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
Criminal Justice
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
RETIRING: Longtime criminal justice professor Kurt Siedschlaw took long road to UNK
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Kurt Siedschlaw was far from a model student when he started college. He was on academic probation twice in his first two years at the University of South Dakota and almost flunked out. “I didn’t know what I wanted,” said Siedschlaw, who was advised by his high school guidance counselor to join the military instead of attending college, but decided the university was a better first option than serving in the Vietnam … [Read more...] about RETIRING: Longtime criminal justice professor Kurt Siedschlaw took long road to UNK
