University of Floridas Chief of Police Receives Safety and Security Champion of Change Award
Tue, 01/23/2018 - 11:19am | By: Alison Crumpton
University of Florida's Chief of Police Linda J. Stump-Kurnick was recently recognized during the National Intercollegiate Athletics Safety and Security Summit in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 16, hosted by The University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4).
Stump-Kurnick received the inaugural 2018 ‘Champion of Change' Award, which recognizes an individual who has demonstrated their ability and commitment to bring about positive change in the sports safety and security industry. Through progressive leadership, this individual's achievements have made a difference to organizational effectiveness and led the organization forward into the future.
The ‘Champion of Change' Award is voted on annually by NCS4's National Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee.
"I'm honored to be the first winner of this national recognition," said Chief Stump. "My ultimate priority is to the safety of the up to 90,000 fans who come to enjoy games at the on-campus stadium, and it is nice to be recognized as a leader in the sports security community."
Stump-Kurnick is the first female police chief at a state of Florida public university. A native of Lafayette, Indiana, Chief Stump holds a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Ball State University, a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from Purdue University, and is also a graduate from Florida and Indiana Law Enforcement Academies and the FBI National Academy. In addition, she is a graduate of the first Crisis Leadership in Higher Education course at Harvard University.
Under Chief Stump's helm, many new safety and security measures have been implemented. The university has a clear bag policy for the stadium events, requiring background screenings of all event personnel and enhancing perimeter protection by closing roadways around the stadium for police and emergency medical services use.
“Chief Stump's contributions to the field have made an impact beyond her immediate role by challenging the status quo and inspiring meaningful change,” said NCS4 Director Lou Marciani. “We could not be prouder of her and the entire police department at the University of Florida on their achievements.”
For more information about the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), visit http://www.ncs4.com.