The criminal justice department held its student recognition program in Center Lodge’s Bradford room on Monday, April 30.
The event included department awards, faculty recognition and the induction of new members into Eta Zeta, the Plymouth State University chapter of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Alpha Phi Sigma.
The event started with a brief speech from Alpha Phi Sigma’s faculty advisor, Mark J. Fischler. He began by thanking everyone for attending, then asked for a moment of silence in honor of Jared Barrows, Jessica Hamlyn and those lost at the Virginia Tech tragedy.
President Sara Jayne Steen, spoke next and remarked about the losses the campus has suffered this year, and the things which can be gained.
“This is a time of great sadness for our University,” said President Steen. “But, it also a time of joy as we honor you students who excel in your chosen field.”
Steen went on to express her pride for the students in the Criminal Justice Department and for the University as a whole.
Alpha Phi Sigma chapter President, senior Brandon Doolittle, addressed the new inductees of Alpha Phi Sigma, and described the organizations various accomplishments and upcoming projects, including a book drive for the New Hampshire State Prison.
Kelly A. Ayotte, the N.H. State Attorney General, was the events key note speaker. Ayotte told the gathering about her early days as a law clerk and commended the students for choosing a profession that “isn’t monetary.”
“Work in the public sector is highly satisfying,” said Ayotte. “They can not pay you enough to do a job you don’t find rewarding.”
Ayotte continued her speech by expressing that by working hard and keeping positive, the justice profession is one that is worthwhile to commit too.
“There will be plenty of times where you will feel in over your head,” she said, “but believe in yourself, take chances, you will prevail.”
The Criminal Justice Department recognized three students in Alpha Phi Sigma for academic excellence: Patrick Rush received the Outstanding First-Year Criminal Justice Student Award, Dana Nevins received the David L. Kent Criminal Justice Spirit Award, which included a $500 scholarship and James Aceto received the Outstanding Senior Criminal Justice Student award.
Along with the induction of 12 new members, Alpha Phi Sigma also honored and inducted retired N.H. Supreme Court Justice William Batchelder, a resident of Plymouth.
Fischler then led the inducted members in an oath pledging Alpha Phi Sigma, and reminded the inductees to “carry the oath throughout all they do.”
The requirements to be a member of Alpha Phi Sigma honor society is a GPA of at least 3.2 in Criminal Justice, to have completed at least a third of the course work and to be in the top 35 percent of their present class.