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Jim VanBrederode '88 - Lifelong Roberts Ambassador
Jim VanBrederode ‘88 (Sociology) currently serves as the Chief of Police for the Town of Gates, NY. Jim graduated from Roberts, but also attended two other local colleges at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. However, it was his Roberts experience that made the greatest impact, and no one has been more of a cheerleader for his alma mater than Jim.
Jim spent 10 years as the president of the Alumni Council. He has volunteered in a variety of ways at numerous on campus events. However, most importantly, Jim has been an ambassador for the College in the community and has worked to offer internships and jobs to many of our students and alumni in law enforcement.
Over 20 Roberts students have benefitted from internships set up by Jim with the Gates Police Department. Currently, 5 of the officers in the Town are Roberts alumni and one of our students works in the office. Every chance he gets, Jim tries to help recruit students to the College.
Jim writes, “Don’t hold the story close to your chest—like the Gospel, get out and spread the good news of 2301 Westside Drive! Are you in a position where you can hire a student or provide an internship? Give a student a ‘leg up?’ I have found that the Roberts students I have hired have turned out to be some of my best employees because of the College’s character building. You won’t be disappointed.”
Jim’s passion for Roberts goes back to his experiences as a student. He remembers one of his early visits to campus and the first professor he met, Dr. Bill Descoteaux (Social Work). It was a warm and welcoming experience and encouraged him as he considered transferring. The professors were interactive and helped him learn how to pray, experience quiet time with God, and to grow in his spiritual life.
Professor Wes Vanderhoof gave him a new way of looking at the Gospels and reading the Bible. Elton Smith’s greetings at the library and calls on his birthday are fond memories, and Chapels with Dean LeRoy Kettinger were a part of that growth too (although Chapels then didn’t look like Chapel today; there were no worship teams, just the hymnals, and no visuals, just the speakers).
Jim’s experiences helped take him out of his introvert shell and prepare him for the public life he lives today (Jim is an expert on law enforcement and is frequently interviewed by local television news stations). It also prepared him for additional training with the FBI and the many challenges he faces as a police officer with ever-changing threats to both the community and officers.
This quote from Jim sums it up best, “Roberts is truly a family…whenever I meet a Roberts alum I immediately feel a special connection with that person. Until you have been a part of the RWC community, it’s hard to put in words what we have experienced as graduates, we are special people and share a common bond.”
Chief VanBrederode has worked for the Town of Gates Police Department since he was a junior at Roberts, taking classes at both the College and the Police Academy.
Pictured Left to Right: Chris Grimm ’09, John Eshleman ’09, Stacey Hull ’09, and Chief Jim VanBrederode ’88