GREETINGS

       Hi! My name is Teresa Gantz and I’m a senior from Glenville, Pennsylvania, just a few miles from the Mason-Dixon line. I’m a Criminal Justice major with a minor in Spanish and a designation of Pre-law.

       For the past three years, the professors of the Criminal Justice Department have helped me through the first steps I need to take in order to become a lawyer. My major has allowed me to take classes not only in criminal justice, but in political science, philosophy, psychology, and sociology. Each of these classes has allowed me to think critically and analyze the most prevalent issues in today’s society, including the death penalty, crimes during war, and the rights of citizens following landmark legislation. I’m a part of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and outside the classroom I am the work-study student for the Criminal Justice Department as well as captain of the cheerleading squad.

       The best part about the Criminal Justice Department is that it has encouraged me to take my classroom experience to the next level. I’ve participated in SWAT team trainings with the local police department, role-played as a terrorist for the PA State Police, and even spent the summer working for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority at Reagan-Washington National Airport, where I examined general liability cases, workers’ compensation, and even worked to settle the remaining September 11th lawsuits. During my last semester at “Lyco” I’ll be interning with the Williamsport District Attorney’s Office and working with Dr. Kurtz to publish research I started in his Research Methods class.

       Academically, I couldn’t have asked for more in my past three years. My professors have been scholars, former JAG lawyers, practicing attorneys, and former SWAT team members. Without the diversity of this department, I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today, nor would I have the promise of countless opportunities upon graduation that only “Lyco’s” dedicated staff could have opened up for me.