Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Police Officer Earns College Degree
KIMBALL MAKES TIME TO FINISH
FARMINGTON — Farmington police officer Geoff Kimball spent four hours one night a week for 18 months earning his undergraduate degree from John Brown University in Siloam Springs.
He graduated in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational management.
Kimball, 33, said he already had 70 hours of college credit but had not been in school since 2003.
“It ’ s something I’ve a l wa y s wa n ted to complete,” Kimball said recently. “When the opportunity came along, I went ahead and jumped at it.”
Organizational management is mainly a business degree but also included cou rses in manage - ment theory and human resources.
For now, Kimball said he plans to stay in Farmington and is not sure if he will use the degree in another way in the future. He is considering graduate school at the University of Arkansas.
“I like being a part of this community,” Kimball said. “I enjoy trying to protect and give the community the best I can.”
Kimball has been with the Farmington Police Department for more than six years and is the senior patrol officer.
He previously worked for the Washington County Sheriff ’s Office.
Chief Brian Hubbard talked about Kimball’s accomplishment at the Dec. 23 Farmington City Council meeting.
Hubbard pointed out that an organizational management degree can be used in just about every facet of any organization.
“It works well with leadership because he is one of the leaders of the younger guys,” Hubbard said, adding that he is proud of Kimball’s commitment to earn a college degree. “I”m delighted to have him here.”
Mayor Ernie Penn said Kimball’s degree will benefit the city and continue the professionalism of the police department.
“Anytime you have an employee bettering themselves education wise and improving their knowledge and value to the city, that’s an asset for us,” Penn said. “We have a very talented and educated employee who’s working for the police department.”