Left to right: Lt. Kelly Krenn (BCPO), Officer Litty Thomas (BCSO), Officer Keith Watts (Lodi PD), Officer Ken Charlenea (BCSO), Sergeant Nichelle Ponder (BCSO), and Captain Ed Young (Fort Lee PD)

RUTHERFORD, NJ – The Felician University School of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Lecture Series hosted an important event this March for Felician University criminal justice students and visiting high school students. Participating agencies in the law enforcement demonstrations and presentations included the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, Fort Lee Police Department, Lodi Police Department, and Rutherford Police Department.

The day began with prospective students learning about Safe Driving Techniques from Officer Thomas Lewis of the Rutherford Police Department. At a second station, current criminal justice students learned about Motor Vehicle Stops and participated in a mock traffic stop with Officers Anthony Mobilio and Keith Watts of the Lodi Police Department, in the Montross Parking Lot. A third station included Sergeant Nichelle Ponder, and Officers Litty Thomas and Ken Charlenea of the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office who set up the Fire Arms Training System (FATS) demonstration.

FATS Demonstration with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office

At the FATS demonstration, students volunteered to participate in simulations of various scenarios like a domestic violence call and an active shooter situation, engaging in the split-second decision-making situations encountered by officers.

The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring Lt. Kelly Krenn (BCPO), Captain Ed Young (FLPD), Sergeant Nichelle Ponder, and Officers Litty Thomas and Ken Charlenea (BCSO).

Dr. Gina Robertiello, professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, remarked, “Not only was this interactive day about examining and ensuring safety in the exchanges between law enforcement and the public, but it is also a timely, intersecting topic that relates to the role of the police, issues of social justice, and many of the Felician Franciscan core values that the university embraces.”

Left to right: Officer Litty Thomas (BCSO), Lt. Kelly Krenn (BCPO), Captain Ed Young (Fort Lee PD), Officer Keith Watts (Lodi PD), Officer Ken Charlenea (BCSO), and Sergeant Nichelle Ponder (BCSO)

The School of Arts & Science Dean’s Lecture Series showcases high-impact topics in the Humanities and the Sciences. The series convenes scholars and thought leaders whose work provides innovative perspectives and explores current societal trends, social justice, and ethical issues. This series purpose is to further engage, understand, and highlight various ideas aimed at creating a more just, equitable, and compassionate society. The presentations are targeted to a broad audience that includes students, faculty, interested members of the university community, and the public.

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About Felician University

Felician University inspires and engages more than 2,100 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students through programs in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education. Over the past five years, Felician University has ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and #1 Safest College Campus in New Jersey according to niche.com. The Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. Felician University was designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the ninth year recognizing its strong support for Veteran students.  The university is recognized for its diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), having underrepresented students comprise more than half of the student population. With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, the Franciscan values of social justice, compassion, and respect for human dignity serve as an inclusive foundation for transforming the lives of tomorrow’s leaders. For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.