return afterward . Those that do not leave to continue school find themselves with limited employment opportunities and the cycle repeats .
By offering a program that allows rural students to earn a degree from within their own communities , it increases the likelihood that these individuals will work in these communities or others nearby . WVJC President Chad Callen says , “ The hybrid of online and in-person teaching accommodates students who may also need to work , take care of family and manage other responsibilities at the same time .”
Classes are completed online , while clinical training takes place in the evenings and on weekends at local hospitals and a state-of-the-art mobile nursing lab .
Davis & Elkins Honors Coach Hammer for Success in Tokyo Paralympics and in college . After earning his bachelor ’ s degree , Hammer joined the U . S . Paralympics Track and Field Team , where he was able to qualify for the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the 1,500-meters and the marathon .
In 2013 , he decided to try out a new sport : triathlon . Despite not having a training background in swimming or biking , two of the three elements of a triathlon race , he felt his long-distance running success would translate .
Since then , he has had no regrets in his decision to branch out into triathlon . Competing on the USA Paratriathlon National Team , Hammer was a bronze medalist at the ITU Paratriathlon World Championships in 2014 , 2017 and 2019 .
He also competed as a Paralympian in the last two Olympics , held in London in 2012 and Rio de Janeiro in 2016 , and has 23 ITU Paratriathlon international event podium finishes in 31 total races , including 10 first-place finishes .
Chris Hammer , Davis & Elkins College head triathlon coach , returned to Elkins after representing the U . S . on the Paralympic Triathlon Team to a welcome home parade . Triathletes covered a 750 meter swim , non-drafting 20 kilometer bike and 5 kilometer run at Tokyo ’ s Odaiba Marine Park , the same venue as the Olympic triathlon competitions . Hammer placed fourth in the PTS5 Sport Class .
Upon his return , Hammer , his wife and daughters were guided through the Wees Historic District in Elkins in a Davis & Elkins College golf car , escorted by an Elkins City Police cruiser .
Born with one hand due to a congenital condition , Hammer never let his impairment impact his ability to compete in athletics while growing up
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