The Rap Sheet - Illinois State · uty Superintendent of the newly formed Bureau of Professional...

Hello!

Illinois State University‘s Department of Criminal Justice Sciences is thriving! Our stu-

dents, alumni, faculty, curriculum, and facilities seem to get better and better each and

every year.

Our students continue to shine in the classroom and beyond. In the following pages, you‘ll

read about our award-winning students. We are extremely proud of their accomplish-

ments. In the 2009-2010 academic year, 160 students graduated with bachelor‘s degrees

and six with master‘s degrees. A total of 131 students were placed in internships. Alpha

Phi Sigma continues to shine in the classroom and in the community with its community

service projects. Our other two student organizations - The Social Justice Project and the

Criminal Justice Association - are continuing to increase membership and offer interesting

activities for our students.

You will also read about two of our esteemed alumni, Andrew Velasquez III (‘93, MS ‘94)

and McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery ‘03. Peter Brust ‘82, who is serving as the Dep-

uty Superintendent of the newly formed Bureau of Professional Standards, was inducted

into the inaugural CAST Hall of Fame. We are especially proud of our alums and would

like to get to know more about you.

The faculty also had an incredibly impressive year—see page six for details! Additionally,

Dr. Cara Rabe-Hemp and Tracy Wehrle‘s work on Breaking Barriers received the Out-

standing New Program Award by Diversity Advocacy, Office of Dean of Students. Our

faculty and staff continue to publish their research in top journals, write books and present

at national and international venues.

Along with our new state-of-the-art computer lab, we continue to improve our curriculum

and offer strong programs at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. We aim to be the

premier criminal justice program in the region and nation. We continue to offer excellent

and exciting study abroad opportunities in Russia and India and have only recently devel-

oped ties with two universities in England and Scotland. In summer 2011, we will have an

opportunity for students to go to Croatia for courses on a variety of criminology/criminal

justice topics.

Thanks to your continued support, the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences at Illinois

State University continues to have outstanding students, alumni, faculty, facilities, and

curriculum. With your help we will continue to build on the successes of our past and pre-

pare for the successes of tomorrow.

Letter from the chair - Dr. Jackie Schneider

The Rap Sheet

The Rap Sheet

Inside this issue:

Alumni Spotlight 2

Alumni News 3

Student News 4-5

Faculty/Staff News 6

Department News 7-8

Department Events 9-10

Distinguished Alumni

Constitution Day

2009-10 Student Awards

New Faculty Member

Mark Leymon

Faculty Awards

Special points

of interest:

The Alumni Newsletter of the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences at Illinois State University

I recently had the chance to sit down with the newly appointed Administra-

tor for FEMA Region V and Criminal Justice alum, Andrew Velasquez III

‘93, M.S. ‘94, during his last days as the director of the Illinois Emergency

Management Agency (IEMA).

Sitting in front of a plasma television displaying video surveillance from

various key locations in the city of Chicago, Velasquez has at his command

the most technologically advanced tools to deal with any crisis the state of

Illinois may face. From natural disasters to biological terrorist attacks,

IEMA has a plan and the means to carry it out. Proactivity is the name of

the game when it comes to keeping the citizens of Illinois safe. Strategically

placed (and undisclosed) cameras monitor key locations throughout the

state in an effort to identify threats and respond before an incident occurs.

With the increased threat of terrorism since September 11, 2001, IEMA‘s

focus has shifted into high gear with efforts to protect citizens and prop-

erty, not just Chicago or Springfield, but throughout the state. Technology

such as this is critical given the current global climate and the position of

the United States in the war on terror. Velasquez emphasizes the specific

need for the integration of new and evolving technology in the field of

emergency management, ―the technological integration from the perspec-

tive of video surveillance, satellite capabilities, and interoperable radio com-

munications…,‖ as well as the capability to seamlessly share information

between agencies, which he describes as ‗critical.‘ New technologies in use,

specifically by IEMA, exist not only in support of state wide emergencies

but are also used by local agencies during local emergencies. These include

the StarCom system, which is the state-wide interoperable radio platform,

as well as specialized trailers that facilitate interoperability, and satellite

capabilities and dedicated portable cellular networks for increased commu-

nication capabilities in times of crisis.

The IEMA facility also houses a 24 hour communications center that is re-

sponsible for monitoring activity throughout the state and receiving infor-

mation on emergencies that occur throughout the state. This allows IEMA

to remain adequately informed of emergencies and respond with the neces-

sary state assets if needed. ―We handle, and we respond to what I like to

say are the two T‘s and everything in between; from tornadoes to terrorism

and everything in between, IEMA has had a role and will continue to have

a role in supporting the response and recovery efforts of local units of gov-

ernment throughout the state of Illinois.‖ Mr. Velasquez clarifies the role of

IEMA in emergencies by stating that ―we follow a tiered response philoso-

phy, so all events begin as local events and they end as local events.‖

(Continued on page 11.)

Alumni Spotlight

The Rap Sheet

Andrew Velasquez III

‘93, M.S. ‘94

“The role of the

university is

also becoming

increasingly

important in

the field of

emergency

management…”

McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery graduated in 2003 from Illinois State University with

a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice Sciences. Emery, who started with the

McLean County Sheriff‘s Department as a deputy in 1981, has been the sheriff since 2006.

He says that it was a combination of events over time that led him to ISU and the comple-

tion of his degree. In 1992 he received his associate‘s degree from Lincoln College and in

1996 attended the FBI National Academy for 12 weeks. He completed 16 hours from the

University of Virginia, which consisted mostly of 400-level courses. Emery decided to util-

ize ISU to finish his last steps in completing his bachelor‘s degree. When asked how he

balanced school work with his professional career, Emery says, ―It was hectic, but I was

determined to finish it.‖ He devoted his evenings to school work and classes; his weekends

to his sons‘ sporting events, such as baseball and soccer; and his daytime to his career with

the Sheriff‘s Department. Emery noted that his wife, who was also a Criminal Justice Sci-

ences graduate from ISU in 1980, was very understanding and supportive of his goal of a

degree and understood what it would take for him to achieve it.

In regards to how his education has prepared him for becoming sheriff, Emery says that he

utilizes his education by taking what he learned in school and applying it to real life in or-

der to find what works best for his community, which in turn will make change happen.

As an Infantryman in the United States Marine Corps from 1975-1979, Emery served over-

seas for 19 months with the Military Police Shore Patrol. He always had an interest in law

enforcement and when he got out of the Marines, he was certain that is what he wanted to

do with his life. Law enforcement is also in the Emery family, as his father retired as a

Bloomington Police Officer. Emery noted that his military experience gave him the disci-

pline, motivation, and maturity he would later need for a successful career in law enforce-

ment. A strong work ethic is one characteristic in particular that he believes has helped

him succeed in his career. Emery says, ―I am not one to sit around and wait for someone

to tell me what to do.‖

Emery advises that anyone interested in getting into the criminal justice field, and law

enforcement in particular, look at it as a career and not just a job. He believes that a

strong work ethic is a must, and that graduates should utilize their education, and most

importantly, make change happen.

Utilizing the education and knowledge of the professors in the Criminal Justice Depart-

ment to help the criminal justice system in his community is one way that Sheriff Emery

stays connected to Illinois State University as an alumnus.

Emery admits that that it came as a bit of a surprise to him that the school noticed him as

a distinguished alumnus. When he found out that he was chosen to receive the award, he

was humbled and overwhelmed.

Article written by CJS Alum Mark Harcharik ’10

2009-10 Departmental Distinguished Alumnus

“Emery

advises that

anyone

interested in

getting into

the criminal

justice field,

and law

enforcement

in particular,

look at it as a

career and

not just a

job.”

The Rap Sheet

McLean County Sheriff

Mike Emery ‘03

Alumni News

Do you know an

alum who deserves

special recognition?

Nominate him or her

to the CAST

Academy of

Achievement or the

CAST Hall of Fame!

http://cast.illinoisstate.edu/awards/achievement_awards/AcademyofAchievent.shtml



http://cast.illinoisstate.edu/awards/achievement_awards/hofapplication.shtml

This award is presented to a senior

in Criminal Justice Sciences with

the greatest number of class hours

taken at Illinois State, and whose

grade point average is highest

among those students whose entire

career has been at Illinois State.

This year‘s winner was Kyle

Gregg, who was also the 2009

Vitucci Scholarship Winner.

This scholarship was created by family and friends in memory of Peter V. Vitucci, a 1991 Criminal Justice Sciences

graduate. Peter was an excellent student and had a wonderful relationship with the Criminal Justice faculty. He

worked as a police officer with the Wood Dale Police Department until his death in an automobile accident in the

fall of 1992.

The scholarship is awarded to a Criminal Justice Sciences major who has completed the junior year with a minimum

3.0 grade point average. The recipient must intend to work in the criminal justice field, possess high moral values

and integrity, demonstrate leadership qualities, and be involved in activities of the Criminal Justice Sciences

Department and/or the University. The 2010 Vitucci Scholarship Winner was Tyler Wiggs.

2010 Student Awards

Peter V. Vitucci Memorial Scholarship

The Rap Sheet

Bone Scholar Nominees

Tyler Wiggs and Sarah Nutter

Departmental Scholar

(all hours completed at

ISU)

Departmental Scholar

(Transfer)

Community Service

Award

The senior in Criminal

Justice Sciences whose

grade point average is

highest among those

students who transfer into

Illinois State is presented

with this award. This year‘s

winner was Brandi Carlson.

Each year the CJS depart-

ment recognizes a senior

who has distinguished him-

self or herself through both

scholarship and service to

the community. The recipi-

ent must have completed a

minimum of 90 semester

hours-12 hours of which

must have been in criminal

justice - and demonstrated

community

service. This

year‘s

award win-

ner was

Ashleen

Bracey.

Pictured: CAST Dean Jeff Wood, CJS

Chair Jackie Schneider, Tyler Wiggs,

and Marlene and Vincent Vitucci.

Antonio Adams

Michael Allare*

Garrett Anderson Jr.*

Timothy Baldwin*

Deirdre Barnes*

Brett Barr

Thomas Beyer*

Gregory Boyer*

Andrew Brooks*

Arik Bruens*

Brandi Carlson*

Ryan Carney*

Kevin Carollo*

Greg Caruso*

Giovanni Circo*

Ashley Clare*

Kayla Clemens*

Joelia Coleman

Stanley Data Jr.

Andrew Diaz

Aimee Difanis*

Sean Dospoy*

Kevin Dubois*

Marquia Edwards

Bradley Emmett II*

Franklin Esdorn*

Nicholas Fleischman*

Lindsey Gaddy

Kyle Gregg*

Carol Groskreutz

Jacob Gunther*

Philip Hamner*

Kyle Harris

Matthew Hecker*

Erin Herman*

John Hnytka*

Brandon Hochstatter*

Meggie Hogan

Rebekah Horine

Tracey Hunter*

Jordan Jackson*

Corey Jeffers*

Joshua Johnson

Kenneth Jones

Amelia King

Glenn Klinger*

David Kochenash*

Jordan Koziel*

Nicholas Kravat*

Heidi Krebsbach*

Kayla Kurrle

Bradley Kurtzweil*

Ellis Lamay*

Jonathan Layendecker*

Lane Leake*

Eric Lee

Matthew Marberg*

Michelle Matthews

Travis Michaels*

Jaimie Moler*

Ashley Naunheim*

Michael Neal*

Kevin Olsick*

Kevin Orabutt

Sarah Parrish*

Rebecca Pineda*

Nicholas Plattos

Elizabeth Ranck*

Robert Rizzo*

Ashley Rollins*

Jake Rourke

Tyler Sage*

Jeffrey Salsbery*

Kirsten Schmidt*

Michael Sechrest*

Pamela Sejbl*

John Slipke

Jonathan Spears*

Matthew Spencer

David Stappenbeck

Cody Steeples*

Amanda Steinbacher*

Lee Stritzel*

Tawnya Taylor*

Chelsey Thompson*

Antonio Ulloa

Casey Wall*

May 2010 Graduates

The Rap Sheet

Undergraduate Graduate

Amy Herris

Jeremy Braithwaite

* Denotes Dean‘s List

2009-2010 ROTC Commissioning

Each semester students in the

ROTC program are commissioned

as officers. Mike Kuvales was

commissioned in December of 2009.

Arik Bruens and Greg Caruso were

commissioned in May of 2010. Con-

gratulations!

Michael Kuvales ‘09 Arik Bruens ‘10 and Greg Caruso ‘10

This year four of our faculty members

won prestigious awards. Dr. Sesha

Kethineni was named an Outstanding

University Researcher. Dr. Cara Rabe

-Hemp received the University Re-

search Initiative Award, and Dr.

Jessie Krienert was named the CAST

Outstanding Researcher. Dr. Ralph

Weisheit received $200,000 in federal

funding to support his work with the

Franklin County Juvenile Detention

Center in Southern Illinois (see page

8).

Faculty News

Staff News Kathy Willerton

joined the CJS De-

partment in October

2009. In addition to

her work in the CJS

Department, she has

also worked at

COUNTRY Finan-

cial and as the regis-

trar of University

High School.

Chair: Jackie Schneider

Full-time Faculty: Dawn Beichner

Roxanne Castleman

Michael Gizzi

Jason Ingram

Sesha Kethineni

Jessie Krienert

Mark Leymon

Frank Morn

Cara Rabe-Hemp

Jeffrey Walsh

Ralph Weisheit

Ed Wells

Part-Time

Faculty: Judge Don Bernardi

Judge David Butler

Kim Campbell

Judge Scott Drazewski

Randy Macak

Cheri Miller

Randy Wikoff

Assistant to the

Chair/

Advisement: Susan Woollen

Internships: Tracy Wehrle

Support Staff: Jenny Doutt

Kathy Willerton

The Rap Sheet

CJS Department

Faculty and Staff

Weisheit, Ralph. ―Methamphetamine

Laboratories: The Geography of Drug

Production.‖ (with L. Edward Wells).

Western Criminology Review, 11(2): 9-26.

2010.

Weisheit, Ralph. ―War Crimes: Interna-

tional Responses to Genocide.‖ Pp. 269-293

in Comparative and International Policing,

Justice, and Transnational Crime, edited by

Sesha Kethineni. Durham, NC: Carolina

Academic Press. 2010.

Kethineni, S. (Editor, 2010). Comparative

and International Policing, Justice, and

Transnational Crime. Carolina Academic

Press.

Kethineni, S., & Rebecca Lawson (2010).

―Sovereign Lawlessness.‖ Comparative and

International Policing, Justice, and Trans-

national Crime. Durham, NC: Carolina Aca-

demic Press.

Kethineni, S., & Humiston, G. (2010).

―Specific Crimes Against Humanity.‖ Com-

parative and International Policing, Justice,

and Transnational Crime. Durham, NC:

Carolina Academic Press.

CJS welcomes its newest faculty member, Mark Leymon.

Leymon comes to us from the University of Oregon, where

he has recently defended his dissertation, titled “Fixed”

Sentencing Reforms: The Effect on Imprisonment Rates Over

Time. His research areas of interest are quantitative

methods, sentencing, imprisonment, law & social move-

ments, juvenile justice, race and crime, and gender and

crime. He teaches in the areas of criminology, criminal

justice, law & society, deviance, quantitative methods, re-

search methods, social inequality and introductory sociol-

ogy. This fall, he will be teaching Introduction to Criminal

Justice (CJS 101) and Research Methods (CJS 300).

Awards Recent Publications

CJS Hires New Faculty Member!

CJS Themed Living

Department News

Development/Donors

Technology

The CJS Department is excited to announce its new computer lab!

In 2009, with help from the CAST Dean‘s Office, the department

was able to open a computer lab. The lab has 24 stations and will

be used for classes as well as open lab times for majors and non-

majors. All of the computers will have ArcGIS, a mapping pro-

gram that is useful for tracking trends in crime. This is an impor-

tant addition to the department, as having a lab helps our stu-

dents with their classwork, gives them valuable skills for their ca-

reers, and helps the faculty teach more effectively.

The Rap Sheet

Fall 2010 will be the first time that CJS has participated in the

Themed Living program. The third floor of Wilkins Hall will

house CJS students, as well as ROTC students. Living with other

CJS majors provides students with the opportunity to know oth-

ers in their major, as well as being able to connect with faculty as

they participate in floor programs. If you are interested in giving

a presentation or participating in some other way, please contact

Tracy Wehrle at 309-438-3222 or Dr. Michael Gizzi at 309-438-

5001.

Thanks to our donors, the CJS Department is able to offer

scholarships and other opportunities to our students, such as

attending conferences with faculty to present research. This year,

the Department saw an increase in overall Annual Giving, as well

as the Gladly We Give campaign, which consists of faculty, staff

and retiree donations. In addition, the CJS Department placed

second University-wide in the Spirit Tassel Challenge, which gives

graduating Seniors an opportunity to donate to the next genera-

tion of Redbirds. CJS also has a new scholarship, the Martin Lu-

ther King Jr. Scholarship for underrepresented students. If you

are interested in donating to any scholarship fund or the CJS De-

partment in general, please click here.

Thank you to our

Donors! We couldn’t

do it without you!

Christine and

Brett Ahring

Susan and

Thomas Baccus

John Bell

Melissa and

Michael Benjamin

Robert and Toni

Bentel

Charlene Beringer

Blake Bertany

Thomas and Amy

Bower

Margaret Bracey

Deborah and

Orah Buckles

David and Rita

Butler

Brandi Carlson

Ryan Carney

Kimberly Carow

David and Mary

Carter

Lee Clementi

Karmen and Jeff

Coates

Terri and Steven

Cofoid

Curtis and Nancy

Corbige

Anne Dempsey

Richard DuBois

Carolyn and

Elliott Engberg

Justin Fitzgerald

Mark and

Samantha

Franklin

Pamela and

Vernon Fuller

Jerry Gilmore and

Paulette Fleming-

Gilmore

Jan and Jeffry

Gray

Thomas Gronski

Susan and David

Gullstrand

Mark Harcharik

Todd and Patricia

Hoppenstedt

Joy Hutchcraft

Shawn Jackson

Kathrine Johnson

Alexander

Johnston

John Kelly

Victor Kelly

Danielle and

Robert Keska

Keith Kimball

Amelia King

Kristie and Peter

Kowall

Nicholas Kravat

Cathy Kveton

George and Mary

Long

Rachel

McFarland

Scott McIlrath

Marilyn Morrow

Angela and

Michael Murphy

Corey and

Christopher

Murphy

Michael Neal

Peter Orlowicz

James Pickett

Donna Pikora

Julie Price

Cara Rabe-Hemp

and Jason Hemp

David and Susan

Riley

Steve and Deanne

Riportella

Kyle Rokicki

Amy Schmitt

Jacqueline

Schneider

Kathryn and

Scott Schroeder

Kristy and Mark

Smith

Lindsay Smith

Mary Ann Sokol-

Jurcak

Randy Spanton

Glenn and

Kemmy Stickney

Jeffrey Templer

Walter and

Sherry Vesper

Cathy Waltz

Tracy and Mason

Wehrle

Carol and Ralph

Weisheit

L. Edward and

Anna Wells

Jeffrey and Renee

White

Bradley Widmer

Thomas and

Donna Yehl

http://www.esri.com/

http://advancement.illinoisstate.edu/support/student/spirit-tassel.shtml

https://www.illinoisstatealumni.org/ccon/new_gift.do?action=newGift&CCN_FUND_ID=1140&SCENARIO=SELECTFUND

Breaking Barriers is dedicated to increasing the participation of minorities and women interested in ca-

reers in criminal justice sciences by connecting women with mentors in science and technology fields who

encourage them to take applied sciences classes; show them that science and technology careers are fun,

exciting and challenging; and share experiences to help them overcome concerns and barriers. Breaking

Barriers held two panel discussions this semester to address issues commonly faced in the workplace. The

events introduced students to women leaders in the fields of policing, corrections, courts, and private secu-

rity and started a dialogue about the contributions of women and minorities to these male-dominated oc-

cupations.

As a feature to the Student Government Association‘s Diversity Week, Breaking Barriers hosted a panel

discussion on ―Climbing the CJS Ladder.‖ Three Criminal Justice Sciences alumni were featured: Rox-

anne Castleman, Tami Haukedahl, and Tammie Jones. The presentation was awarded the Outstanding

New Program Award by Diversity Advocacy, Office

of Dean of Students, and made the front page of the

Vidette! Read about it here!

An Illinois State University faculty member‘s work with an innovative and ambitious youth

drug treatment program is benefitting from $200,000 in federal funding. Since June 2008,

Ralph Weisheit, a distinguished professor in the Department of Criminal Justice Sciences, has

served as a consultant and evaluator for a youth drug treatment program operated through the

Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center in Southern Illinois.

The funding will be used to support the work of the center and Weisheit‘s ongoing review and

evaluation of the treatment program aimed at youth offenders who are dependent on

methamphetamine and other drugs. Weisheit is a nationally recognized authority on rural

crime, methamphetamine production and use in rural areas, and the overall effectiveness of

drug and alcohol treatment programs.

Youth from more than 40 Illinois counties are referred by court orders to the drug treatment

program at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. The residential treatment

program, which can last up to six months, helps drug-abusing youth to identify drug cravings

and teaches them techniques to reduce or eliminate those cravings. After their residential

treatment, youth receive follow-up counseling services to help them stay off drugs and achieve

work and education goals. (from ISU Media Release, January 19, 2010)

Breaking Barriers

Federal Funding Supports University Projects

The Rap Sheet

Pictured:

Angela Davenport, Coordinator Diversity Advocacy

Tracy Wehrle, Criminal Justice Sciences

Cara Rabe-Hemp, Criminal Justice Sciences

Tabatha Cruz, GA Diversity Advocacy

Ralph Weisheit

http://www.videtteonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31998:women-finding-their-way-in-corrections&catid=35:newscampus&Itemid=53

http://mediarelations.illinoisstate.edu/news_releases/0910/jan/federalmoney.asp

ISU celebrates its founding each

February. To kick off this event, selected

students, faculty, staff, alumni, and

community members participate in a bell

ringing ceremony. Originally the Old

Main bell was rung once for each year

that the University has existed. The Old

Main bell has been retired for quite some

time and another bell has been used in its

place, but this year a new replica of the

Old Main bell was dedicated and rung a

total of 153 times. The CJS Department

had three members ring the bell this year.

Dr. Cara Rabe-Hemp, Susan Woollen,

and Roxanne Castleman helped ring in

the University‘s 153rd birthday.

Every year the Career Center holds job

and internship fairs for students. The

fairs provide the opportunity for students

to meet with prospective employers for

jobs after they graduate, or for

internships while they are completing

their degrees. If your organization would

like to participate in the 2010 Job &

Internship Fair (October 6 from 10 a.m.-

3 p.m.) please contact the Career Center

at 309-438-2200 or Tracy Wehrle in the

CJS Department at 309-438-3222.

Department Events

Founder’s Day 2010

The Rap Sheet

Constitution Day

On September 17th, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met to sign

the Constitution of the United States of America. In 2002 then President George W.

Bush declared that the week of September 17-23 would be Constitution Week. On

September 17th, 2009, we were honored to have University Trustee and Chief Judge

of the U.S. Central District of Illinois, the Honorable Michael P. McCuskey ‘79 as

our inaugural presenter. This year the Honorable Judge Robert Stiegmann gave a

presentation titled The "Inefficiencies" Imposed by the Constitution upon the Criminal

Justice System to a group of about 140 students, faculty, staff, and community

members. See the article in the Vidette!

Career/Internship Fairs

CAST Dean Jeff Wood, CJS Chair

Jackie Schneider, Judge Michael

McCuskey ‘79

Replica of the Old Main Bell,

created by ISU art instructor

Randy Reid

Office of the Inspector General at

the 2010 Internship Fair

http://www.videtteonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32655:steigmann-discusses-inefficiencies-of-justice-system&catid=35:newscampus&Itemid=53

Homecoming is a time for alums to come back to ISU and reconnect with

friends, faculty, and their university home. The 2009 theme, ―Rock the

Red,‖ inspired CJS‘s Elvis float. Join us as we ―Roll Out the Red‖ during

Homecoming week 2010, October 11-17!

Homecoming News

The Rap Sheet

CJS‘s 2009 Homecoming float, complete

with Elvis!

Tammy Allyson Jones (‘85, M.S. ‘94) is the Associate Warden for Operations

at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Pekin, Illinois. She served as

a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force before beginning her

career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP). Jones has held numerous

positions within the FBOP in California, Texas, Arkansas, and Illinois. She is

a native of Central Illinois. Join us on Friday, October 15, to hear her speak

about "Opportunities in the Federal Prison System."

The 2010 Homecoming

Schedule of Events

Friday October 15

9:00 – 9:30 Distinguished

Alum Meet Faculty &

Students

9:45 – 10:45 Speaking

Event –Schroeder Hall

Room 244

11:00 – 12:00 CAST

Reception, TBA

12:00 –2:00 Alumni Day

Luncheon, Brown Ball

Room, Bone Student

Center

2:00 – 4:30 Break

4:30 – 6:30 Presidential

Reception, Center for

Visual Arts

7:00 – 9:00 Dinner

Saturday October 16

9:30 – 10:45 Parade

11:00 – 2:00 Football

tailgate

2:00 – ? ISU v. North

Dakota, Hancock Stadium

Meet our 2010 Distinguished Alum!

2010 Homecoming float—a work in progress!

In other words IEMA only becomes involved when all lower units of government, local, county, etc., are unable to

handle the magnitude of the event.

The role of the university is also becoming increasingly important in the field of emergency management. ―…We

need to prepare, and having programs, having curriculums, in colleges and universities that can train our first re-

sponders in disaster response and recovery efforts and homeland security is critical.‖ Specifically criminal justice

departments now play an increasingly vital role in successfully preparing future criminal justice professionals for

their inevitable role in emergency response. ―All of us who have a role in public safety have a role in disaster re-

sponse. I think it‘s very clear today that police officers [and] law enforcement personnel have a role in homeland

security and emergency management efforts.‖ Mr. Velasquez also emphasized the need for criminal justice pro-

grams to broaden their curriculum to include emergency response and management stating ―We can‘t have every-

thing being law enforcement centric, we have to broaden the horizons a little bit and ensure that students coming

into criminal justice curriculum have an understanding of the fundamentals of emergency management and home-

land security, because I can guarantee you that throughout the course of their career they will in some way shape

or form be exposed to a disaster response scenario.‖

Of his time at ISU Velasquez states, ―I was very fortunate to go to ISU.‖ He credits his military service in the

Army Reserve, and the resulting G.I. Bill support that allowed him to attend ISU as an undergraduate student, as

well as the graduate assistantship that provided him the opportunity to earn a graduate degree from Illinois State

University. ―My experiences at ISU, I firmly believe, have prepared me well for the challenges that I‘ve had

throughout my career and the challenges I will have as I continue my career. I‘ve had the benefit of learning from

not just professors but also from my peers. Learning from smart people, from students, who bring a lot to the table

is just as valuable as experiences in the classroom.‖ Along with many other graduates, Velasquez feels that it was

his time at ISU that led him to his current path and played a major role in his successes. ―I believe that the experi-

ences [at ISU] truly prepared me for the work that I am doing today. I am very fortunate and very grateful to ISU

and to the Criminal Justice Department and all of the professors there that really invested time in me.‖ He credits

ISU with developing his problem-solving skills. ―When you can solve problems and diagnose problems in creative

and innovative ways, your subordinates and your peers react and they follow you… The ability to diagnose prob-

lems and solve problems is something that is critical, and I attribute that ability to my education at ISU.‖

When asked about his new role as regional administrator, Velasquez is eager to say that he is both honored and

humbled regarding his selection by President Barack Obama and his administration. As for what he brings to the

table for FEMA, Velasquez states, ―I am looking forward to the opportunity to bring the experiences that I‘ve

gained both at the local level as well as the state level to FEMA, and to be able to solve problems [and] diagnose

issues. To figure out what we need to do as a region to support the states within the region, to support their emer-

gency management and homeland security needs.‖

In my short time with the director it was clear that he has great appreciation for the education and experiences he

gained here at ISU.

Written by Shane Dixon, CJS Graduate Student

Continued from page 2...

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