Mark Lopez, police captain, sent a message to share thanks he had received and add his own appreciation to Barbara Szabo, department assistant and the Brookhaven College Police Officers

I received a thank you card from the Hispanic Heritage Club for the Police Department. I feel that this should actually go to Officer Antonio "Pretty Tony" Alcala. I asked Tony, when he started, if he would be interested in being a representative of the department in this student club. He agreed and has done an outstanding job working with this group of students. The thank you note pointed out things such as helping the student club obtain a discounted price on the tamales they sell for club fund-raising, obtaining salsa music for the international day celebration, and even participating with the student club to achieve their 30 Days of Service commitment. I want to congratulate Tony on a job well done and encourage him to keep up the good work.

Another officer I would like to recognize is Corporal Bart "Buzz Lightyear" Scott. Bart was dispatched to the Student Services Center on a theft. When he arrived, he found that someone had stolen the credit cards of one of our employees. Bart immediately began to tell the victim to cancel the cards and began an investigation. Within 30 minutes, Bart and the complainant had found the trail that the thief was leaving with her cards. The complainant came to the office and stated to me, "Bart is the bomb. He went with me to the locations to see about getting video or pictures and help me look in all the trash cans to see if I could find my purse. He went out of his way to help me." Thank you, Bart for your well done, well-thought-out job.

Captain Mark Lopez

From an e-mail from Dr. Richard McCrary, interim president

Today as I was leaving the college to go to the Board meeting, I was stopped by someone I assumed was a student looking for where to mail some letters. As it was easier for me to take them into Building A to mail them rather than asking her to go around the building into the front door, I told her I would mail them. As I was approaching the back door, she began to tell me how nice everyone at Brookhaven College is and that she wanted to write to the president. I told her I knew the president quite well and handed her my card. I think each of you will be interested to read what she wrote, particularly as she is not truly our student.

Dear Dr. McCrary,

Thank you so much for mailing my letters for me today! That was really nice. Not surprising though. I cannot begin to tell you the kindness that the people at this college have shown me, a non-student. It has been one thing after another. I have never seen this treatment like this in abundance in a college like I have been treated here.

First, there is the librarian, John Flores. The guy is incredible. He is very patient and helpful. He spent lots of time helping me with my resume, letters of reference, and other things as well. Knowing that I wasn't a student. I am humbled. He is ALWAYS without fail there for me.

Secondly, I went into the Advising Office recently and told the receptionist that I needed to speak to a counselor, but that I wasn't a student. She immediately went to the back and spoke with Beverly (Neu Menassa). Beverly spent around 45 minutes, (or longer), with me knowing that I wasn't a student. She could have made $100 for that therapy. She was so nice and professional. She did several different things to try and help me. I am very appreciative.

Thirdly, I have been into the health clinic a few times when I wasn't feeling well, and they have always been gracious in giving me Aleve or whatever I need. Knowing that I wasn't a student.

Fourthly, a man in an office upstairs in the first building out front, (I can't remember the name of the department), let me use the phone there for a long time and provided a phone book. He was so kind. Again, he knew that I wasn't a student.

Fifthly, I believe this man's name is Tim Johnson. And, he talked with me for awhile, again knowing that I wasn't a student, to try and see what kind of help that I needed and where to direct me. Very kind person.

The police department has been very professional and nice to me as well. They are obviously well trained.

It seems that the kindness and professionalism is not just on the part of the faculty. A young student overheard a conversation that I had with a man concerning my struggles. A few minutes later she comes over and hands me $20. I was floored. How caring! Also, another student, a nursing student, after hearing of my struggles gave me $20. It seems that wherever I turn in this college, mercy is shown to me. It is amazing. I have never seen anything like this in a community college to a non-student.

I just wanted to write to you and let you know what outstanding people that you have on staff here, and quite kind students as well. The reason that I am at the library so much on campus is because my computer is broken, and I need to use the computer until I can buy another one.

Whatever you are doing in your training, keep it up. It's obviously working!!

Kindest regards,

Lila Shelby