Wednesday, September 26 - Southern Criminal Justice Association

PRESIDENT
Angela D. Crews
Marshall University
1 st VICE PRESIDENT
David C. May
Mississippi State
University
2 nd VICE PRESIDENT
Holly Ventura
Miller
University of
Texas-San
Antonio
TREASURER
Kathrine Johnson
University of West
Florida
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kristie Blevins
Eastern Kentucky
University
Tammy Castle
James Madison University
David Khey
Loyola University
Sean Maddan
University of Tampa
Danielle McDonald
Northern Kentucky
University
IMMEDIATE PAST
PRESIDENT
Brian K. Payne
Georgia State University
ACJS REPRESENTATIVE
Alexis Miller
Northern Kentucky
University
AJCJ EDITOR
Wesley Jennings
University of South Florida
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OF THE SECRETARIAT
Jeff Rush
Troy University
Southern Criminal Justice Association
www.scja.net
Dear SCJA Members and Conference Participants,
Welcome to sunny Atlantic Beach for the 40th anniversary celebration of SCJA! We have many special
activities in recognition of this milestone, including several panels by past Presidents of the association, a
"Flashback to 1972" Participant's Reception, and other exciting events. Although I cannot guarantee
performances as good as Brian's in Nashville, we will once again have karaoke at our "Flashback," so I hope
you have practiced your Moody Blues, America, Lou Reed, and Roberta Flack and have broken out your
mini's, midi's, maxi's, jersey wrap dresses, tie-dye, bell-bottoms, and platform shoes for the "Fashion
Flashback" contest. We also will have a delicious culinary creation (i.e., a cake) at the President's Reception
on Wednesday evening. I wish to especially welcome new members, new attendees, and students! We are
so excited to have you and hope you feel warmly welcomed to keep coming back year after year.
We have accomplished quite a bit this year and we will summarize all of those accomplishments during the
General Business Meeting on Friday morning. I hope everyone can attend as we will follow that meeting
with our Keynote Address and Awards Luncheon. I am very proud to welcome Angela Corey, State Attorney
for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, as our Keynote Speaker. Ms. Corey has prosecuted several high-profile cases
and currently is heading the prosecution of George Zimmerman, charged with the murder of Trayvon
Martin. Although Ms. Corey cannot speak specifically about the case since it still is in progress, she has
prepared a very interesting Keynote Address that I hope you all will attend.
We are welcoming new Board members this year, including Greg Dunaway as the incoming 2nd Vice-
President, and new Directors, Marv Krohn from the University of Florida, and David Khey from Loyola
University (who has been serving in an appointed interim capacity). I also want to express my appreciation to
those who ran for Board positions. It is wonderful to see such a willingness to serve SCJA and I hope to see
more of you seek to become part of the leadership. Greg is replacing Holly Miller, who ascends to 1st VP, and
Marv replaces Tammy Castle on the Board of Directors. Tammy has been an invaluable asset to the Board
and to SCJA and has taken on many responsibilities, including chairing the Secretariat Search Committee and
the Fundraising Committee, along with many other things over the past three years. We will miss her! She
leaves big shoes for Marv to fill, although I think he will relish the challenge!
My thanks to the entire Board for the lively email, Doodle votes, and Dropbox discussions over the past year.
I have learned more about Robert's Rules in the past year than I really ever cared to know! However, I feel
that we worked together for the good of SCJA and will be moving the association forward with the policies,
procedures and amendments that we have passed (or not).
I want also to thank Dave May for doing such a marvelous job on the conference program. Although I was
proud to have a record number of panels in Nashville last year, Dave's efforts to solicit quality papers,
roundtables, and posters have resulted in an even higher number this year! Please make sure to let Dave know
how much you are enjoying the conference and if there is something you do not like, let him and Holly Miller
(Program Chair for 2013) know so we can improve your conference experience even more in Virginia Beach for
next year.
Finally, special thanks to Mr. Jennings (Wesley Jennings' father) for all of his expertise in all tax-related matters,
and to Brenda Vose, Chair of Local Arrangements. Mr. Jennings pulled us back from the brink of IRS disaster,
and Brenda's efforts have given us numerous local entertainment, dining, and shopping venues. Thanks to you
both for helping SCJA have a great conference this year!
Oh, and one more very special "thank you" to my husband, Gordon, for his support all the way through my
journey to this point, in SCJA and in life. As you say, "it's been a long, strange trip" and I wouldn't miss the rest
of it for anything in the world!
I hope each of you enjoys the conference, One Ocean Resort and the Jax Beaches area! Thank you for attending!
Angela