SHSU College Of Criminal Justice: September 2014

College Founder Prospered as Accidental Criminologist

George Beto talks with inmates in prison

George Beto was the Director of the Texas Department of Corrections.

George Beto, Ph.D., whose name is synonymous with the College of Criminal Justice, didn’t start out in a career in criminal justice.

The son of a Lutheran minister, Beto was a graduate of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis when he received his call to come to Concordia College in Austin to teach, eventually serving as president of the institution. He was later appointed to the Texas Prison Board, which began his service in prisons and the criminal justice discipline that stretched from Texas to Illinois to Alabama.

Following the untimely death of O.B. Ellis, director of the Texas Department of Corrections (TDC), Beto was tapped to head the statewide agency.

. . . read more

College Bids Farewell to Former UPD Police Chief

Chief Charles Tackett poses with his bust, commissioned by Huntsville Artist Donnie Wyatt.

by the University Police Department

On September 23, 2014, after a lengthy illness, former Chief Charles W. Tackett passed away. Charles W. Tackett was the chief of police of the Sam Houston State University Police Department for 32 years beginning in August 6, 1973 and ending his tenure on November 1, 2005. Chief Tackett was an Alumnus of the University and a long-time supporter.

. . . read more

Real Talk w/CJ: ATF Special Agent Alex Johny

Wed, Sep 24, 2014
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

With the rash of armed robberies of cell phone stores and pawn shops in the Houston area, ATF Special Agent Alex Johny is assigned to a task force to catch the criminals behind those serial attacks.

An agent for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Johny has been assigned to the gun group for the last six years, targeting convicted felons, illegal aliens, gangs and other organized groups with firearms. Using confidential informants or undercover buys, Johny investigates guns used in crimes or the individuals that cannot legally possess them.

. . . read more

Career Expo & Graduate/Professional School Fair

Wed, Sep 24, 2014
10:00am - 2:00pm
Johnson Coliseum

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Meeting

Wed Sep 24, 2014
4:00pm
Lowman Student Center, Room 302

Bearkats Fight the Night Event

College Celebrates 50 Years of Service

Image consists of inmate who constructed Criminal Justice center and today's police office with the 50th anniversary seal

Fifty years ago, the College of Criminal Justice began as an idea – to better train law enforcement, court and corrections officers and to use the state prison system as a research laboratory to identify causes and treatments for offenders, and to assist agencies in developing effective practices to reduce crime.

. . . read more

CJ Faculty/Staff Honored for Service

Cecil Marquart (l), Director of Impaired Driving Initiatives, has served the College for 35 years.

Six faculty and staff members from the College of Criminal Justice were honored for their dedicated years of service during the annual meeting for employees at Sam Houston State University.

Among those recognized for more than 20 years of service to the College were Drs. Dennis Longmire and Steven Cuvelier and staff members Cecil Marquart, David Epps, Cutty Gilbert and Ann Broussard.

. . . read more

Study Finds Most Gang Life is Short-Lived

Gang members in front of grafhetti.

Although membership in a gang is often depicted as a lifelong commitment, the typical gang member joins a gang at age 13 and only stays active for about two years, according to a study at Sam Houston State University.

. . . read more

Brown Bag: How Not to Fail Grad School

Brown page lunch with yellow sticker that says Learn.

Mon, Sep 22, 2014
3:30 - 4:30 P.M.
Texas Room, Criminal Justice Center

Presented by Dr. William King

. . . read more

Career Expo Kick-off Party

Carer Services logo

Tue, Sep 16, 2014
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lowman Student Center, Mall Area

A Day in the Life of an FBI Agent

Osiel Cardenas during his capture in Mexico.

While on surveillance with an informant in Matamoros, Mexico, FBI Agent Daniel Fuentes and his DEA partner were forced off the road and surrounded by 15 members of the Gulf Cartel, AK-47s pointed at their heads.

. . . read more

Evaluating Effective Use of GIS in Policing

Toy police car on a map

Police agencies are using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for mapping crime, identifying crime “hot spots,” assigning officers and profiling offenders, but little research has been done about the effectiveness of the technology in curbing crime, according to a study at Sam Houston State University (SHSU).

. . . read more

Beto Chair Lecture: Dr. Bruce Budowle

Beto Chair

Bruce Budowle of the University of North Texas featured in Beto Chair lecture on bioterrorism and microbial forensics.

Mon, Sep 15, 2014
9:30 - 11:00 A.M.
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Dr. Bruce Budowle in the lab.
Dr. Bruce BudowleThe College of Criminal Justice will host Dr. Bruce Budowle, Professor and Executive Director of the Institute of Applied Genetics of the University of North Texas (UNT) Health Science Center's Institute of Investigative Genetics and Vice Chair of the Department of Forensic and Investigative Genetics. He will discuss "Bioterrorism and Microbial Forensics."

. . . read more

Bearkat Family Weekend: College of Criminal Justice Open House

Bearkat Family Weekend log

Sat, Sep 13, 2014
11:00am - 1:00pm
Criminal Justice Center, Lobby

Join the College of Criminal Justice during Family Weekend, Sept. 12-14! Learn about the three Departments at the College, including Criminal Justice and Criminology, Security Studies and Forensic Science; seven student organizations, including Alpha Phi Sigma, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, the National Association of Black in Criminal Justice, the Society of Forensic Science, Phi Alpha Delta, the Crime Victim Services Alliance and the Graduate Student Organization; CJ Study Abroad Programs; Internships; the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas; the Correctional Management Institute of Texas; and graduate programs. See you there!

Alumna Helps Residents Prepare for Disasters

Alumna Stevee Franks in the Harris County Emergency Operations Center.

Alumna Stevee Franks is a CERT coordinator for Harris County.

As a CERT coordinator, Stevee Franks helps ordinary people prepare for disasters in the third largest county in the country – whether it is a hurricane, a fire, a terrorist attack or other major emergencies in their neighborhoods.

. . . read more

Bearkat Family Weekend

Bearkat Family Weekend Logo.

Fri, Sept 12 - Sun, Sept 14
Sam Houston State University

Families of Sam Houston State University’s more than 19,000 students are invited to participate in the spirit, pride and tradition of campus life Sept. 12-14 during this year’s Bearkat Family Weekend.

The weekend will allow families to experience all that SHSU has to offer through tours, open houses with faculty and administrators, and other activities, showing families what makes SHSU so great, according to Chelsea Smith, assistant dean of students for parent relations and special programs. . . . Read more . . .

National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice Meeting

Logo for the National Association of Black in Criminal Justice.

Wed Sep 10, 2014
4:00pm
Lowman Student Center, Room 302

Criminal Justice -- Graduate Student Organization General Meeting

Graduate Student Organization logo

Tue, Sep 9, 2014
3:30 P.M.
Texas Room, Criminal Justice Center

Welcome back and planning for the upcoming year.

Brown Bag: Student Travel to Conferences

Brown page lunch with yellow sticker that says Learn.

Mon, Sep 8, 2014
3:30 - 4:30 P.M.
Texas Room, Criminal Justice Center

Presented by Karen Eads, Administrative Technician and Michaelanne Teeters, Administrative Assistance, who handle all travel forms and reimbursement scenarios in the department.

. . . read more

Society of Forensic Science Meeting

Society of Forensic Science logo

Wed, Sep 3, 2014
5:00 PM
Chemistry and Forensic Science Building
Room 103

The Society of Forensic Science is a special interest group at SHSU, consisting of individuals who are interested in working together to expand and share their knowledge of Forensic Science. The society participates in various volunteer and fundraising activities throughout the year.

They will hold a "Welcome Back" meeting to discuss plans for the semester. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Lambda Alpha Epsilon Informational Meetings

Lambda Alpha Epsilon logo

Tue, Sep 2 -- Tue, Sep 9
Criminal Justice Center, CJava Cafe

The American Criminal Justice Association, a national organization of criminal justice students, academics, and professionals with membership in over three quarters of the states in the nation, will hold meetings this week for those interested in joining the organization.

The dates and times of the meetings are:

Tue, Sep 2, 3:00pm and 6:00pm

Wed, Sep 3, 3:00pm and 8:00pm

Thu, Sep 4, 4:00pm

Fri, Sep 5, 3:00pm and 8:00pm

Mon, Sep 8, 3:00pm and 8:00pm

Tue, Sep 9, 3:00pm

CJ Welcome Week

Cj Ambassadors stand outside the Beto Criminal Justice Center.

The College of Criminal Justice will welcome students back with a week full of events to introduce them to the many opportunities available at the College.

Tue, Sept 2, 2014
Internship 101
2:00pm
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Wed, Sept 3, 2014
CJ Movie Night
4:00pm
Hazel B. Kerper Courtroom

Thursday, Sept 12, 2014
Student Organization Fair
10:00am - 2:00pm
CJ Lobby