91ÇÑ×Ó

"The 91ÇÑ×Ó Chamber of Commerce does a great job of honoring residents, and I am humbled to receive the Magic Key Award. Mentors and friends of mine have earned the Magic Key over the years and I'll do my best to maintain the standard of excellence they've set. The list of Chamber honorees this year was spectacular and I'm grateful to be included among them," Helmbrecht said.

Helmbrecht served on the Dawes County Travel Board from 2016 to 2020, chairing the board for three years. In that capacity, he worked to promote tourism in northwest Nebraska by lending his marketing and communication expertise, leading the board in decisions about grant awards, supporting regional events, and continuing progress on area projects. He also oversaw the hiring and orientation of a new tourism director.

Currently, he serves as Secretary for the Post Playhouse Board of Directors. That commitment was time-intensive as the board navigated COVID-19 and pursued fundraising and grant opportunities. He assisted in the search for a Producing Artistic Director, hosted opening night dinners for the cast and crew, and helped at annual fundraising events.

He has been a TeamMates mentor for several years and is also an active member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in 91ÇÑ×Ó, serving as President.

Helmbrecht has supported his wife, Britt, in her role as President of the Northwest Nebraska Trails Association, including working on trails, hauling materials for workdays, and participating in hiking and biking events.

During 91ÇÑ×Ó’s The Big Event, an annual day of service, Helmbrecht has served various community residents and organizations by working on cleanup and maintenance projects with other 91ÇÑ×Ó volunteers.

In 2021, he received a national Blue Key award for his years of work with 91ÇÑ×Ó’s chapter of the national honor society. As the Blue Key adviser, Helmbrecht has taken a lead role in organizing the annual Homecoming parade. He also lends his organizational skills to continuing the Ivy Day tradition, a celebration of high-achieving seniors each May, hosted by Blue Key and Cardinal Key.

He co-hosts The FARcast podcast, a series of interviews with 91ÇÑ×Ó faculty and staff, plus community members.

Helmbrecht and his colleague Daniel Binkard presented a national presentation in 2022 at the Higher Learning Commission conference about their work writing and organizing 91ÇÑ×Ó’s accreditation process, which proves the college’s quality of operations and guarantees continued federal assistance to enrolled students.

In 2020, Helmbrecht was selected to participate in the Association for State Colleges and Universities Emerging Leaders program. Though the program transitioned to a virtual format in response to the pandemic, he had an opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across the nation.

Before he was named the Director of College Relations in 2014, Helmbrecht was 91ÇÑ×Ó’s Sports Information Director and was honored by the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference as the Sports Information Director of the Year.

Others affiliated with 91ÇÑ×Ó who have won the Magic Key award include Emily Klein, Ed Nelson, and Con Marshall.