Awards Ceremony Honors the Valor of Campus Police Department Staff at New College

Serving communities and saving lives is often quiet work, performed humbly—and, sometimes, thanklessly—by local law enforcement.

Publicly recognizing these efforts means a great deal to those who perform their duties, and New College of Florida does this every year during its Campus Police Department (CPD) awards ceremony.

“Every person at the CPD is supportive of one another and our vision is clear—to provide safety and exceptional service to the communities we serve,” said CPD Sgt. Kelley Masten.

The CPD—led by Interim Chief of Police Capt. Kathleen Vacca—serves and protects New College, the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee and the greater local community. On January 19 in Sainer Pavilion, Masten earned the CPD’s Officer of the Year Award.

“I am truly honored, and I’m thankful to be a part of such a great police department and community,” said Masten, a 12-year CPD veteran who coordinates the department’s social media and the property and evidence unit (and played a key investigative role in a recent high-profile criminal case). “I’m very thankful and lucky to have had people in my life that have both inspired me and influenced me along the way.”

CPD Community Safety Aide Mike Kepto was named Civilian of the Year for 2021.

“I received the reward with very mixed emotions. First, it was an honor to be selected and recognized by my fellow workers. Second, it was a little embarrassing because I was recognized for doing a job that I was hired to do,” said Kepto, who joined the CPD a year ago, and has utilized his extensive criminal investigation background during late-night stakeouts. “I love this job and it is a pleasure to work here, and I feel there are other employees more worthy of this honor.”

Meritorious Lifesaving Awards were given to Officer Pilar Mahady, Sgt. Jennifer Coley, Officer Michael Clary, Officer Ryan Welch and Acting Sgt. John Chirgwin. Clary, Chirgwin and Sgt. Christopher Rivett received Perfect Attendance Awards. Commendation Awards were also distributed to members of the Holmes Beach Police Department, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Ringling Security, and New College Assistant Director of Student Activities and Campus Engagement Lesley Nickels for their assistance with a community-based incident.

“There are few things in life more rewarding than knowing you contributed to saving the life of another,” Chirgwin said of the award he received (for having helped rescue a non-college community member after a Fentanyl overdose). “It’s nice to know that you are appreciated.”

Clary agreed.

“Receiving a Lifesaving Award is extremely gratifying. To realize the award represents an event that I responded to along with Sgt. Coley and Officer Welch, and that we were able to make a difference in a person’s life, makes it even more special,” said Clary, who helped respond to an opioid overdose off-campus. “There are times that we have to respond to a life-threatening or critical event with very little or no time to prepare. I’m thankful that I was able to rely on my training and my team to help save a person’s life on that specific day.”

For more information on the CPD, call 941-487-4210 or visit ncf.edu/police.

Abby Weingarten is the senior editor in the Office of Communications & Marketing.