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startedcomewarmedOutstanding Tiger AlumniWilliam AustenAusten has spent most of his life making the lives of others more pleasant. Extending a helping hand has always come natural for him.Like so many students who attended Arkansas City Junior College, Austen's education was interrupted. He is a 1951 graduate of Arkansas CityHigh School, then was drafted into the U.S. Army where he was assigned to a military police unit. It launched his career in law enforcement."This opportunity presented itself to me," said Austen, who for the past 18 years has served as chief court services officer for the 16th judicial districtin Dodge City. "Before Ithe judge encouraged me to get my degree. I've been in law enforcement ever since."After graduating from ACJC in 1956, Austen transferred to Emporia State. In 1976 he finished at St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City.Austen, an Arkansas City native, remembers the winning tradition of Cowley basketball teams during his two years. He remembers Dan Kahler,the coach, and the national runner-up finish in 1953."I was team manager for the college at that time," Austen said. "I wasn't much of a player. Ithe bench for people."Austen said his primary goal at ACJC was to get a degree, to prepare for life after college. Little did he know then that his life would be spentserving others."I'm basically in the probation department," Austen said of his current job. "We do a lot of investigative work for the court. The job changes everyday. You never know what's going to come up next."When Austen began his duties,he was a one-man band. Now he has a staff of nine. The staff supervises both adults and juveniles on probation,as well as other functions under the direction of the district court judges. Austen's staff serves a six-county area of Ford, Gray, Comanche, Kiowa, Clarkand Meade counties insouthwest Kansas.One of the most fulfilling projects that Austen has been involved in is as attendance officer with school districts in the six-county area."After school officials have exhausted all their efforts, Iin and make some changes," Austen said. "We bring the students into the court andlet them talk to the judge directly. They are not arrested. It's a chance for the judge to talk to the students and their parents about why they aren't attendingschool."Austen said the program, in its fourth year, has been successful. He said about 45 percent of all students in the program stay in school. He seesabout 35 students per month, grades kindergarten through 12th grade, from all six counties."Two other districts have copied and started their own program," Austen said. "We're in the running for an award for new programs developedinthe United States. There's $10,000 involved, which would go to the district."Austen said some of the problems solved in the program include seating a student closer to the front of the room so he could see."He was in the back of the room and they couldn't figure out what was the matter," Austen said. "Different things have come out of this and areshocking to administrators at the schools."Austen and his wife of 35 years, Jo, have three children. When he isn't spending time with them, he is heavily involved in the rodeo and has beenfor the past 20 years."We have the fifth-largest rodeo in the United States," Austen said of Dodge City's summer showcase. "It's really a community deal. The rodeohas become so successful because of community involvement from Dodge City and the surrounding area."?9