Cumberland University students break bread (or eggs or cereal) with law enforcement
Lebanon TN Sept 30 2018
Cumberland University’s Chief of Security Mike Thornhill enjoys meeting others in his line of work.
For some time, Thornhill has gone to Coffee with the Chief, an event presented by the Mt. Juliet Police Department which allows it to interact with the community in a positive way. He decided it was time to do a similar event at Cumberland.
In August, he started Coffee with the Chief in the campus dining hall.
“I thought it might work out good on the college campus. I wanted our students and faculty to see that there is a human behind the badge. It is also a chance for the agencies to get together and network,” he said.
The second event was held last Thursday and welcomed members of the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Mt. Juliet Police Department, FBI, Tennessee Department of Safety and the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
“It is getting bigger,” Thornhill said.
From 7-9 a.m., on the third Thursday of each month, agencies and students will have the opportunity to eat breakfast together and network.
Thornhill said that 100 students attended last week’s Coffee with the Chief.
“We have a lot of criminal justice majors. They can meet with these agencies and talk about possible careers in the future,” he said.
WCSO Assistant Chief Lance Howell agreed it was great interaction with students.
“You’d be surprised at the questions you’ll get,” Howell said.
The next Coffee with the Chief will be Thursday, Oct. 18.
Thornhill has worked at Cumberland University since 2002 and has served as Chief of Campus Security since 2011.
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