Department of Sociology, Anthropology, Social Work and Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice student earns 2nd LEEP scholarship

criminal justice, scholarship, LEEP, FBI, Marybeth, Gormley

icon of a calendarSeptember 28, 2018

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Criminal Justice student earns 2nd LEEP scholarship
Marybeth Gormley, an Oakland University Criminal Justice major, has earned her second LEEP Scholarship in as many years.

Oakland University student Marybeth Gormley has been awarded her second $2,000 Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) Dream Scholarship. She is among eight top students from around the country who will receive the scholarship to encourage their pursuit of law enforcement/public safety careers by the professional public safety officers of LEEP.

“My ultimate career goal is to be part of the FBI. Unfortunately, taking the steps toward this career is going to be a financial challenge and every little bit helps,” Gormley, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, wrote in her scholarship application.

“Although many students express an interest in working for the FBI, few students take the initiative to take relevant courses outside of the criminal justice major,” Assistant Professor of Sociology, Matthew May, Ph.D, wrote in his letter of recommendation. “Marybeth, however, is currently enrolled in a Spanish language course and plans to take additional courses that will serve her specific career goals such as a logic and additional foreign language courses.”

Gormley, from North Branch, also participates in volunteer leadership activities as an Honors College student and volunteers at Paradise Animal Rescue. As part of Trinity United Methodist Church Youth Group in Lapeer, she helped host dinners and fundraisers for the homeless. To earn money for college, she worked for Campbell’s Greenhouse and completed housework and yard maintenance for a local resident.

“It is often the case that no student in a given course will receive a full 4.0 as it requires near perfect attendance. Thus, it was especially impressive for a first-year student to achieve a 4.0 score,” Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Lori Burrington, Ph.D., wrote in support of Gormley’s scholarship consideration. “I have come to rely on Marybeth as a good citizen in my courses; she takes time to be helpful to other students and serves as a role model, exemplifying what it means to be a stellar criminal justice student.”

Other scholarship winners include: Esperanza Razo of California; Ryan McIntyre of Indiana; Sydney Bleich, Hunter Bowerson and Mason Deible of Michigan; Colby Matthys of Missouri; and Antronette Gholston of Oklahoma.

In its 14th year, LEEP, based in Troy, Michigan, has awarded some $232,000 in Dream scholarships to students showing a demonstrated interest in public service/law enforcement careers.

 

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