Becker Lives to Help and Save Others’ Lives

By Alison Azbell 

In the crowded cafeteria of Emory & Henry College and behind the cashier stand in the Van Dyke center, Susie opens the doors every day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In her Emory & Henry cashier uniform, fellow students at Emory & Henry know Susie as the coolest cafeteria worker.

Susie, whose full name is Susanne Lynn Becker, was born April 2, 1969. Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Susie moved to Glade Spring, Virginia, to pursue her dream of being an EMT-B teacher. Susie works as an EMT-B with the Glade Spring Volunteer Life Saving Crew, continuing her day after she leaves the cafeteria by saving lives at night. Susie’s variety of occupations does not stop there, either. Working as a cashier operator and EMT, Susie is also a substitute teacher for People Inc. as well as the Washington County school system.

When asked why she enjoyed her job at Emory as well as her other occupations, Susie said, “I enjoy my job at Emory because of the people I meet. I like to be of assistance to people in the community, and I enjoy being able to give back to the people who are in my community, and thank them for the donations that they give in return. It’s part of my job to give back to the community, and I do the best that I can.”

When Susie was a young girl, she decided that she wanted to be a teacher when she grew up. She says that by being a teacher, she is able to help anyone and everyone she possibly can. It is obvious to the community and to the students and faculty here at Emory that Susie is a giving person and is someone who should be recognized more often.

Susie shows strong emotion when talking about her occupations and ability to give back to her community from the sincere look in her eyes when sharing her experiences throughout her 16 years as an EMT. As an EMT for over a decade, Susie has been able to see a whole variety of situations, ranging from delivering babies, automobile accidents, gunshots, fires, drunks, suicides, heart attacks and strokes. “There is no way to really list all the things I have seen over the years,” Susie explains. “Every night is something different, and there is always a different story to tell. Even after 16 years I still get to see something new every now and then.”

No one would ever guess that Susie is a competitive person. Her competitiveness is seen when she is not saving lives, teaching, or feeding college students. In her spare time, Susie participates in the competition EMT team where she competes against different agencies in the county. “When I have more spare time, I love spending time with my wonderful niece and nephew,” Susie said. “Going to their sporting events is my favorite thing in the world to do.”

Susie is still relatively young and has not made any new plans for the future. “I don’t see myself making any large adjustments with my life in the near future. I’m just living life to the fullest, one day at a time.” It is only expected that with all of her occupations and hobbies, Susie is proud of who she is and what she does with her life. “Knowing that I have made a difference in one person’s life is what keeps me going from day to day,” Susie says. “No matter how big or small the problem may be that I have to face, just knowing that I am able to leave a smile on someone’s face is the greatest achievement for me. It is also great to hear someone tell me they are proud of the work that I do every now and then as well.”

Susanne Lynn Becker, also known to Emory & Henry students and faculty as Susie B., is one marvelous and exciting person who should be thanked. Without people like her, the Glade Spring community and Emory & Henry College would not be the same. From all of us here at Emory & Henry, we say thank you, Susie!

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