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 War. He was told he … [Read more...]
After serious accident, UNK senior Robert Messbarger ready to serve others
By TYLER ELLYSON UNK Communications KEARNEY – Robert Messbarger doesn’t remember the accident that nearly claimed his life. It was March 10, 2015, and the University of Nebraska at Kearney student, then a freshman, was heading to his parents’ home north of Kearney. As his 2001 Nissan pickup slowed along Highway 10 to make the turn onto West 92nd Street, the vehicle was struck from behind by a semitrailer hauling a backhoe. That collision pushed his pickup into the southbound lane, … [Read more...]
UNK Criminal Justice Conference: Police tactical expert Frisz focuses on civil unrest
By TODD GOTTULA UNK Communications KEARNEY – Veteran police officer, tactical operations and drug enforcement expert Kurt Frisz is the keynote speaker at the Criminal Justice Conference at University of Nebraska at Kearney. Frisz served 30 years with the St. Louis County (Mo.) Police Department and currently is chief of police for the Wentzville (Mo.) Police Department. His talk, “Police Response to Civil Unrest,” is at 9:15 a.m. Monday (Oct. 2) at UNK’s Ponderosa Room in the Nebraskan … [Read more...]
Terrorism class studies police reaction times, weapon use
By SARA GIBONEY, UNK Communications KEARNEY – University of Nebraska at Kearney students are learning firsthand how stressful a police officer’s job can be in a potentially lethal situation. Inside a UNK classroom recently, red lights flashed on targets set up against a dry erase board. Students, lined up in the front of the classroom, raised laser pistols and shot at the targets. “When the target’s light comes on, it represents the short time an officer has to make a decision as to … [Read more...]
Prison Attitudes: Wulf-Ludden studies relationships, violence among inmates
By TODD GOTTULA UNK Communications She spends her time in small, nondescript rooms. Where white – gray if you’re lucky – is the color of choice. And the air is different inside. This place, with its cement floors, protective glass and stainless steel in every direction, is where Timbre Wulf-Ludden’s research takes her. Inside prison walls across the Midwest. In front of hardened criminals. Analyzing a social system and prison culture that few on the outside have experienced or … [Read more...]
