Message From the Chair

Fall 2018

Welcome to Criminal Justice News!

The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology continues to be a place of energy, activity, hard work, and success!

Recently, one of our alumni, Special Agent Craig Bowling, visited the Pullman campus and talked with students about his diverse experiences in Homeland Security Investigations. Thanks to his generosity, we were honored and grateful also to be able to offer the first Bowling scholarship to one of our outstanding undergraduates, Morelia Maravilla.

Among our dedicated faculty, Craig Hemmens, Nick Lovrich, David Makin, John Snyder, Mary Stohr, and Dale Willits are advancing their NIJ-funded research on the effects of marijuana legalization—a topic that is timely and of significant public interest.

In partnership with the Washington State Institute for Criminal Justice, WSU researchers continue to provide valuable services to state and county agencies as well, and our graduate students are gaining useful research experience working on these projects.

Our graduate program remains strong, with students finding consistent success on the job market. Maintaining the momentum, Zach Hamilton, our incoming graduate program director, and the Graduate Studies Committee continue to improve our program and develop even greater opportunities for students.

Our undergraduates also are making the most of diverse opportunities for hands-on learning. Criminal justice and criminology students are participating in cutting-edge work, receiving training in monitoring of CCTV footage, and analyzing police body cam footage. They are increasingly conducting their own research and presenting their work in SURCA (WSU’s venue for undergraduate research and creative activities), participating in internships, and preparing for our study abroad to London in the spring.

Craig Hemmens will take a well-deserved research sabbatical this spring after serving as department chair for four years. Mary Stohr will take a research sabbatical this year as well. We look forward to the new knowledge that will come from their sabbaticals—and to an exciting national meeting in March of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, with Faith Lutze working hard as the academy president.

Until then, we wish everyone a happy holiday season and a productive new year!

Christine Horne
Interim Chair