PHOTO CAPTION: Students in Ferris State University’s Law Enforcement Academy joined
with officers from area police and sheriff’s departments during the Law Enforcement
Torch Run for Special Olympics. One thousand and one hundred dollars was raised to
support the activities of Area 5 Special Olympians from Mecosta and Osceola counties.
Whether the opportunities arose in late summer or the final weeks of winter, students
in Ferris State University’s Department of Criminal Justice Law Enforcement Academy
consistently offered their support for Area 5 Special Olympics, collaborating with
area police officers in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics.
Criminal Justice professor and LEA director Cecil Queen said that all academy students
participate in the September run, and they gathered $1,100 in donations to support
Olympians from Mecosta and Osceola counties.
“We have had a great response from LEA students for the last 10 to 12 years,” Queen said. “The academy is proud of their commitment to Special Olympics as Torch Run participants and philanthropists.”
Queen said the LEA students will also follow Area 5’s lead and make their preparations for the 2019 Polar Plunge, which will be held in the vicinity of the East Bay General Store, in Chippewa Lake, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 23.
“We raised more than $2,300 for Area 5 MSO last year,” Queen said. “Our academy students have been among the top fundraisers for their Polar Plunge events in the past. It would be great to get more Ferris students involved.”
Pat Rosales, the Area 5 MSO director, said they are grateful for the support offered from across the Ferris campus, as LEA students are joined by Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, Sports Communication students and the Sports Careers registered student organization as organizers and participants in fundraising and awareness events.