BETHANY PROFESSOR PARTICIPATES IN OXFORD ROUND TABLE 

LINDSBORG, Kan.— Dave Admire, associate professor of criminal justice and criminal justice department chair at Bethany College, participated in the Oxford Round Table at Oxford University in England March 26-31. This session of the Oxford Round Table, held at Oxford’s Pembroke College, focused on criminal justice.

            The purpose of the Oxford Round Table, which began in 1989, is to promote human advancement and understanding through the improvement of education. The Oxford Round Table provides a forum for the study and consideration of current issues facing state and national systems of education.  Each session is comprised of a small group of leaders selected from both the public and private sectors of several countries.

            Admire was told he was chosen through the referrals of others in the criminal justice field.

            “It was a fascinating experience because of the breadth of knowledge of the participants,” Admire said. He added that although the presentations were brief they were commented on by all present and discussed by the participants throughout the day and night.  

            Admire presented his article “Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorder: A New Approach for the Criminal Justice System.”  Admire’s research argues that “while learning disabilities and ADD(attention deficit disorder) have been a major source of concern for juveniles in the criminal justice system, these issues have not been a source of concern or attention in the adult criminal justice system.”

            His article presents statistical evidence explaining the cost incurred to society and the criminal justice system by ignoring these issues.  Also, Admire discusses a program he has developed to reduce incarceration costs as well as reap “the benefits of the lost potential of those incarcerated.”  In practice, this program has “consistently reduced recidivism by 40 percent.”

            Admire joined more than 50 other professionals from across the United States during the five-day gathering to discuss a variety of topics, including terrorism, drug abuse, domestic violence and gang behavior. 

            Before joining the Bethany faculty in 2005, Admire served for 22 years as a district court judge in King County, Wash., as presiding judge of the East Division. Previously, Admire was a prosecutor and defense attorney.  He also was an adjunct professor in the criminal justice department at Seattle University from 1977 to 1997. 

Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service.

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