GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 4, 2023) – Bob Jones University held the 10th annual Criminal Justice Challenge Coin Ceremony Thursday, May 4, for 2023 graduates of BJU’s criminal justice program. The ceremony was held in Levinson Hall on the BJU campus.
During the ceremony, graduating seniors were presented with a BJU Criminal Justice Challenge Coin. The front of the coin is imprinted with the phrase “Standing Valiantly for Christ” and an emblazoned banner stamped with Romans 3:14. The reverse side bears the name of the University and the BJU crest which symbolizes the heritage and biblical worldview which are foundational to our liberal arts education and character development in preparation for effective service to Christ and the community.
The challenge coin has a rich and extensive history in both the military and law enforcement. Receiving a challenge coin is an honor. It represents a token of professional recognition. The BJU challenge coin is designed to represent the law enforcement profession and be a lasting reminder of a graduate’s calling to faithfully represent the Lord in the criminal justice environment.
Additionally, Caleb Burgess of Fair Haven, New York, and Megan Sigvardsen of Waianae, Hawaii, received the Allen Jacobs Memorial Award. The award was established in memory of Officer Allen Jacobs of the Greenville Police Department who was killed in the line of duty in 2016. This year’s recipients received approximately $2,400.
Jackie Swindler, director of the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, delivered the keynote address.
“The criminal justice faculty were honored to present our seniors with their challenge coins as a tangible reminder of the challenges they have overcome taking their first steps in the criminal justice field. The profession of today is frequently referred to as a “buyer’s market” and Bob Jones University criminal justice graduates can afford to be discerning,” said Lance Crowe, criminal justice faculty member and program coordinator. “Regardless of their course or destination, each of them has been trained and equipped to serve others effectively by pursuing justice with a biblical perspective.”
