The National Labor College Graduates Three IAFF Members

June 25, 2012 – Three IAFF members are among the June 2012 graduates of the National Labor College (NLC). Kansas City, MO Local 42 Member Mark Fuller earned his degree in Labor Education and Labor Safety and Health; Park Ridge, IL Local 2697 Member Matthew Jarka earned his degree in Labor Studies; and Baltimore, MD Local 734 member David Zepp earned a degree in Labor Safety and Health.

“On behalf of the IAFF, I would like to congratulate all of our graduates this year,” says IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger. “I know all of you have worked hard toward your goals.”

Kansas City, MO Local 42 Member Mark Fuller

Fuller is an IAFF 2nd District State Field Service Representative (DSFR) and an IAFF HazMat training instructor. He also has a degree in Fire Science from Western Illinois University.

“I am always looking for ways to broaden my skill set so that I may better assist the IAFF membership and my community,” Fuller says. “While earning these degrees, I learned a lot about distance learning, which will be very helpful as I get involved in various train-the-trainer type programs.”

Park Ridge, IL Local 2697 Member Matthew Jarka

Former Local 2697 President Jarka also earned his degree to help his fellow fire fighters and other members of labor. When Jarka served as local president, he realized he had a passion for labor law. With his new degree from the National Labor College, he plans to start law school at the Chicago Kent College of Law in August.

“Even after I retire as a fire fighter, I still want to continue helping my brothers and sisters in the labor movement,” says Jarka. “My NLC degree is a big stepping stone toward that goal.”
Local 734 member Zepp plans to use what he learned while earning his Labor Safety and Health degree with his involvement with Local 734’s Health and Safety Board.

The National Labor College is the only college in the United States with an exclusive mission to serve the educational needs of the labor movement.