After graduating from the School of Criminal Justice, MSU and earning a Masters of Forensic Science from George Washington University, I went to work with the Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI), training in firearms identification and then trace evidence analysis and serology. From there I received additional training in another lab in the area of crime scene investigation (CSI) and photography. I worked with the Northern Illinois Police Crime Lab in bloodstain pattern analysis as well as teaching police officers how to conduct crime scene investigations and received certification from the American Board of Criminalistic. Currently, I am the Lab Director for the Cook County Sheriff's Police Forensic Laboratory.

At the September 29, 2006, meeting of the School of Criminal Justice Alumni Board of Directors, I was nominated Chair for 2007. It is a humbling honor and privilege to serve in this capacity. I greatly appreciate this opportunity to give something back to my alma mater and to the School from which I graduated thirty years ago.

The first order of business is to express thanks to outgoing Board Chair Mark Smith and members Kent Maurer and Charles Rinkevich for their contributions and sacrifice, and look forward to their continued involvement when they are eligible to serve once again. Nominations to the board for the coming year included:

• William Nash
• Richard Lively
• Matthew Heins
• Michael Oltersdorf (the latter nominated again to the Board after his mandated one-term off).

On October 1, 2006, the School of Criminal Justice had the distinct honor of inducting five new members to its Wall of Fame. The inductees included

1. R. Barri Flowers
2. Walter T. Lloyd
3. Audrey Z. Martini
4. Nancy L. Oesch
5. David L. Westrate

Each of these MSU graduates has distinguished himself or herself in the field of Criminal Justice. I would recommend that you to read thoroughly their accomplishments at the Virtual Wall of Fame at http://www.cj.msu.edu/~career/alumni/wall or visit the Kiosk at the Nisbet Building on campus where the Wall of Fame is located for all to view.

The Alumni Board of Directors would appreciate your input in nominating anyone you know who meets the requirements of induction and embodies the high character traits necessary for this honor. Nominations may be made online at http://www.cj.msu.edu/~career/alumni/wall/wallonline.html or by contacting Candy Curtis at curtis7100@comcast.net.

Michigan State's School of Criminal Justice continues to attract excellent professors to its ranks. The Board would like to join Dr. Ed McGarrell and the SCJ staff in welcoming the new faculty members in 2006: Dr. Steven Chermak, Dr. Carole Gibbs, Dr. Jesenia Pizarro, Dr. Eric Sevigny, Dr. William Terrill, Dr. Ruth Waddell, and Dr. Carol Anne Zimmermann. The Board joins the other faculty and students in wishing the new members all the best during their tenure at the world's finest Criminal Justice program.

Finally, the Board has proposed several ideas to consider during the 2007 year:

• Produce a thirty second PSA for the School of Criminal Justice to be telecast on national television.
• Expanded development of an endowed scholarship sponsored by the Alumni Board of Directors for SCJ students.
• Adjustments to the requirements of induction to the Wall of Fame to include professors who have left a profound and indelible mark on the School but who were not graduates of the program.
• Development of a five-year strategic plan.
• Dedicated facility to embody the various disciplines of the School.

The School of Criminal Justice Alumni Board solicits your input and comments; we would appreciate any advice or ideas you would offer. Please spread the word about this publication and the excellent work being accomplished by Dr. McGarrell and the staff at SCJ, especially to fellow alumni who may not be aware of our current events.

If I may be of assistance to any of you, or if you have any questions about or for our Alumni Board, please contact me at WWilson4N6@aol.com. Thank you for all of your encouragement and support.

<< Go Back