Public Safety Graduates Sent Off With A Challenge

by Emilie Jenson, Public Information Office
Posted on 4/28/2023

Soon to be graduates of the Iowa Central Fire Science and Criminal Justice Programs were recently recognized for their hard work and dedication as they near the completion of their studies.

A graduate recognition program, the first ever for the program, was held April 21 in the Bioscience and Health Science Building Auditorium. The program featured guest speakers, posting of the colors by the Southeast Iowa Regional Honor Guard and the presentation of challenge coins to each graduate.

“Public Safety, especially the fire service, is full of tradition and ceremonies,” said Lenny Sanders, Iowa Central Fire Science program coordinator.

“With the different departments like nursing that have end of the year traditions, we decided it would be a cool thing to start something for our law enforcement and fire students,” said Joe Wright, Criminal Justice program coordinator. “A way to send them out with a few last messages.”

Philip Gilman, an EMT/Firefighter with the Omaha Fire Department and Paul Gardner, a trooper with Iowa State Patrol Post 7 in Fort Dodge, both Iowa Central Alumni spoke at the event, along with Keynote Speaker Keith “Doc” Patterson, a member of the Southeast Iowa Regional Honor Guard and instructor with the Illinois Fire Service Institute.

“Our students and graduates really enjoyed it,” said Wright. “They were all very engaged and listening intently to the speakers.”

One final ritual as the ceremony ended was the presentation of challenge coins to each graduate. The challenge coin is a military tradition dating back to World War I which keeps members of the military or public service connected even after they have left the force. The Iowa Central coins serve as a way to keep graduates connected long after their graduation ceremony is complete.

“We hope this gives our students a taste of the many traditions they’ll become part of as they begin their careers,” said Sanders.