TH UR SDA Y , N OV E M B E R 24, 2016
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FIRST RESPONDERS HONORED Waubonsee Community College recognizes local police and fire organizations SHAW MEDIA As part of its ongoing 50th anniversary celebration, Waubonsee Community College recently held a First Responders Appreciation Day at its Plano Campus. The event was designed to recognize local police and fire organizations, expressing the college’s gratitude for the help they provide in educating future “first responders.” Among the speakers were several of Waubonsee’s faculty members, representing the criminal justice, emergency medical technician and fire science programs. Joe Heinrich, assistant professor of criminal justice, cited the cooperation of local police departments in helping students learn how to do their jobs. “I would like to give a spe-
cial acknowledgment to all the police departments who support our program by sponsoring ride-alongs and allowing your officers to be interviewed by our students,” Heinrich said. “In the past 10 years, you have collectively opened your doors for Waubonsee students to interview patrol officers, detectives and crime scene investigators more than 500 times, and have sponsored approximately 1,000 ride-along opportunities for our criminal justice students.” Such opportunities pay off, not only for Waubonsee students but also for local law enforcement agencies, who are then able to hire more qualified applicants who know the community and the job.
See FIRST RESPONDERS, page 5
RIGHT: Several Waubonsee Community College alumni attended the school’s First Responders Event in early November, including Capt. Matt Yackley of the Oswego Fire Department. BELOW: The criminal justice program at Waubonsee Community College has a long and illustrious history, producing several top law enforcement officials. One such alumnus is Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Pat Rolison, shown here addressing the crowd at the college’s First Responders Appreciation Day. LEFT: Fire Science Technology/ Emergency Medical Technician Instructor Andrea Montgomery was one of several speakers at Waubonsee Community College’s First Responders Appreciation Day. She thanked local fire departments for equipment they’ve donated and support they’ve provided. Photos provided