FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUSTICE IS SERVED FOR AWARD-WINNING DCC STUDENTS, ADVISOR

Danville Community College Justice Club members and their advisor, John Wilt, DCC Assistant Professor of Administration of Justice pose with Dr. William Bass, Forensic Anthropologist from the University of Tennessee and a keynote speaker at the American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon National Conference. Shown left to right are (first row): Wilt, Bass, Linda Poke and Alex Jackson; (back row) Johnny West, Jeremy Fowler and Byron Henderson.

         DANVILLE, VA, April 29, 2005 – For five Danville Community College students, a recent trip to Memphis, TN was all in the name of justice—criminal justice.

         The group, including their professor and advisor John Wilt, brought home a total of six awards for their participation during the 68th Annual American Criminal Justice Association-Lambda Alpha Epsilon (ACJA-LAE) National Conference, held recently in Memphis. The group represented the DCC chapter of ACJA-LAE --Justice Club-Omega Alpha Omicron.

         With the theme “Homicide Investigation: Using Modern Technology in CSI and Forensic Cases,” more than 500 students and chapter advisors from across the nation participated in workshops, seminars and in written, practical and physical competitions.

         In the lower collegiate division, DCC student and Danville resident Linda Poke, received a first place trophy in the ACJA-LAE knowledge competition and a third place trophy in the physical agility competition. She also was one of only three students in the nation to receive the Richard McGrath Memorial Fund Award, which recognized her extensive chapter participation.

         In the same division, students Byron Henderson of Alton, and Johnny West of Danville, received second and third place trophies, respectively, in the ACJA-LAE knowledge competition.

         Wilt, DCC Associate Professor of Administration of Justice, was elected president of ACJA-LAE Region IV, which includes 33 college and university chapters in 13 states. He also received a first place trophy in the professional division of the ACJA-LAE knowledge competition and earned a first place trophy in the physical agility competition for the “aged 36 and older” category.

         Other club members attending the conference included Jeremy Fowler and Alex Jackson, both of Danville.

         One of the conference highlights was a presentation by professor, writer and forensic anthropologist Dr. William Bass, who Wilt said helped create the “Body Farm” located at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville which allows for the study of human decomposition. The DCC students also toured the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and Correctional Facility. They also took advantage of networking opportunities at a job fair.

         “This event offers participants the time to network with students from across the nation that share their interests and career goals. It’s a chance for our chapter to find activity and fund-raiser ideas that we hadn’t thought about before,” Wilt said. “Having a presence on the national level helps put our students and Danville Community College on the map in the world of criminal justice. We’ve shown that we are active and capable and that our students have knowledge to offer employers in this field.”

         The club received funding for the trip from the Danville Bar Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 647, Wal-mart, Danville ELKS Lodge 227 and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 36.

         The Administration of Justice program, which offers an Associate in Applied Science degree, prepares individuals for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and protective services. Depending on student interest, one of these three areas is selected for concentrated coursework. Instruction includes both theoretical concepts and practical applications needed for future success in public safety.

        For more information on the Administration of Justice program or the DCC Justice Club, please contact John Wilt at 434.797.8468; toll free at 800.560.4291, ext. 8468. Wilt can also be reached via e-mail at jwilt@dcc.vccs.edu.