Editor’s note: The following release and above photo were provided by the Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP).
Kellogg Community College student Ryan Ferguson is among 22 top students who will receive $1,000 college scholarships to encourage their pursuit of law enforcement/public safety careers by the professional public safety officers of the Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP). This is his second LEEP scholarship.
Ferguson graduated 24th out of 137 from Pennfield High School and is pursuing a Criminal Justice degree. The stepson of Battle Creek Police Lt. Jim Martens is a Battle Creek Police Cadet and would like to become a department officer. “Due to this employment, I am convinced more than ever that this is the career path I want to take and that I will be successful in with the help of this scholarship,” Ferguson wrote in his scholarship application.
He received a Letter of Commendation at the Battle Creek Police Department Awards Ceremony for assisting in a June 2014 fatal car crash. Ferguson and his parents came upon a rollover crash and found a woman had been ejected from the vehicle and a baby hanging upside down in her car seat. Lt. Martens safely removed the baby and his wife, Jackie, comforted the child. Ryan and his dad stayed on scene with other victims until emergency personnel arrived at which time the Martens took the baby to the police station and waited until family arrived. “This family performed tasks in an uncompromising manner under unusual circumstances,” the letter of commendation stated.
“As a Junior, I represented my Criminal Justice class by being selected to attend the Michigan State Police Kiwanis Club Career Law Enforcement Academy,” Ferguson wrote. He received certificates for completing Law Enforcement Orientation Program for Michigan High School Students and Criminal Justice courses. He was one of three students from over 100 selected for the prestigious (Michigan State Police) program. “I have trained with many people in my career and would want someone of Ryan’s caliber on my team,” wrote Calhoun Area Career Center Law Enforcement Instructor Martin F. Brown.
A varsity football and basketball player, he was on All City and All Conference football teams. His community work includes: Battle Creek PD Trunk or Treat, Hero Day at Minges Elementary School, and Emergency Response Team; Toys for Tots; youth basketball camps; and Notre Dame religious retreat. He refereed Wattles Park Men’s Club youth basketball games and assisted with security in multiple parades.
Other scholarship winners include: Lena Illig of Alaska; Steven Carlton of Alabama; Kyle Hartsuck of Arizona; Erin Daly of Connecticut; Delaney Henderson of Florida; Faruq Lawal of Georgia; Austin Leggett of Illinois; Samantha Newby of Indiana; Revel Lewis IV and Erik Vokoun of Kentucky; Alexis Hower of Nebraska; Mason Averill, Blake Erickson, Victoria Gunst, Jacob King, Jenna Klokkert and Austin Lynema of Michigan; Philip Grella of New York; Evan Guin of Tennessee; Rankin DeRonde of Texas; and Michaela MacDonald of Wisconsin. In its 12th year, LEEP has awarded some $162,000 in Dream scholarships to students showing a demonstrated interest in public service/law enforcement careers. The nonprofit public safety group’s scholarship program is made possible by a growing list of national supporters.
Visit www.leepusa.com for more information about LEEP programs.