May 03, 2007

Administration of justice students honored

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- The College of Liberal Arts at Southern Illinois University Carbondale recently recognized the academic achievements of several students in its administration of justice program.

Brandon Campbell and Stephanie Whittaker earned Outstanding AJ Senior honors. The award reflects not only academic success but also community or University involvement. Undergraduate adviser Michael Harbin said the selection committee looks for students who are "more than just students."

Campbell, from Braceville, is a University Honors student, an SIUC Provost Scholar and a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Alpha Delta and Alpha Phi Sigma honor societies. He has been an award-winning member of the SIUC Residence Hall Association and the Great Lakes Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls. Campbell completed a summer 2006 administration of justice internship with the office of Illinois Appellate Justice Mary K. O'Brien.

While attending classes, he held a campus job and worked for a local retailer. After receiving his bachelor's degree later this month – he also double-minored in psychology and political science – Campbell plans to attend the University of Denver Law School with an eye to practicing environmental law.

Whittaker, from Toulon, is a member of the SIU Criminal Justice Association, SIUC College of Liberal Arts Council and the Alpha Phi Sigma Honor Society. She participated in the Carbondale Citizen's Police Academy and completed a summer 2006 internship with the U. S. Marshal's Service in Benton. A University Honors student, Whittaker also received a Masonic Lodge scholarship and a Forty and Eight scholarship. While at SIUC, Whittaker was a sergeant with the Saluki Patrol and worked off-campus at Panera Bread. She plans to join the Illinois State Police and ultimately to work with a federal law enforcement agency.

Cassandra Walden, from Johnston City, received the Thomas Castellano Outstanding Internship Award. This award is given to a student who excelled in a department-sponsored internship. Walden worked with Treatment Alternatives for Safer Communities (TASC) during the fall 2006 semester. TASC provides substance abuse counseling for juvenile and non-violent adult offenders, including counseling for those finishing prison sentences and preparing to re-enter society. Walden has a secondary concentration in rehabilitation and substance abuse services. She plans to become a certified alcohol and drug counselor.

Matthew Hilton, from Bolingbrook, won the Administration of Justice Academic Achievement Award. The award is for graduating administration of justice seniors with at least three full-time semesters at SIUC and a grade point average of at least 3.9. Hilton topped that – he has a 4.0 grade point average while also earning a double minor in German and zoology. He said he simply followed his interests in choosing the minors. However, he noted, he could use German if working in diplomatic security or could apply the zoology as a conservation police officer with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Department of Natural Resources.

The Administration of Justice program is part of the Center for the Study of Crime, Delinquency and Corrections at SIUC.