WVNCC EMS Program Director Mike Freeman Honored with Prestigious Jim Horton Award

West Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) proudly announces that Mike Freeman, Director of the College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program, has been awarded the esteemed Jim Horton Award for 2025.

The Jim Horton Award was established in 2019 to honor the legacy of the late Jim Horton, a respected community leader, former mayor of Adena, and longtime EMS professional. The award recognizes an EMT, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic with at least 25 years of service who demonstrates exceptional commitment to both the profession and the community. Freeman was selected for his unmatched dedication to the field of emergency medical services, lifelong contributions to EMS education, and ongoing involvement in public service.

Freeman’s EMS career spans more than 45 years, beginning in upstate New York where he served the City of Rochester as an EMT, Paramedic, and eventually as the Training and Quality Assurance Director. In 1995, he relocated to the Ohio Valley, where he continued his service as a Paramedic and joined Jefferson Community College/Eastern Gateway Community College as an adjunct EMS instructor. He was later named EMS Program Director, a position he held for 29 years until the college’s closure in 2024. In June 2024, Freeman joined West Virginia Northern Community College as the EMS Program Director, bringing his decades of experience and passion for education to a new generation of EMS professionals. He also currently serves as a flight paramedic with Healthnet Aeromedical and as a firefighter/paramedic with the Scio, Ohio Fire Department. Freeman holds an Associate Degree in Fire Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Safety Management.

“Mike Freeman has prepared thousands of students for careers in emergency medicine across New York, Ohio, and West Virginia,” said WVNCC President Dr. Daniel Mosser. “His influence is far-reaching, and he is committed to excellence in education and public service. We are proud of Mike’s award and proud that he is part of the Northern team.”

“I can think of no one more deserving of this honor,” said colleague, Watson Barsch, who nominated Freeman. “Mike is a true master of his craft who consistently goes above and beyond to educate, serve, and lead.”