• Dr. Brian O’Neill poses with outstanding students (from left to right): Mary Elizabeth Keeney (Outstanding Senior), Dr. O’Neill, Joseph Moloney (Outstanding Graduate Student), Adam Heath (Outstanding Junior).

    Dr. Brian O’Neill poses with outstanding students (from left to right): Mary Elizabeth Keeney (Outstanding Senior), Dr. O’Neill, Joseph Moloney (Outstanding Graduate Student), Adam Heath (Outstanding Junior).

  • Dr. Brian O’Neill poses with outstanding students (from left to right): Mary Elizabeth Keeney (Outstanding Senior), Dr. O’Neill, Joseph Moloney (Outstanding Graduate Student), Adam Heath (Outstanding Junior).

    Dr. Brian O’Neill poses with outstanding students (from left to right): Mary Elizabeth Keeney (Outstanding Senior), Dr. O’Neill, Joseph Moloney (Outstanding Graduate Student), Adam Heath (Outstanding Junior).

 

Student Recognition

Four annual scholarships are offered to Criminal Justice majors. Application periods are announced each spring semester for scholarships awarded in the subsequent fall semester. The amount of each award may change from year to year depending on economic factors.

Jesse Silvano Scholarship

Jesse Silvano was an active, outgoing, family-oriented Criminal Justice major. While he planned to pursue both a master's degree and a law degree, his career was cut short by his untimely death in his senior year. Jesse always cared for others, and wanted to help those who were struggling. In Jesse's honor, his family established this annual scholarship to assist needy students. Criteria for this award include: minimum grade point average of 2.5, junior or senior criminal justice major, active member of the University community, commitment to completing the undergraduate degree. Previous winners are listed below:

Year Recipient
2019 Yasiel Taveras
2018 Lindsey Smith
2017 N/A
2016 Morgan J. Caltabiono
2015 Gillian Coffey
2014 N/A
2013 Kristina Kemetkova
2011 Ryan Bones
2010 Amanda Morgan

Chief Robert M. and Vera Valyo Scholarship

Robert M. Valyo served as a dedicated public servant and police officer in Willistown Township for 32 years. His last 10 years he served as Chief of that Department. The Scholarship was established after his retirement, and has been continued by the Valyo family after Chief Valyo's death in 2004. Criteria for this scholarship include: minimum grade point average of 3.0; junior or senior criminal justice major; preference is given to students interested in a career in law enforcement.  Previous winners are listed below:

Year Recipient
2019 James McMenamin
2018 Noor Butt
2017 Morgan Caltabiano
2016 Brenna L. Turner
2015 Anderson Amaya
2014 Alicia Leitz
2013 Shane Hall
2012 Lauren Perry
2011 Kiersten Keenen
2010 Matt Bryant

Jana Nestlerode Practicum Scholarship

The Jana Nestlerode Practicum Scholarship is named after one of the Criminal Justice Department's long-standing favorite professors.  Before joining the faculty at West Chester University, Jana Nestlerode was with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.  She served as the department chair for nearly 20 years (only stepping down recently) and was also the Practicum coordinator.  This scholarship was recently started in her name to assist students who have a financial need and are enrolled in CRJ 490: Practicum for the upcoming summer.

Year Recipient
2019 N/A
2018 N/A
2017 N/A
2016 N/A

Outstanding Student Recognition Event

Each spring semester, the College of Business and Public Management honors the outstanding students from each of the departments within the college. Students are selected by the faculty in their respective departments. An April awards ceremony is held on campus, to which students may invite family members. Each student receives a certificate honoring his/her achievements.

2024

Award Recipient
Outstanding Student Kylie Hoffman
Outstanding Student Mckenna Newnam
Outstanding Graduate Student Raymond Almodovar

 

2023

Award Recipient
Outstanding Student Joseph Murphy
Outstanding Student Emily Scott
Outstanding Graduate Student Erin Faucher

 

2022

Award Recipient
Outstanding Student Charlotte Bruecks
Outstanding Student Rebecca Zionce
Outstanding Graduate Student Mallory Norris

 

2021

Award Recipient
Outstanding Student Patricia Grove
Outstanding Student Grace Whitney
Outstanding Graduate Student Rachael Blacker

 

2020

Award Recipient
Outstanding Student Megan Clancey
Outstanding Student Dean Haralambidis
Outstanding Graduate Student Sarah Franzone

 

2019

Award Recipient
Outstanding Student Gabriela Jones
Outstanding Student Samantha Stever
Outstanding Student Miriam van der Spek

2018

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Brenna Turner
Outstanding Senior Mariana Greco
Outstanding Junior Gabriela Jones

2017

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Lisa Miller
Outstanding Senior Brenna Turner
Outstanding Junior Ashley Melis

2016

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Cynthia Dorsey
Outstanding Senior Casey Pullyblank
Outstanding Junior Chelsea MacIntyre

2015

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Tracey Malandra
Outstanding Senior Holly Rowcotsky
Outstanding Junior Lacey Gilber

2014

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Jessica Russ
Outstanding Senior Tracey Malandra
Outstanding Junior Chelsea Holland

2013

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Joseph Moloney
Outstanding Senior Mary Elizabeth Keene
Outstanding Junior Adam Heath

2012

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Laura Cramsey
Outstanding Senior Joshua Bills
Outstanding Junior Brett Snyder

2011

Award Recipient
Outstanding Graduate Clara Archbold
Outstanding Senior Laura Cramsey
Outstanding Junior Stephanie Cristiano