Chaminade University of Honolulu

Criminology and Criminal Justice

Student’s Heritage Motivates Academic Journey

Chaminade junior Alexis Lambert loves to see history come alive through culture.

Alexis Lambert - online undergraduate student majoring in psychology

And so when her professor tasked her with writing a research paper for History 201, a course that explores America through the Civil War, she knew exactly what she wanted to write about: Her people.

Lambert, 21, is a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

She was born and raised in Cherokee, North Carolina, and still lives on reservation land there with her mother and two younger siblings. It seems a world away from Chaminade, but Lambert says the university’s online program has turned out to be a perfect fit for her—and her studies.

Alexis Lambert - online undergraduate student majoring in psychology

Lambert first applied to Chaminade while still in high school, but then decided to attend her local community college for two years. After receiving her associate’s degree, she was looking for an online bachelor’s degree program that would allow her to stay in Cherokee while also getting access to quality educational programs. She remembered what she’d read about Chaminade and decided to apply again.

“Everything fell into place,” she said.

Lambert is now majoring in Psychology and pursuing a minor in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Chaminade.

She dreams of bringing her unique perspective to her future profession just as she brings it to her courses today. “I love my culture and cannot imagine growing up any other way,” she said. “We have pow-wows and festivals that celebrate our food and culture all throughout the year.”

For History 201, Lambert worked with adjunct Professor Willis Moore to tell the story of her people before 1865 into present day. The paper explores what the Cherokee people have gone through—and how they have survived to keep their traditions, customs and language alive for future generations.

It also unpacks her tribe’s laws and political structure, comparing them to the US government.

Lambert said she jumped at the opportunity to write the paper for a simple reason: “I want more people to know about my culture and to know about the other side of history—the one that is not in the books. Cherokee is a federally recognized tribe in the US. We have our own laws and land.”

Lambert said she’s come a long way—and is looking forward to graduation and beyond.

She’s interested in becoming a clinical psychologist or a forensic psychologist. Whatever she chooses, she’s confident that she’ll get there because of having her foundation rooted at Chaminade. “I love it here and cannot wait to learn more,” she said. “I am very happy right now and very proud of myself.”

Graduate and Undergraduate Student Recognized at “Top Cop” Event

Two Chaminade students were recognized recently at the “Top Cop” Law Enforcement and Security Awards, an annual event aimed at celebrating those who work to make their communities safer.

Top Cop 2019
L-R: Dr. Joe Allen, Dr. Kelly Treece, Jesus Moreno (MSCJA student), Dr. Ronald Becker and Andres Victoria (Criminology and Criminal Justice student)

Jesus Moreno, a Chaminade graduate student, was awarded the Anton Financial Scholarship after outlining his studies in criminal justice and detailing what he plans to do after graduation.

Undergraduate student Andres Victoria, meanwhile, took home the ASIS Hawaii Chapter award. Victoria is seeking his bachelor’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice at Chaminade online.

Both students received $1,000 cash scholarships.

The “Top Cop” awards banquet was held October 24 at the Ala Moana Hotel. The event is held annually to “promote, encourage and recognize excellence in the field of law enforcement and security in Hawaii.”

To be selected for the scholarships, Moreno and Victoria also had to submit letters of recommendation and be actively enrolled in a criminal justice program.

Worth noting: Chaminade’s Criminology and Criminal Justice program is the largest and oldest in Hawaii, and the University offers several degree options for those interested in pursuing careers in the field.

In addition to on-campus programs, students can seek Criminology and Criminal Justice undergraduate and graduate degrees entirely online.

Whether on campus or online, the degrees prepare students to pursue careers in law enforcement, public safety, criminal justice or graduate studies in law or criminology research.

‘Aim Higher,’ Student-Athlete Antonio Bonnetty Urges, by Taking Full Advantage of Campus Opportunities

Some college students simply go to class and go home. Not Antonio Bonnetty.

This Chaminade University undergraduate is double majoring in Environmental Studies and Criminology and Criminal Justice, he runs cross country for the Silverswords, he represented Chaminade Athletics at a leadership retreat, he’s involved in Campus Ministry, he’s part of the Hogan Entrepreneurs Program, and in his spare time he’s into slam poetry, hiking and Xbox One gaming.

A double scholarship winner, Bonnetty also plans to join the Peace Corps, become an environmental law attorney and possibly pursue an FBI career.

“I have been very blessed at Chaminade thus far and have taken part in many opportunities as a result,” said Bonnetty, a “military brat” from Mississippi whose family moved to Oahu during his junior year of high school.

Despite suffering from scoliosis, Bonnetty was a standout athlete at Moanalua High School, where he competed in track, wrestling and football. At Chaminade, his cross country team named him last year’s “Most Inspirational Runner.”

“I fell in love with Hawaii,” said Bonnetty, who graduated from Moanalua in 2015. “I knew since I was going to college, I wanted to stay here. I actually applied to two places, both of which accepted me. But I liked Chaminade more, and the rest is history.”

Bonnetty said all his instructors “have been extremely helpful in my success.” But he’s especially grateful to Associate Professor and Environmental Studies Director Gail Grabowsky for underscoring the danger of ecological threats confronting Hawaii and the rest of the planet.

“Professor Gail ignited my love for environmental issues and led me down a path that impacted me so much that I realized that wanting to change the way the world views the environment, while not easy, is something I would be willing to spend my life in the pursuit of,” Bonnetty said.

This dedication to protecting the global ecosystem prompted Bonnetty to work with Kupu, a Honolulu-based nonprofit organization that provides young people with internships and service-learning opportunities so they can become stewards of Hawaii’s culture and natural environment.

Another instructor who stands out for Bonnetty is Professor Ronald Becker, director of the Criminology and Criminal Justice program. Dr. Becker also leads the five-day Underwater Forensic Investigation Workshop, which explores methods of locating, recovering and processing submerged evidence at crime scenes.

“These are things that I am so blessed to be a part of,” Bonnetty said, “and I will take a piece of what I learn from each experience into my future endeavors.

“Just remember to always aim higher,” he added, “and help as many people as you can do the same.”

Chaminade University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Studies, which prepares students for careers in fields such as law, economics, communications and information, consulting, science, ethics, health and environmental policy. Graduates of Chaminade’s Criminology and Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science program pursue careers in law enforcement, public safety, administration and other areas at the federal, state and local level.

Student-Athlete Emma Tecklenburg Brings Her Competitive Spirit to Volleyball Court and Classroom

For anyone who follows women’s volleyball at Chaminade University, the competitive spirit of student-athlete Emma Tecklenburg is impossible to miss. Named to the All-Pacific West Conference Third Team, the 5-foot-11-inch outsider hitter helped the Silverswords achieve a record third-consecutive winning season at 16-12.

A sophomore from Plano, Texas, Tecklenburg finished third in the PacWest in kills per set and seventh in service aces. Moreover, her kill average was the second-highest by a ’Sword since 2010.

Tecklenburg brings that same intensity to the classroom. She’s double majoring in Forensic Sciences and Criminology and Criminal Justice, thinking about adding a minor and already looking ahead to graduate school. During her rare downtime, she enjoys camping, swimming, beach volleyball and other sports.

“It has definitely been a struggle at times balancing school, volleyball and my social life,” said Tecklenburg, who’s attending Chaminade on a four-year athletic scholarship. “But I have some really great teammates that do their best to hold me accountable.

“The hardest balance is school and volleyball,” she pointed out, “especially during our road trips when we’re gone for more than a week at a time. But the team puts in a lot of effort at keeping caught up in school while traveling.”

While attending high school nearly 4,000 miles away in the Lone Star State, Tecklenburg was a standout on her champion volleyball team and earned academic all-district honors. When it came time to make college plans, she was drawn to Chaminade and the abundant natural beauty and recreational opportunities on Oahu.

“I was super attracted to Chaminade because I live in Northern Texas, so there’s not a lot of nature to experience down there,” Tecklenburg said. “The only time I ever went to the beach was on vacation, and I thought I would regret passing up such a cool life experience of living in Hawaii.

“It wasn’t as big of an adjustment as I thought it would be,” she continued, “because we started playing volleyball right away and it was a good distraction from being homesick.”

Competing for the Silverswords, Tecklenburg said, “is a wonderful opportunity.”

“This team is truly a family and I am so appreciative to get to wake up and see them every day,” she said. “Everybody is so talented and driven! It’s really fun to get to see everyone grow and get better together.”

As for her academic career, Tecklenburg enjoys working with Associate Professor David Carter, director of the Forensic Sciences program.

“So far, Dr. Carter has been my absolute favorite professor,” Tecklenburg said. “He is a great instructor in general, and one of the most easy-going and fun people to talk with.

“I would love to go to grad school and extend my education once I finish my four-year plan,” she added, “so we will see where I end up when that is all completed.”

Chaminade University’s Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers a Bachelor of Science degree and a minor in Forensic Sciences. The Division of Behavioral Sciences offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.