News

Fall Greetings, by Professor Kirby Trask

Wow, what a gorgeous time of year! There is no prettier time in upstate New York than the beginning of autumn. The leaves are magnificent! This year has been marked by unusually sunny and warm weather which was a blessing for RWC’s Homecoming the last weekend of September.

I enjoyed catching up with several alumni during Homecoming. The Criminal Justice Program is blessed to have former students working in all branches of the system, as well as the private sector. Based upon my conversation with alumni, Roberts students are making a difference in the criminal justice field.

The Criminal Justice Program continues to thrive with a total of fifty-two students in the program. We are in the sixth week of our semester with mid-term exams coming up in two weeks. Registration for the spring semester is just around the corner. Please keep students and professors in your prayers.

The Criminal Justice Club has been busy with club activities, including raising funds for the family of Rochester Police Department’s fallen officer, Daryl Pierson.   One thousand dollars was raised during homecoming and additional fundraising events are planned throughout the month of October. I am proud of the club and its leadership for making a difference in our own community. Please keep Officer Pierson’s family and the Rochester Police Department in your prayers.

Another extra-curricular activity our students are involved with is the Federal Patch Project. Retired Secret Service Agent, Steve Petro is working with a group of our students cataloging the largest federal patch collection in the world. Student team leader, Matt Hohler is a senior criminal justice student and assists Petro by providing leadership for this project on campus. As a part of the project Petro provides training to students for federal job opportunities and offers a career path study group to all participants. Our students have benefited by receiving federal internship opportunities and employment at the state and federal levels by partnering with Petro on this project.

I am frequently asked by current students, alumni, and friends of the program about retired Professor Ron Hallman. How are he and his wife doing? The Hallman’s are doing great! He and his wife feel as though they are on a prolonged vacation because each place they visit in the Seattle area is new. They welcomed their first grandchild at the beginning of this year and are enjoying time with their extended family. Ron passes along hearty greetings to all! And, yes, he is still rooting for the Bills and Sabres.

To all current students, alumni, and friends of the Criminal Justice Program, enjoy the remainder of your fall! Stop by for a visit if you are in the area or send me a note to let me know how you are doing. I would love to hear from you. God Bless!

Kirby Trask, Chair, Department of Criminal Justice