Friday Feature • University Police

Friday, November 3, 2023

Even before Thanksgiving arrives, we should all thank University Police for their service to protect us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year.

This week, I want to recognize the heroic job that our University Police performs on our campus. 

Our University Police are not only here to protect and serve, but they are part of our community and family. You will see them not only patrolling the campus, but you can expect them at our community gatherings and engaging our students in meetings and their events.

For example, recently Chief of Police Jeff Wilcox and myself were invited to speak at the Student Senate. Chief Wilcox was so very engaging with students, answering their questions and providing them with tips and information on all the ways that his crew is there to support them.

On a personal level, my son Quinn and I were playing basketball in the gym and bumped into an Officer Histed doing his rounds up in Orvis. He took the time to say hello and shot a few baskets with us. Not too shabby!

Our officers even take part in our social events, like when Officer Mark took Santa into custody. Apparently, he didn’t register his reindeer to have them on campus! And of course, you can always count on them being present at our games, open houses, graduation, and other large events helping our visitors into and out of campus so they can have the most enjoyable visit possible.

My wife, Melissa, dropped off some treats to them as one way the Mauro family can say thank you for their instant availability when they are called upon. I hope you will also join me in finding ways to thank them when you see them circulating about campus.