Sheriff's Scholarship Program Enhances Criminal Justice

The Office of the Sheriff in New York State has a long and respected tradition in advocating the advancement and improvement of the criminal justice system. This occurs in many ways, but the foundation of this effort is education.

The Sheriffs’ Institute, for over 23 years, has provided a $500 scholarship for a student in each of the state’s community colleges that offer a criminal justice degree.

"We are very committed to attracting men and women of character to the criminal justice field," stated the Sheriffs’ Institute Chairman, Sheriff Ron Spike. “Criminal justice is an extremely challenging occupational field. Because it is so complex and dangerous, practitioners require a great deal of educational training that helps nurture the most important ingredients in the vocation - leadership, ethics and the ability to make quality decisions.”

Recent Recipients

2008 Recipient: Matthew A. Slater of Elmira Heights, NY
Parents: Alan & Schelle Slater of Elmira Heights, NY

Matthew is a 2007 graduate of Thomas A. Edison High School and has completed his first year of studies at Corning Community College. Matthew is pursuing an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice and plans to complete the Fire Technology Program as well.

He has expressed interest in furthering his education and/or attending the Police Academy.
Matthew has been a Volunteer Fire Fighter in Elmira Heights since 2006 and recently has been certified as a NYS EMT.

Matthew is a dedicated individual in all that he pursues as well as a hardworking student.
It is with honor we present this award.

OCCC STUDENT RECEIVES NYSSA SCHOLARSHIP FROM ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF CARL DUBOIS

Orange County Sheriff Carl DuBois presented a $500 Scholarship check and Scholarship Certificate to Stephanie Lambros of Montgomery. Sheriff DuBois presented the scholarship on behalf of the New York State Sheriff’s Association. The Sheriff’s Association provided the scholarship to Ms. Lambros who was nominated by the Criminal Justice Department faculty of Orange County Community College.
Ms. Lambros intends to use the scholarship to further her studies as she pursues a Degree in Law.

On hand to make the presentation were Sheriff DuBois, Dennis O’Loughlin who is the Department Chair of the Criminal Justice Department at OCCC and Robert J. Cacciatore who is a Criminal Justice instructor at OCCC.

Stephanie Lambros of Montgomery receives the New York State Sheriff's Association Scholarship award from Sheriff Carl DuBois.

Also on hand were Robert Cacciatore (L) and Dennis O'Loughlin (R) instructors at Orange County Community College.

Annually, the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute awards a $500.00 scholarship to one deserving student enrolled in criminal justice, police science or similar program in each of the state’s community colleges and at SUNY Canton.

This year three students enrolled in criminal justice at Genesee Community College received such a scholarship. Students from three of Genesee Community College campuses centers (Batavia, Lakeville and Dansville) on May 29, 2008, were presented with the New York State Sheriff’s Association Institute scholarship by Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha, Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess and Livingston County Undersheriff Martin D. Herkimer.

The recipients were nominated by the college’s criminal justice faculty and are identified as follows:

Batavia Campus – Jayme L. Bopp
Lakeville Campus – Alana N. Zigelstein
Dansville Campus – Casey L. Chatley

Each student was presented with a $500.00 check to be used to further their Criminal Justice education, along with a scholarship certificate from the New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute.

From Left: Orleans County Sheriff Scott Hess, Casey L. Chatley- Dansville Campus, Jayme L. Bopp – Batavia Campus, Alana N. Zigelstein – Lakeville Campus, Livingston County Undersheriff Martin Herkimer, Professor Barry Garigen- CJ Department, Genesee County Sheriff Gary T. Maha

An annual scholarship awarded to a student majoring in Criminal Justice and sponsored by the New York State Sheriffs' Association was recently presented to Terry Wilbur, a resident of the Town of Hannibal, Oswego County, and a graduate student at Cayuga Community College, Fulton Campus. Terry achieved an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice in May, 2008, and earned the scholarship based on merit and community participation. He graduated with honors and held the positions of Treasurer and Vice President of the Criminal Justice Society while attending CCC. While enrolled, Mr. Wilber was also a member of Village of Hannibal Board of Trustees and involved in local politics acting as Chairman of the Hannibal Republican Committee and Vice Chair of the Oswego County Republican Campaign Committee. He is a member of the Hibernians, served on the Oswego County Opportunities Youth Services Board of Directors and the Oswego County Youth Court Advisory Board, and was a member of the Hannibal Historical Society, and AmeriCorps. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Participating in the presentation as shown in the attached picture (l-r) were Reuel A. Todd, Sheriff, Oswego County; Terry Wilbur, recipient; Cathleen McColgin, Provost, Cayuga Community College, Fulton campus, and Dr. Daniel Larsen, President, Cayuga Community College.

Where Are They Now?

Kyle Jones graduated from Hudson Valley Community College and then went on to SUNY Albany and got a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He is now an officer with the North Greenbush Police Department.
Thomas Sisson graduated from Broome Community College and went on to SUNY Albany where he earned a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Currently, he is a Probation Officer in Dutchess County.
Chris Grimm graduated from Suffolk County Community College and then went on to earn a BA from C.W. Post. He served as a New York City Police Officer for two years and then transferred to the Lloyd Harbor Police Department in Suffolk County.
Lydia Ralph, after earning her degree from Suffolk Community College, went on to get a BA in criminal justice from Long Island University. She is currently pursing a law enforcement career in the field of immigration and naturalization.
Darrell Day earned an AS in Criminal Justice from Ulster Community College and is currently a police officer with Lloyd Police Department.
Jefrysson Aldana, after graduating from Orange Community College gained admission to John Jay College of Criminal Justice and is majoring in Forensic Psychology. He plans to further his education by getting a Masters in forensic mental health and Doctorate in forensic psychology.
Jeffrey Soja, who after graduating from Mohawk Community College, earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Hilbert College. He now works as a U.S. Park Police Officer in Washington D.C.
Colleen Gere, graduated from Genesee Community College and the University of Buffalo, where she earned a B.A. in pre-law. She is currently a New York State Trooper.
Joseph Miller, a graduate of the Monroe Community College, is now a police officer with the Ogden Police Department.

This is just a sampling of what some of the previous scholarships winners are currently doing. It provides a good reflection of the value of the Sheriffs’ Institute’s Scholarship Program.