“This group of seniors has really impressed me with their evolution over the past four years,” said Adam Jack, chairperson for the Criminal Justice and Social Sciences Department at Waynesburg University. 

Jack teaches a course that all criminal justice majors take as freshmen, as well as their senior capstone course.

“It is really rewarding to see how they have grown intellectually, spiritually and socially over their time at WU,” Jack said.

Jack said this unique year was marked by cancelled or postponed opportunities in both internships and employment sectors.   

“Although they were disappointed, I think that they all learned a lot about themselves the past year, especially their own resiliency and their ability to accept the things that they cannot change,” Jack said.

Over the past year, the class of 2021 did not have the luxury of the traditional Criminal Justice Job/Internship Fair on campus, so they connected with employers through Thursday virtual sessions.  

Due to this year and all of its differing attributes, Jack would like to recognize the entire group of seniors, with emphasis on junior Jalen Koontz, and seniors Isaiah Skeete and Claire Wherthey.  

 Skeete, criminal justice major and accounting minor, toured Waynesburg University December of his senior year in high school and decided to come based on the merits of the criminal justice program, as well as the genuine community on-campus.

“I have never experienced something like that, and I just felt at home,” Skeete said. “I felt that this was a place I could really succeed. If I could do it again, I’d do it so many times over.”

Skeete said his senior year, due to the pandemic, led to a lack of community that drove him to be more intentional in conversation and maintenance of friendships.

“It was hard at first, but when we all got into the swing of things it got easier, and I was very happy we all got to stay on-campus this year,” Skeete said. “I think the administration and students have done a phenomenal job in keeping us here.”

Skeete wants to thank all of his criminal justice professors for being instrumental mentors in his learning process. 

After graduation, Skeete will be continuing his masters of criminal investigation degree at Waynesburg, as well as his MBA in human resources. He will also be the Graduate Assistant for Student Services and begin a part-time position in Washington, Pennsylvania.

“I will be monitoring those on house arrest, doing drug tests etc.,” Skeete explained. “I’m so excited for my first firsthand experience for my career. I’m ecstatic.”

Claire Wherthy, criminal justice major and criminal justice club president with a minor in psychology, said she will miss the campus of Waynesburg and the community within.

“It’s bittersweet. Bitter in the fact that I’ve enjoyed my time here at Waynesburg and it’s coming to an end, and sweet that in these four years I’ve worked so hard for this moment and it’s finally paying off,” Wherthy said.

Wherthy was also drawn to the University for the quality of the criminal justice program.

“We have renowned staff teaching us, and they’re not teaching from the book but have actual experiences,” Wherthy said.

Wherthy said she will always appreciate the hands-on approach of the department in terms of being applicable for jobs and the memories it brought.

“We’ve practiced field sobriety and parked a car out back, practiced traffic stops and talking to people,” Wherthy said. “I got an internship my summer before junior year, and I don’t think many other places offer that experience that WU brought to me.”

Wherthy plans to keep studying at Waynesburg and obtain her masters degree in criminal investigation, in which she is dual-enrolled right now. She has dreams of working for the Department of Homeland Security investigating and combatting human trafficking. 

“A huge thank you to staff for a memorable and worth it four years, especially having them as mentors,” Wherthy said. “I would encourage the students to stick with the program, and I really don’t think they are going to get a better experience anywhere than at WU.”

Jalen Koontz, junior criminal justice major, said the class of 2021 has really set an example for him.

“I’m in the capstone criminal justice course. I haven’t seen anyone complain about the circumstances,” Koontz said. “They’ve really just been positive and helped each other out.”

Koontz said that during his freshman year, senior criminal justice major Aaron Sielski and Skeete soon became his buddies, as well as Wherthy.

“Isaiah has always been an outgoing guy, he’s always been willing to give me advice and to prepare me for classes I am going to take,” Koontz said. “All of the criminal justice students here are really great and everybody’s like minded and passionate and willing to help each other out and bring each other up rather than competing with one another. We all just want to see each other succeed. I think that’s the biggest thing they have demonstrated.”

Jack said to always keep in mind that everybody is struggling with something that you know nothing about and that is how he has prepared his students.

“This is the next generation of lawyers, police officers, social workers, corrections officers, etc., so treat every person with the care and respect that you would want your family member treated with,” Jack said. “Common sense and kindness will take you a long way in life.”

This article along with many others are included in the 2021 Commencement Issue of The Yellow Jacket. The full print layout version can be viewed here.