TSU-News-CJcompetition

Tri-State University students and professors participating in the American Criminal Justice Association regional competition in Big Rapids, Mich. Nov. 2-4 are, from left, front: Sara Miles, Rebecca Claus, Amber Michaels, professor John Milliken, Jessica Vanderklok, Carly Naki, and Ashley Williamson. Back: Alison Bonham, Kyle Perkins, Hezekiah Hickok, Zechariah Ackerman, Corey Cox , Jason White, and professor Craig Laker.

Tri-State University’s American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA) Tau Alpha Omicron chapter topped its previous records at the ACJA Region 6 conference in Big Rapids, Mich. Nov. 2-4, bringing home TSU’s first-ever Top Gun in handgun competition.

TSU junior Corey Cox hit the target with his best shot for a score of 426 of 480 points, good for the Top Gun award for the highest scorer in the upper division for juniors and seniors. TSU’s Zechariah Ackerman earned 334 points for first place in the lower division for freshmen and sophomores. Craig Laker, chairman of the criminal justice, psychology, and social science departments and assistant professor and TSU TAO chapter co-adviser John Milliken placed second and third, respectively, in the professional division for those working or educating in the field of criminal justice.

Tri-State University’s Corey Cox, left, earned the Top Gun award for the best score in the upper division handgun competition at the American Criminal Justice Association regional competition in Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 2-4. TSU’s Zechariah Ackerman placed first in handgun in the lower division for freshmen and sophomores.

TSU also scored its best ever in crime scene investigation, according to Laker. In that competition, the TSU three-member team of Alison Bonham, Laker and Milliken placed first, while TSU’s Carly Naki, Jeffery Willis, and Hezekiah Hickok took third.

Ackerman placed first in physical agility for men under age 25, and Sara Miles placed first for women under age 25, while Kyle Perkins placed second for men under age 25.

In 75-question written exams on criminal law, corrections, and juvenile justice, Miles took second and Cox third place in the upper division; Jessica Vanderklok placed first in the lower division; and Milliken placed first and Laker second in the professional division for criminal law.

In corrections, Rebecca Claus placed second in the upper division, Vanderklok placed second in the lower division and Laker placed second in the professional division. For juvenile justice testing, Vanderklol and Amber Michaels placed second and third in the lower division and Laker placed second in the professional division.

Laker, Milliken, and 13 TSU students competed against five other colleges and universities for the awards. “In the eight years I have attend the regional ACJA conferences, this is the best we have done in crime scene investigation and handgun competition,” Laker said. “John and I are very proud of our students, and we are looking forward to the national ACJA conference in Kansas City, Mo. in April 2008.”