Wayne Community Criminal Justice student named state's top
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on May 7, 2004 1:58 PM
Wayne Community College student Kathy Westbrook Bass has been named the N.C. Criminal Justice Association's top community college student.
Mrs. Bass, a Newton Grove resident, is the 2004 recipient of the organization's James B. Merritt Student Award. In addition to being recognized at the NCCJA annual meeting, she received a $100 scholarship and a certificate commending her for excellence in character, leadership, service and academics.
During her tenure at WCC, Mrs. Bass, who will receive her associate in applied science in criminal justice technology degree this spring, has served as secretary of the WCC Criminal Justice Club and a Student Government Association representative. She is an All-American Scholar, on the National Dean's List and a member of Phi Theta. Mrs. Bass was named to Who's Who Among Students at Wayne Community College in 2003.
She is a part-time assistant to the college's director of law enforcement training, a position she first held as a volunteer for a year. She also is a Guardian ad Litem. Married for 30 years, she is the mother of one and grandmother of two.
In recommending her for the award, College President Ed Wilson called Mrs. Bass "a role model for other students at Wayne Community College."
"Mrs. Bass automatically puts her best effort into every role she takes on - wife, mother, grandmother, student, club officer, community volunteer, and I know she will give her best to the next phase of her academic career and to the criminal justice profession as well," wrote Tara Humphries, WCC public information officer.
The N.C. Criminal Justice Association is an organization of professionals who work and teach in the criminal justice field throughout the state.