By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Less than two months ago, Jazmin Matias-Trejo was lying in a hospital bed, her future plans seemingly put on hold. Instead of enjoying the last few weeks of summer break before returning to the University of Nebraska at Kearney, the 19-year-old was wondering whether she’d survive. “I can’t believe this is happening,” the Wood River native thought to herself as she prepared for the first of two surgeries to remove a … [Read more...] about Two brain surgeries won’t slow down UNK’s Jazmin Matias-Trejo
Criminal Justice
From military to education, Carlson’s career about caring for students, people
Joseph “Joe” R. Carlson, Jr. Job Title: Professor of Criminal Justice Years at UNK: 26 (1993-2019); Served as chair of the Department of Criminal justice from 2000-07 Education: Bachelor of Arts in law enforcement and political science, Brigham Young University, 1973; Master of Business Administration, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, 1977; Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi, 1986. Family: Wife of 48 years, Pam; Daughters Shandy Vogt and Katherine … [Read more...] about From military to education, Carlson’s career about caring for students, people
After 30-year career, former Hall County Sheriff Jerry Watson finishing degree at UNK
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Jerry Watson had a decision to make. The 62-year-old former Hall County sheriff could have stepped away from law enforcement, slowed down and eased his way into retirement after losing his re-election bid last May. He certainly considered the option during a period of soul-searching. “Do I hit the brakes or do I hit the gas pedal?” Watson asked himself. “I decided, you know what, I’m hitting the gas pedal, and I don’t care … [Read more...] about After 30-year career, former Hall County Sheriff Jerry Watson finishing degree at UNK
Former Kearney police officer Harshbarger brings real-world experience to UNK classrooms
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – When a 22-year-old man armed with a sawed-off shotgun took numerous customers and employees hostage inside a downtown Kearney bank, Kyle Harshbarger was the commander in charge of a local SWAT team that responded to the incident. After 2 1/2 hours of negotiations, the suspect surrendered to police and nobody was injured during the ordeal. Four years later, Harshbarger was head of criminal investigations for Kearney … [Read more...] about Former Kearney police officer Harshbarger brings real-world experience to UNK classrooms
UNK hosting 30th annual Criminal Justice Conference; Three featured presenters
KEARNEY – The 30th annual Criminal Justice Conference is scheduled for Oct. 1 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The conference, founded by the late Jim Gilbert, a former law enforcement officer and longtime criminal justice professor at UNK, brings several hundred students, professionals and community members to the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room to hear from a variety of speakers. “This conference gives us an opportunity to bring in nationally … [Read more...] about UNK hosting 30th annual Criminal Justice Conference; Three featured presenters
