Standing room only crowd for National Criminal Justice Month lecture

Mark Curriden making his presentation in LIB 307.

Mark Curriden, author, lawyer, and Writer in Residence at SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, spoke to over 150 students, faculty, and staff on Tuesday, March 29.

His presentation was the compelling story of the lynching of an innocent black man accused of the rape of a young white woman in 1906 Tennessee, the court trial, the appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, and the long-lasting impact of these events on the U.S. justice system.

The story is chronicled in his book, Contempt of Court: The Turn-of-the-Century Lynching That Launched One Hundred Years of Federalism.

This lecture was the closing event for the Justice Center's program of events for the 2011 National Criminal Justice Month.

Alpha Phi Sigma national criminal justice honor society induction March 30

Eighteen Justice majors will be inducted into the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Omega Xi Chapter, on Wednesday, March 30 at 6:00 p.m. at the Justice Center. To be selected for Alpha Phi, students must maintain a 3.2 overall cumulative GPA and 3.2 GPA in their Justice major.

Dr. Marny Rivera, faculty advisor, will moderate the ceremony and present certificates and pins to the new members. A reception follows.

2011 inductees:
1. Coleman Alguire
2. Sy Bulaong Ramirez
3. Seth Bowen*
4. John Croughen
5. David Crozier
6. Jeremy Holmes
7. Ezekiel Kaufman
8. Heather MacAlpine
9. Travis Marquiss*
10. Jonathan Martin
11. Sarah Park*
12. Jacob Ruebelmann*
13. Kelly Sandlin*
14. Kaitlin Simenson
15. Jolene Stracuzzi
16. Isabell Wilkinson
17. Ailee Wood
18. Kelsey Waldorf

*Spring 2011 graduates.

Alpha Phi Sigma is the only National Criminal Justice Honor Society for Criminal Justice Majors. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students of criminal justice, as well as those awarded a juris doctorate.

Two Justice majors present at Student Showcase 2011

Heather MacAlpine and Ezekiel Kaufman, Justice majors and research assistants for Justice faculty member Dr. Brad Myrstol, have been selected to make presentations for the 2011 UAA Student Showcase on Thursday, April 7 at the Student Union.

Heather MacAlpine will present "Alaskans' Lands: A Native Alaskan's Perspective"; this paper was originally written for English 214: Persuasive Writing. Ezekiel Kaufman will present "Race-Based Perceptions of Judges," originally developed for Justice 201: Justice Data Analysis.

The UAA Student Showcase Program highlights the extraordinary work of students throughout the University of Alaska Anchorage system. Awards for top papers and projects include publication in the 2011 Student Showcase Journal and a $300 cash prize.

Now in its 27th year, Student Showcase creates an opportunity for dialogue among university and community members. Students submit their best work and an anonymous review is done by a faculty member of the submission discipline. Works receiving the highest marks are presented at the Conference. Distinguished community members are invited to the event to evaluate, critique, and comment on students' works.

"Contempt of Court" author speaks March 29 for National Criminal Justice Month

Join us for this lecture in honor of National Criminal Justice Month:

Mark Curriden, J.D., will discuss his book, Contempt of Court: The Turn-of-the Century Lynching That Launched a Hundred Years of Federalism, about the 1906 lynching of a falsely accused black defendant while his execution was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307

The program is free and open to UAA students, staff, and faculty.

This case changed forever the justice system in the United States. Mr. Curriden describes the legal, social, and political importance of the case, and its significance in American history. His presentation includes audience question and answer.

Mr. Curriden is the former legal affairs writer for The Dallas Morning News, and is now Writer in Residence at SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas, and a senior writer for the American Bar Association Journal.

Justice Club events for National Criminal Justice Month

March is National Criminal Justice Month. Join Justice Club for two events this week:

Third World Human Rights
Wednesday, March 23, 7:30–9:30 PM
SSB 118

Lecture: Attorney Bert Hoak discusses his experience working with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia, and highlights other human rights organizations. Mr. Hoak received his J.D. from Ave Maria School of Law with an emphasis on international law, human rights, labor law, and arbitration.

Lunch with Assistant District Attorney Adam Alexander and Assistant Public Defender Mike Schwaiger
Friday, March 25, 1:00 PM
LIB 207B

Lunch is provided. There are only a few spaces let for this event.You must RSVP to abjustice@uaa.alaska.edu to confirm if space is available.

For more information about the Justice Club, see the Justice Club home page.

"Inherit the Wind" screens March 24 for National Criminal Justice Month

March is National Criminal Justice Month. Join us for the UAA Justice Center National Criminal Justice Month Film Festival!

Co-sponsored with the Office of Counsel U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.*

"Inherit the Wind"
A dramatization of the Scopes trial on the teaching of evolution. Film and discussion.
Thursday, March 24, 6:30 -8:30 p.m.
Change of Location: Rasmuson Hall 117

The film is free and open to UAA students, staff, faculty, and the public.

* Disclaimer: Advertisements, promotions, statements and logos are those of UAA or other organizations participating in this event. The United States Army neither states nor implies any endorsement, association or recommendation with regard to these organizations.

National Criminal Justice Month Film Festival starts March 17

March is National Criminal Justice Month. Join us for the UAA Justice Center National Criminal Justice Month Film Festival!

Co-sponsored with the Office of Counsel U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.*

"Scottsboro: An American Tragedy"
The story of nine black teenagers wrongly convicted of rape. Film and discussion.
Thursday, March 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
UAA/APU Consortium Library, LIB 307

"Inherit the Wind"
A dramatization of the Scopes trial on the teaching of evolution.
Film and discussion.
Thursday, March 24, 6:30 -8:30 p.m.
Change of location: Rasmuson Hall 117

Films are free and open to UAA students, staff, faculty, and the public.

* Disclaimer: Advertisements, promotions, statements and logos are those of UAA or other organizations participating in this event. The United States Army neither states nor implies any endorsement, association or recommendation with regard to these organizations.

Prof. Periman assists with youth & law guide

Prof. Deb Periman, Justice faculty, is chair of the drafting subcommittee for a youth and the law guide to be published by the Alaska Bar Association Law Related Education (LRE) Committee. This project is being developed to inform Alaska youth ages 12-18 about their legal rights.

The working title for the publication is "Youth and the Law: A Survival Guide," and will cover the legal system and rights and responsibilities of youth.

The LRE Committee is made up of Alaska Bar members and Alaska educators.

Justice Center closed Friday, March 11 for spring break

The Justice Center will be closed Friday, March 11, 2011 for Spring Break. We will re-open on Monday, March 14 at 8:00 a.m.

Daylight Saving Time starts Sunday, March 13 - remember to set your clocks forward one hour.

Dr. Rosay, Katie TePas & Commissioner Masters update D.C. agencies on Alaska Victimization Survey

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director; Katie TePas, Special Assistant to Governor Sean Parnell; and Commissioner Joe Masters, Alaska Department of Public Safety met with representatives from federal agencies this week to present an update on the Alaska Victimization Survey and the Governor's Initiative to end the epidemic of domestic violence and sexual assault in Alaska. Dr. Rosay, Ms. TePas, and Commissioner Masters have worked collaboratively to significantly impact policy and practice to reduce violence against women in Alaska.

The Alaska group presented to over 20 federal agency representatives during a visit to Washington, D.C. coordinated by Leslie Hagen, National Indian Country Training Coordinator, U.S. Department of Justice. The group also met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs). The representatives included Gena Tyner-Dawson, Executive Director, Justice Programs Council on Native American Affairs & Senior Tribal Advisor, Office of Justice Programs; Dr. John Laub, Director, National Institute of Justice; Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs; and Darren Cruzan, Deputy Bureau Director, Office of Justice Services. The Alaska group also met with John Katz in Governor Sean Parnell's Washington, D.C. Office and with Senator Lisa Murkowski and her staff.

Dr. Chamard honored by Anchorage Municipal Assembly

Assembly Vice-Chair Patrick Flynn
and Dr. Sharon Chamard.

The Anchorage Municipal Assembly has proclaimed March 10, 2011, "Dr. Sharon Chamard Day," in recognition of her work with the Fairview Community Council and her outstanding community service to a variety of projects and organizations in Anchorage.

Dr. Chamard, Justice faculty, is recognized in the municipal resolution for her leadership as president of the Fairview Community Council, her exceptional community volunteerism, and for her assistance in her professional capacity at the Justice Center to the Anchorage Police Department and the Community Action Policing (CAP) team.

Front row - Dr. Sharon Chamard with proclamation; Celeste Benson, Fairview Community Council (FCC) past president; Christopher Constant, FCC member-at-large. Back row - Nan Mundy, FCC member-at-large; Darrel Hess, Municipality of Anchorage Homeless Coordinator and former FCC president; Paul Benson, FCC member-at-large.

Prof. Brandeis assists with constitutional conversations

Prof. Jason Brandeis, Justice faculty, is a member of the organizing committee for the ongoing "Alaska Constitutional Conversations Salon Series" sponsored by the Institute of the North and the Anchorage Public Library. This monthly event brings together policy experts, community leaders, and citizens for an informal discussion about and exploration of the Alaska constitution.

The series runs through May 2011 and is held the third Tuesday of the month from 5:30 -6:30 p.m. at the Loussac Library. Upcoming topics include March 15 -"Subsistence," April 19 - "Sourdoughs vs. Cheechakos," and May 17 - "Alaska Constitution 2.0."

The program will begin again in September 2011 and run through May 2012.

Dr. Chamard interviewed by ADN about crime statistics

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice faculty, was interviewed by the Anchorage Daily News about the release of preliminary 2010 crime statistics by the FBI, "Early data indicate a 2010 crime decline in Anchorage." She noted that any decrease in violent offenses is the most meaningful indicator.

Click here for the complete report, "Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report, January - June, 2010."

Evaluation of first Alaska Victim Assistance Academy completed

Khristy Parker, Justice Center research professional, assisted the Alaska Victim Assistance Academy/Victims for Justice with the preparation of the evaluation report on the 2010 Alaska Victim Assistance Academy held last May. This event was the first victim assistance academy held in Alaska. Plans are underway for a 2011 academy to be conducted May 15-20 in Anchorage.

Alaska Victimization Survey cited in Associated Press article

The 2010 Alaska Victimization Survey by the Justice Center was cited in a recent Associated Press article, "Domestic violence grants aid services," which appeared in the Anchorage Daily News and the Juneau Empire on March 7, 2011.

Dr. Rosay honored at "Top 40 under 40" awards lunch

Dr. Rosay (right) receives his award from
Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan

Dr. André Rosay, Justice Center Director, was among the honorees recognized for their outstanding contributions to the community at the "Top 40 under 40" awards luncheon on March 3, 2011. Other UAA honorees include Monica Kane, Assistant Provost, Office of Academic Affairs, and Dr. Robert Capuozzo, Assistant Professor for Early Childhood Education, College of Education.

The "Top 40 under 40" is sponsored by the Alaska Journal of Commerce.

In the photo below, UAA honorees and adminstrators (left to right): Dr. Mary Snyder, Dean, College of Education; Dr. Cheryl Easley, Dean, College of Health & Social Welfare; honoree Dr. André Rosay, Director, Justice Center; honoree Monica Kane, Assistant Provost, Office of Academic Affairs; Dr. Mike Driscoll, Provost and Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs; honoree Dr. Robert Capuozzo, Assistant Professor for Early Childhood Education, College of Education; Dr. Claudia Clark, Interim Associate Dean, College of Business & Public Policy; Dr. Susan Kaplan, Associate Dean, College of Health & Social Welfare; and Dr. Will Jacobs, Professor Emeritus, Assistant to the Provost.

Dr. Chamard awarded Kids' Corps grant for Head Start community assessment

Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice faculty, was recently awarded a grant by Kids' Corps, an Anchorage-based Head Start agency. Dr. Chamard will assist with a community assessment by collecting demographic data on Anchorage in general, and on children and families eligible for participation in Head Start.

A community assessment is conducted every three years and includes community demographics and descriptions of the clients directly served.

Justice Center holds events for National Criminal Justice Month

The Justice Center is holding three events during March in celebration of National Criminal Justice Month.

National Criminal Justice Month Lecture:

Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., LIB 307

Mark Curriden, J.D., discusses his book, Contempt of Court: The Turn-of-the Century Lynching that Launched a Hundred Years of Federalism, about the 1906 lynching of a falsely accused black defendant while his execution was stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court. The program is on Tuesday, March 29, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. in the UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307, and is free and open to UAA students, staff, and faculty.

This case changed forever the justice system in the United States. Mr. Curriden describes the legal, social, and political importance of the case, and its significance in American history. His presentation includes audience question and answer.

Mr. Curriden is the former legal affairs writer for The Dallas Morning News, and is now Writer in Residence at SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas, and a senior writer for the American Bar Association Journal.

National Criminal Justice Month Film Festival:

Thursday, March 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., LIB 307
"Scottsboro: An American Tragedy" - the story of nine black teenagers wrongly convicted of rape. Film presentation and discussion.

Thursday, March 24, 6:30 -8:30 p.m., LIB 307
"Inherit the Wind" - a dramatization of the Scopes trial on the teaching of evolution.
Films are free and open to students, staff, faculty, and the public.

Film Festival co-sponsored with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Office of Counsel

(Disclaimer: Advertisements, promotions, statements and logos are those of UAA or other organizations participating in this event. The United States Army neither states nor implies any endorsement, association or recommendation with regard to these organizations.)

March is National Criminal Justice Month

Contact anbaa@uaa.alaska.edu for more information on these events.