Wright State University-lake Campus holds cadet graduation

CELINA — The Wright State Lake Campus Police Academy graduated 10 cadets at a ceremony held Thursday evening at WSU-LC in Dicke Hall.

“I appreciate everyone being here to support the cadets and help us celebrate this important moment with them,” said Police Academy Commander Mark Ernst. He said he and the other instructors are proud to see the students reach this moment after the highs and the lows of the program.

Two speakers were featured at the ceremony: Vice Provost for the Lake Campus and Academic Officer Dr. Andrea Faber and Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy.

“I just wanted to welcome everybody who came in and congratulate our cadets for their

hard work for the last eight months or so,” said Faber.

Kennedy said the responsibility that the cadets have chosen is heavy and that they should do the best they can to uphold whatever badge they end up holding. She doesn’t know what’s

in store for them, but she does say that it is up to them to hold up the values of their profession at every opportunity.

“To the graduates and their families, on behalf of me and my family, thank you,” Kennedy said to the cadets. “Thank you for choosing to serve

in this noble and honorable profession. Thank you for your commitment to the service and

sacrifice that will come with serving as a law enforcement officers everyday.”

“Remember, catch your breath when you can,” the justice continued. “Rest your mind when there is time and steer yourself, because you

cannot buckle under the weight of the badge. If I can impart three words of wisdom to you, it is this: duty runs deep. The mission you serve is

bigger than yourself and preparedness is not a moment, it is a lifetime commitment.”

Ernst wished the best for his students and said he hopes they have a long career when it comes down to it and that they are able to use the lessons they learned in the classroom to the

best of their ability. Having trained them, tested them and even pepper sprayed them a time or two, he thinks they’re ready for what the world has in store for them.

“This is very important to us and to them,” said Ernst about the ceremony. “And now they’re moving on to become law enforcement officers and I’m very proud of them.”

The students graduating include Kylie Archer, Tryston Cowan, Jill Gemmer, Aubrie Harrod,

Lorissa Hoying, Sean Mcdonald, Dalan Seyer, Veronica Sepulveda, Shawn Sturwold and Garrett Weekly. The students also nominated Sgt. Thomas Kennedy and Trooper Jeremiah Smith for the Outstanding Instructor Award for the

hard work they devoted to their students.