Criminal Justice News Letter
Dear Friends, Students, and Colleagues
This is the latest edition of the Evangel Criminal Justice Online Newsletter. Among other things, we are preparing to travel to Liberal, Kansas for the regional conference of the American Criminal Justice Association in October, 2007. While much is occurring, we would like to focus much of our attention on the death of one of our alumni, Justin Skaggs.
A Tribute to Justin Skaggs
Justin Skaggs, a 2002 Evangel University criminal justice graduate and Crusader football player, died June 15, 2007, one day following emergency brain surgery. Skaggs was playing in his second season for the Utah Blaze, an arena football league in Salt Lake City, Utah, when he was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer. Some could say that Skaggs was living a dream before his death. After graduating from Evangel University, Skaggs spent two seasons with the Washington Redskins, and some brief periods with the World Football League, the San Francisco 49ers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He joined the American Football League’s Orlando Predators before being drafted to the Utah Blaze.
Skaggs was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer at the beginning of June, 2007, and the day before his death he had undergone emergency surgery to relieve pressure on the brain. Skaggs is survived by a wife, Tara, of six years; a son, Jake, 5: and a daughter, Abbie, 3. Jef Wells, a personal friend of Skaggs, stated in the June 25, 2007 publication of the Springfield Newsleader that Justin “had such a drive and desire for excellence.” In that same article by Cliff Sain, Skaggs was described as a “rare” individual who “made an impact” on his teammates’ lives. Skaggs was also described in The Salt Lake Tribune as “a one-of-a-kind person,” “a class individual,” and “a great teammate, a great husband, and a great father.”
Bob Cirtin, Director of Evangel’s criminal justice program, said that Justin was very intense as an athlete and equally intense about his relationship with God. Justin’s relationship with God continued to be a guiding force in his life and that of his family. His life should serve as a role model to us all. Justin will be missed.
It’s A Small World
Joel Maxwell, a criminal graduate of Evangel, formerly served as the training sergeant for the Greene County Sheriff’s Department (Springfield, Missouri). He also serves in the U.S. Army reserves. He was called to active duty and is currently stationed in Afghanistan.
David Strysko, also a criminal justice graduate of Evangel, was commissioned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army at graduation and then went into active duty. He is currently serving in Afghanistan.
Would you believe that Joel and David ran into each other in Afghanistan? This is truly a small world.
Evangel Criminal Justice team places at regional competition
The Evangel University chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Theta Alpha Delta, attended the Association’s Region 3 annual conference in Liberal, Kan., Oct. 26-28.
College students from nine states attended the conference, which included a job fair, workshops and competitions.
Evangel won trophies in all categories as follows:
Student Division
Academic Testing
- Daniel Sangaree, sophomore criminal justice major, Marianna, Fla. – 2nd place in Criminal Law
- Daniel Sangaree – 3rd place in Juvenile Justice
- Daniel Sangaree – 3rd place in Police Management and Operations
Criminal Investigation Team – 2nd place
- Tyler Loven, senior criminal justice major, Bismarck, N.D.
- Aaron Maxwell, senior criminal justice major, Raleigh, N.C.
- Andrew Bath, junior government and criminal justice double major, Niagara Falls, N.Y.
Firearms Team – 3rd place
- Chad Butrick, Daniel Sangaree, and Nikki Wilson, senior criminal justice major from Cabot, Ark.
Physical Agility Obstacle Course
- Kaylee Nelson, senior criminal justice major, Eden Prairie, Minn. – 1st place, women 25 years of age and under
- Andrew Bath – 2nd place, men 25 years of age and under
Professional Division
Firearms Team Competition
- Bob Cirtin – 2nd place
Physical Agility Obstacle Course
- Bob Cirtin – 2nd place, men 36 years of age and up
- Chad Butrick – 2nd place, men ages 26 to 35
Help us Find Graduates
We are continually searching for graduates to find out where they are and what they are doing.
Please check the list of graduates on the criminal justice website and if someone is missing, please email us to let us know how to contact them.