Students and faculty advisors from Trine University’s Tau Alpha Omicron (TAO) chapter
of the American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA—Lambda Alpha Epsilon) hosted an
appreciation dinner for local military veterans and law enforcement officers and their
families this past weekend.
Members of the Trine chapter raised funds by sending a group of students to work a
weekend at Cedar Point Amusement Park. They chose to utilize part of these funds to
host the appreciation dinner as a way of thanking those who have served our country
and the local community. Since this was the first time for the event, the students
wanted to keep the attendee list to a small number, and were excited to have so many
in attendance.
On Sunday, Nov. 11, TAO members were able to sit down to a dinner in Club Z donated
in part by Bon Apettit Management Company and listen to the guests’ experience in
the military and or law enforcement. The dinner opened with the Pledge of Allegiance
and a prayer of thanks for all veterans. Griffin Watson, a sophomore criminal Justice
student, shared with guests about the different events and activities in which the
TAO chapter has participated.
The following individuals attended:
1st Sergeant Brad Kline—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy William Lanoue—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office
Trooper Matthew Gillmore—West Virginia State Police
1st Sergeant Mark Heffelfinger—Indiana State Police
Trooper Aaron Myer—Indiana State Police
Thomas Lothamer—United States Marine Corps veteran
Corporal Kenneth Watson—United States Army and grandfather of Griffin Watson
Myron Wentworth—United States Army
Prof. Michael Hess—former Michigan deputy and former Steuben County Prosecutor
Others who were honored but were called to duty as the dinner began:
Corporal Tony Tribble—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Andrew Amos—Steuben County Sheriff’s Office
More photos from the event are available on SmugMug.
Photos: Top, local veterans and law enforcement officers enjoy a dinner with students and
faculty advisors from Trine University's Tau Alpha Omicron (TAO) chapter of the American
Criminal Justice Association. The dinner was held Sunday in Club Z inside the MTI
Center on the Trine campus. At right, members of Trine University's Tau Alpha Omicron
(TAO) chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association hosted a dinner for veterans
and law enforcement officers Sunday in Club Z.
