CSC group to arrive in London Monday

Dr. Tracy Nobiling, professor of justice studies, is leading six criminal justice majors. Dr. Patti Blundell is the faculty leader for six education students. Retired faculty member Dr. Ann Peterson and current faculty member Beth Wentworth are traveling as students with the education group.

Over the past four years, Nobiling has found that blogging is a useful tool for the students to record their experiences for course requirements as well as provide friends and relatives with a narrative of their experiences. The justice studies majors, Nobiling and one education student will be posting blog entries on the department Web page.

The groups will tour Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Stonehenge, Warwick Castle, Windsor Castle, Oxford University, Stratford-Upon-Avon and the Roman Baths in Bath, England, together. Other days, the education group will travel to schools and cathedrals while the criminal students tour police stations and courtrooms. The CSC group will leave London May 24.

Each London study abroad student received a $1,000 scholarship from a fund created by Dr. Charles Snare, vice president of academic affairs. All students also received a $400 Chadron State Foundation scholarship from an anonymous donor. Additionally, the Justice Studies department awarded $500 Team George scholarships to Skyler Hellmuth of Indianola, Nebraska, Brenna Thompson of Cheyenne, Wyoming and Brittnie Wedel of Bennington, Nebraska.

“For Justice Studies, the big story is this is our last year with our friend and contact with the Metropolitan Police Service because Constable Richard Watson, who has been assisting our group for the last 18 years, is retiring in June,” Nobiling said.

Watson works for the Public Order Branch Ceremonial Team at New Scotland Yard. He and his team are responsible for planning Metropolitan Police security at all major events in London including visits by foreign heads of states, royal weddings, royal births, and the Trooping of the Colour, a ceremony performed to mark the official birthday of the Queen. His last day on the job will be June 13, the day of that ceremony this year.

He has been the CSC justice studies department’s primary contact with the Metropolitan Police for the past 18 years. During a time when the Metropolitan Police Service has had to eliminate tours and events with student groups because of staffing and security, Constable Watson has been able to schedule on average seven events with the Metropolitan Police Service units each year including a visit to the world famous headquarters, New Scotland Yard, according to Nobiling.

“Constable Watson's tireless dedication to the CSC Justice Studies study abroad program has been critical in maintaining the quality of our program over the years. He spends countless hours orchestrating many of our activities and then takes time away from work to be our personal guide in London. Without his influence, we would not get to experience all facets of the English justice system. The students always thoroughly enjoy meeting him, and I couldn't do this program without him. He will be greatly missed,” Nobiling said.

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