As Waynesburg University celebrates its 175th anniversary, construction begins on the University’s new Center for Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation.
Slated to open in the fall 2024 semester of the University’s milestone year, the $2.1 million Center has been funded in its entirety by generous donors and will benefit students from various disciplines as well as provide training opportunities for regional first responders.
In our 175th year, we continue to make progress as we undertake the construction of this new building. We are deeply grateful to our donors who help make this growth possible.”
“In our 175th year, we continue to make progress as we undertake the construction of this new building,” said Waynesburg University President Douglas G. Lee. “We are deeply grateful to our donors who help make this growth possible.”
Waynesburg University’s Criminal Justice Program has a history of offering training facilities and opportunities to local and regional first responders, and this Center will enhance those training opportunities while enabling students to learn alongside and network with professionals in the field. Students from various academic programs, including criminal justice administration, cybersecurity and forensics, forensic accounting, forensic biology, forensic chemistry, forensic investigation, forensic science and pre-law will benefit from classroom and experiential learning opportunities in the space.
The Center will include a large space that can be used for functions of up to 120 people while also being able to convert into three separate classrooms outfitted with state-of-the-art technology. The Center will also house a conference room, office space and large area for practical learning exercises.
Waynesburg University serves as a training and recruitment hub for local, regional, and national law enforcement, such as the FBI, CIA, ATF, police departments, and probation offices, efforts which will be enhanced by the new physical space.
The Center for Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation will be located next to the University’s existing Crime Scene Investigation Center, which houses classrooms and state-of-the-art virtual training equipment, including a newly acquired $110K patrol car simulator, which enables students to be immersed into simulated, real world situations, allowing for problem solving and critical thinking opportunities that will better prepare them for their careers.
Offering students the opportunity to learn technical skills from experienced professionals in a hands-on setting from day one, Waynesburg’s Criminal Justice Administration Program was recently ranked No. 2 overall out of the 22 schools named to College Factual’s 2023 “Best Criminal Justice Schools in Pennsylvania” list. The program has consistently been recognized as a best value school by College Factual in recent years.
About Waynesburg University
Consistently ranked a best value school, Waynesburg University’s Strategy for the 21st Century affirms its commitment to developing an entrepreneurial mindset and ethical leadership skills for all students. Rooted in its mission of faith, learning and service, the private, Christian university is located on a traditional campus in the hills of southwestern Pennsylvania, with an additional site for graduate and professional programs in Southpointe.
The 175th Anniversary
The year 2024 marks Waynesburg University’s 175th Anniversary. The theme of the year-long celebration, “175 Years of Light,” focuses on honoring the University’s mission as well as its motto, “fiat lux,” or “let there be light.” This milestone year is a time for reflection, but also a time for great anticipation as the WU community together looks forward to the next 175 years while celebrating generations of students, faculty and staff pursuing lives of leadership and purpose for the glory of God.
