasn’t certain what becoming a Newman Civic Fellow meant, but he was happy to add it to his resume.

“I hope to get an intership on ALERT this summer,” he said. “Maybe this will help.”

Ledbetter, 38, grew up in Rhode Island. He came to the Flathead Valley in 1996 to visit a friend and check out the mountains that he always loved.

“When I got here, I only had $80 so I wasn’t going to go anywhere too far,” he recalled. “I loved it so I stayed.”

During the building boom, Ledbetter started a house-painting business called Kaleidoscope Painting, which he still operates. He said business slowed down during the recession but he has kept his employees working for the last five years.

In his spare time he does a lot of skiing and spends time in the backcountry and woods. Ledbetter was drawn to rescue volunteer work from earlier jobs as a lifeguard and camp counselor.

“I kind of did things that required a knowledge of first-aid,” he said. “I joined Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol around 2004 to 2005 and started doing ski patrolling and search and rescue. We practiced a lot of first-aid and rescue skills.”

He also serves on the Flathead Nordic Ski Patrol as an assistant director on the board and as an instructor for outdoor emergency care classes. For the past five years, Ledbetter has aided in backcountry rescues including searching for avalanche victims, looking for missing hikers and finding lost skiers.

He qualified as an Emergency Medical Technician three years ago. Ledbetter used these and firefighting skills as a volunteer for Big Mountain Fire Department and as a reserve with Whitefish Fire Department.

“I don’t get paid per se for the time I’m there, but I get paid if I go on a call,” he said. “For me, it’s an opportunity to get training and just be in the environment and get experience. The money isn’t it. It’s $14 a call. It’s a little thank-you.”

Ledbetter also has worked with Flathead County Search and Rescue to prepare for a passenger train avalanche rescue and has trained with Kalispell’s ALERT air ambulance.

When Ledbetter decided to pursue a paramedic degree, he was grateful to find a good program in his backyard at Flathead Valley Community College. He said he had worked hard to grow a successful business and didn’t want to set it aside to pursue education in another town.

“I’m pretty rooted in the community,” he said.

He and his wife Lori Miller didn’t have to make a major life change. Ledbetter said his employees have learned to work independently, allowing him to take the classes and participate in the hands-on clinical experience required to complete his degree.

“It’s been great,” he said. “I hope by June at the latest I should be a licensed paramedic.”

Described by his instructors as very bright and professionally motivated, Ledbetter recently enrolled for a second 315-hour term as a member of AmeriCorps’ Montana Campus Corps program.

College President Jane Karas said this testifies to his continuing desire to serve.

“A dedicated student both in the classroom and in the field, we are fortunate to have such a devoted student, citizen, and hero in our community,” Karas said.

In the future, he said he might consider going into nursing. He said a dual qualification as a flight nurse and paramedic would make him an ideal candidate to join the ALERT team.

“I love being dropped in the middle of nowhere and going out looking for someone in trouble and figuring out how to get them out and keep them alive and healthy,” he said.

As a Newman Civic Fellow, Ledbetter joins a network of like-minded people sharing ideas to develop even greater capacities to service while setting examples for their classmates and others.

Frank Newman, the founder Campus Compact, was noted for his impact on American education’s role in developing citizens prepared to make a difference. For more information about the organization and the award, visit www.compact.org

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at cchase@dailyinterlake.com.