Hi, I became involved at Bethany College as an adjunct instructor in 1978, teaching some four different classes which supported other fields of study. I was employed at the time as the Director of Court Services for the 28th Judicial District Court in Salina Kansas.
While in College at McPherson College, McPherson Kansas, I was unsure what field I wanted to work in; however I knew it had to deal with “people”. I started working at the McPherson Sheriffs Office as an office deputy, dispatcher, and jailer while attending school. Then I had the opportunity to work as the Marshal of Marquette Kansas which I did until I had graduated from college. I had also worked in the McPherson County Court system as an intern for the Probation Office and that seemed to be my calling.
I obtained employment as the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer in Saline County Kansas in June, 1973 after graduating from college with a double B.A. degree in psychology and sociology.
In 1975 I began studies for a Masters Degree in Administration of Justice at Wichita State University in Wichita Kansas. I completed my studies in 1978, and began teaching at Bethany College.
I was promoted to Director of Court Services in 1978, and later was promoted to District Court Administrator for the 28th Judicial District Court were I remained until my full time teaching position came available in August 2005.
While employed with the judicial branch of government, I was involved in the following;
Served on the St. Francis Board of Directors;
Was elected President twice of the Kansas Association of Court Services Officers;
Assisted in development of an interdisciplinary Investigation team to investigate child abuse cases and received national acclaim from the National Association of District Attorneys as well as the Federal department of health and Welfare;
Served on committees for the Kansas Supreme Court for court
E-filing, as well as court technology.
I headed a committee to develop standards for court recording machines to record court proceedings;
I have also provided educational classes at Old Trooper University at Fort Riley; Kansas Highway Patrol on Juvenile Justice, Saline County Sheriffs office on Stalkers and Batters.
I teach classes with the main focus on police, probation and administration as well as the class on Criminology and Delinquency. I enjoy seeing students benefit from my 36 years of work in the criminal justice system as I show students the real world as it applies to today’s criminal justice field.
I am married to Sandy, have three children (all girls) four grandchildren. In my past time I like to golf, hike in the mountains of Colorado, trail bikes, roller blades, and work around the house.
I hope to see you soon at Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas, where you too can become a "SWEDE," till then, J.
