Criminal Justice

This scholarship fund has been created in the memory of J.J. Sturm, a retired sergeant from the Greensboro, N.C. Police Department at the time of his death in 2019. Sgt. Sturm’s career spanned 28 years, some of which he was able to share with his son. Together, their commitment to Catholic education and the law enforcement profession were foundational in the creation of this scholarship.

Preference for the annual scholarship award of $1,000 will be given to a current Belmont Abbey College student who is the son or daughter of active or retired law enforcement officer(s) and majoring in Criminal Justice. Others may be eligible including the son/daughter of active/retired law enforcement in another major, or a current Criminal Justice major planning to pursue a career in law enforcement.

Click here to apply.

In December 2016 Belmont Abbey College, the Gaston County Police Department and Gaston County Schools announced the James W. Buie Scolarship. The Gaston County Police Department will establish an initial fund at the College from drug forfeitures. The goal of the scholarship is to increase diversity in the department with minority and female applicants receiving priority. The Police Department, Gaston County Schools and Belmont Abbey will, for the first two years of the program select a current rising junior and one incoming freshman for this prestigious scholarship. High school seniors in Gaston County can receive applications from high school counselors.

CJ students have the opportunity to complete an Internship for academic credit. The majors have discussions with their advisers about the area of the system they would like to pursue: law enforcement, courts, corrections, juvenile justice, drug counseling, private investigations, etc. The student and their adviser work together to identify an appropriate position and submit an application. The majors are strongly encouraged to do the “leg work” as this is a good experience for them to hone their job-seeking skills. The internship is presented to the adviser for approval.

James Buie ’86

Formerly a Chief of Gaston County Police Department, and the county’s first African-American chief, Buie recently retired from Gaston County and served the department for 29 years. Buie is the namesake for the Belmont Abbey College Criminal Justice scholarship (see below) that provides for an education at Belmont Abbey College as well as employment after graduation. When asked to reflect on his time with Belmont Abbey College Chief Buie had this to say:  

“As a Belmont Abbey Alumni, I often reflect back on the value of my time spent there and how much of an impact it had in my career as an officer and Police Chief. Although I did not realize it at the time, It was through the Abbey that my subconscious was being developed into a consciousness of integrity, which is a must in the field of criminal justice.   A career in Criminal Justice is very rewarding but demands a commitment to virtue.  It’s a field so varied, from accident investigator to a U.S. Marshall, that there is enough to capture the most inquisitive mind to the most detail-oriented individual. Most importantly, it is now and will always be one of the cornerstones to maintaining our democracy and preserving an orderly society.”