President Jay Helman Continues Momentum at WSC After a Challenging Road to Recovery

As the first classes of the spring semester got underway, Helman was receiving care in the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City. What followed in the aftermath was an outpouring of support from the Gunnison Valley community and a heroic recovery by the former basketball coach turned chief academic and administrative official. 

Helman returned to his presidency in April on a part-time basis, gradually moving back to full-time. As this year’s fall semester got underway, he spent some time reflecting on the major life-changing event and his continued role at WSC, a place that he says, “runs deep through my veins.”

The road to recovery 

During his sleep on the night of Jan. 12, Helman suffered a stroke and was immediately rushed to the Gunnison Valley Hospital. Weather conditions prevented his safe transport to Denver, so he instead was flown to University Hospital in Salt Lake City. 

For the Helmans, this turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The stroke treatment at University Hospital is extremely aggressive, which is a factor that may have contributed to Helman’s faster-than-expected recovery.

Upon arrival there, surgeons successfully removed a blood clot in Helman’s brain. This was followed by the removal of half of his skull to alleviate swelling. The portion of his skull was kept in a freezer until it was reattached five weeks later. 

Recovery began with Helman relearning the most basic of skills, from swallowing to walking. Initially, he was paralyzed on the left side of his body and confined to a wheelchair. Helman’s wife, Dawn, who is the school nurse for the Gunnison Watershed District, stated that while the process was traumatic and difficult, she felt an overwhelming amount of support from the staff at the hospital and the Gunnison Valley community. 

“The surgeons and doctors were confident in telling us that Jay was going to make a full recovery,” she recalled. “And the whole time we felt so uplifted by our friends, colleagues, family members and our church. The recovery was so much bigger than all of us. It was the result of prayers, thoughts and good wishes.” 

Helman added that once he accepted the enormity of the task of recovery, the process became bearable. 

“Making the shift from wishing it was over to accepting that I had to give in to the process ... that changed my whole approach,” he remarked.

Helman also called his wife’s support essential to his recovery. Dawn spent the entire two-and-a-half months in Salt Lake City, while he was in the hospital and later in out-patient rehab.

“She was like a rock,” he said. 

The Helmans’ daughter Devanie also made frequent visits during their stay in Utah.

The speed of Helman’s recovery amazed the hospital staff.

“Never in their days had the neurosurgeons seen an ascent and recovery that was so dramatic,” Dawn said. “I think it was a belief that manifested into a reality, the result of everyone believing in the recovery, and a lot of prayer and positive thinking.”  

Dr. Steven Edgley, the director of stroke rehabilitation at University Hospital, was one those from the staff who was impressed with Helman’s recovery. 

“It was remarkable,” he said. “His stroke was so severe that he went from rock bottom to where he is now in a very short period of time.” 

Edgley also noted that another critical role in the recovery process was Helman’s desire and ability to work hard at rehabilitation.

Helman’s recovery was also likely aided by his ongoing thirst for knowledge. Always an avid reader, Helman has now found himself immersed in books that explore the brain and how it functions, as well as literature on stroke recovery. 

Helman’s intellectual capacity also provided some material for much-needed humor. At one point in his treatment, he surprised one of the doctors, who happened to be from France, by conversing with him in French. 

Continuing momentum 

For Helman, there was never any doubt of what the goal was with his rehabilitation; he wanted to return to his position as president of WSC.   

“During the entire process of the stroke and the recovery, I just worked so hard because I wanted my life back,” he said. “This is not just about a job. It’s a deeply seeded part of my life and my family’s life.” 

John Sowell, the vice president of academic affairs, sees that devotion first-hand. 

“Jay’s recovery and resumption of duties here at the college are nothing short of a miracle,” Sowell said. “He has been determined to overcome this setback, and his commitment to regaining what was lost made all the difference.” 

Helman’s career at WSC began in 1989 when he accepted a position as a kinesiology professor and the head coach of the men’s basketball team. He eventually led the basketball squad to the only Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship in 1992-93, breaking school records with an 18-game winning streak and 25 total wins total. 

His own basketball career is noteworthy as well. Helman played briefly under legendary coach John Wooden at UCLA, and later played professionally in Europe for several years. 

Later, Helman became chair of Western’s kinesiology and recreation department. During that era, he aided in creating a wellness center — which is now the Escalante Fitness Center. 

In 1996 he was named the vice president for academic affairs, a shift he called “the biggest jump” in his career at Western. “There was a tremendous learning curve. It was also a remarkable opportunity for growth, personally and professionally,” he explained.  

In 2002 Helman became the 13th president of WSC.

Helman believes that significant strides have been made in the last seven-plus years at WSC and is proud of the accomplishments. He cited the construction of the Borick Business Building, the renovation of Kelley Hall and the new College Center, which is slated to be finished in late November. 

Helman also noted that he is proud of the environmentally friendly features of these projects and the other related initiatives — such as the President’s Climate Commitment, which outlines a target for WSC to reduce its carbon emissions by 80 percent by the year 2050. 

Two other significant milestones he noted were substantial increases in faculty salaries and the transition from a governing board that represented several Colorado colleges to the current board that solely focuses on WSC. 

Helman also believes WSC has made great improvements in fiscal stability in recent years, despite meager state appropriations and a difficult economic climate. 

Tom Burggraf, the executive director of the WSC Foundation, has high praise for Helman and his time as president. 

“There is no doubt that he is a higher education visionary who keenly understands the distinctiveness of the college,” he said.

Burggraf added that it is Helman’s inter-personal skills that have allowed him to accomplish so much. 

“He deeply cares about people,” Burggraf said. “This, matched with his other qualities, blends into a powerful, insightful and compassionate leadership.” 

Helman compares his return to WSC to an injured basketball player returning to the court. He also felt what he described as a “heart connection.” 

“The breadth of support from my colleagues was incredible,” he said. “They gave me a sense of confidence while I regained my mental and physical stamina.” 

Celeste Helminski, the executive assistant to the president, is pleased to have him back on campus, “Jay is someone I respect very much and I’ve always appreciated the care he shows for all aspects of the WSC and Gunnison Valley community.”

Helman admitted that he made it through some of the darkest hours of his life during the recovery from his stroke. He fills with emotion recalling the countless hours simply regaining basic skills required for daily living. 

Now, seven months after the stroke, he remains confident that the college can continue its positive momentum, and credits the senior administrative team at WSC and the board of trustees for allowing him to smoothly re-enter his role as president. 

His biggest insights from these experiences? 

“I’ve gained a greater appreciation of service to others,” Helman said. “For over two months I was dependant on other people. I’ve also learned that in each situation one has the power of how to respond to it. Every day holds opportunity for growth.”

Story by: Luke Mehall, assistant director of public relations and communications