Trine University’s Tau Alpha Omicron chapter of the ACJA won national awards at a conference in Tennessee March 20-25. In front, from left, are David Nichols, advisor Craig Laker and Alex Simmons. In back, from left, are Andrew Wilhelm, Dustin Eggert, Andrew Behnfeldt, Amy Van Bonn, Andrew Ross and Vincent Keesler.

Criminal justice team earns national awards

ANGOLA, Ind. — Trine University’s Tau Alpha Omicron chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association captured a record number of awards at the National ACJA Conference in Memphis, Tenn., March 20-25.

The team earned the right to compete at nationals after claiming 22 team and individual awards at a regional conference in October in Indianapolis.

Eight students and one professor, in three teams, competed against more than 500 criminal justice students and practitioners in categories such as crime scene investigation, handgun marksmanship and written exams.

A professional team consisted of chapter advisor Craig Laker and students Alex Simmons and Vincent Keesler. They also serve as Hamilton Police Reserve Officers. The team won third place in crime scene investigation. Laker won second place in the professional division for the written exam competition of corrections.

An upper division team consisted of Dustin Eggert, Andrew Behnfeldt and Andrew Wilhelm. A second upper division team consisted of Andrew Ross, Amy Van Bonn and David Nichols.

“All the ACJA members were able to make progressive strides in leadership, career development and education, preparing them for their bright and exciting futures in the criminal justice field,” Laker said.