Truman Experience
Donald Snyder, a graduate from May of 1997, states..."I immediately began my career with the City of Overland Park, Kansas Police Department. This department has very high expectations of its Officers. The education I received from Truman State had a lot to do with making the transition from college to the “Real World” much easier.
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Donald Snyder |
Truman teaches a student to really think through a problem. Several of my projects were group projects that required you to use a team philosophy. I found it comforting to have professors in the Justice Systems division who actually had the real world experience in different aspects of Law Enforcement teaching a class. All of my professors had experience in either local law enforcement, federal law enforcement, forensics, juvenile system, corrections, or actual lawyers who had court room experience. When you put this all together, the knowledge one gains from knowledgeable professors added with a high standard in the curriculum is immeasurable.
Another strong point I found in the Justice Systems major was the idea of doing an Internship. This by far was the best experience I had. Simply put, the Internship actually helps you know if you are getting into the right career path. That is what my internship did for me.
I did not learn how to handcuff, drive in a pursuit, or take control of suspects using pressure point tactics from Truman State. That is what a Police Academy is for. What I did learn was how to think and work through a problem. I got the knowledge needed to hold myself to a higher standard, regardless of what field I have chosen."
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I highly praise Truman for its exuberant faculty as well as its ability to bring culture from around the world to further enrich its student’s lives. What I really appreciated about Truman was that it was large enough for me to meet a new face almost every day, but cozy enough for me to nourish enriching friendships that will last a lifetime.
The faculty and administration love and encourage the students, and you can really tell. From the moment I decided to change my major to Justice Systems during my Sophomore year, I received constant support and dedication for all of my work in my various courses. The Professors’ doors were always open. I remember taking a tour of prison facilities with Professor Davenport, then advisor of Lamda Alpha Epsilon Criminal Justice Fraternity; as well as participating in various clothing and food drives with Professor Cooley, then advisor of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
Yet, probably the most forecasting moment in my time at Truman was sitting in Dr. Eichor’s office going over my schedule for my final semester. After a brief review of my tentative schedule, and a discussion as to my future plans - he looked right at me and asked me if I had ever considered law school. Long story short (3 years plus a Bar later), I never would have considered law school if it was not for Dr. Eichor and the tremendous information, knowledge and support I gained from my time at Truman.
When it was all said and done, I received an academic scholarship to enter the Fall 1999 class at Saint Louis University School of Law and graduated in May of 2002; I thereafter clerked for the late Honorable Lawrence G. Crahan of the Missouri Court of Appeals, and am now a practicing attorney at one of the largest firms in St. Louis among several colleagues who also haled from Truman State University. Truman doesn’t just graduate its students; it propels them to new heights they never would have imagined possible.
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Dave Carlton |
Dave Carlton, a recent graduate states, " I was a little worried about graduating in December of 2001, just months after the terrorists attacks of 911. Yet, I speak with confidence when I say that Truman State’s rich tradition of academic excellence helped me land my first job as a Loss Prevention Investigator at Neiman Marcus. TSU not only provided me with a top of the line education, but also honed the skills necessary to succeed in the private security sector.
TSU offers students the opportunity to explore endless career possibilities as a Justice Systems Major. Thinking about a career in corrections? Visit Mt. Pleasant’s Correctional Facility in Professor Cooley’s Rehabilitation Course. Want to work with kids? Develop youth programs at the Bruce Normile Juvenile Justice Center along side Instructor Lynn Van Dolah. You can get a piece of paper after four years of hard work at any school. However, if you are looking for a hands-on education that prepares you for the real world, then Truman is your choice."