Five Department of Public Safety Staff Members Promoted

The Department of Public Safety, which serves Fairmont State University and Pierpont Community & Technical College, has promoted five staff members.

“Staff members in the Department of Public Safety have been busy developing new programs and assuming additional responsibilities in our mission of providing quality public safety services to the campus community. These personnel actions are indicative of those accomplishments, and I am very pleased to announce these promotions,” said Chief of Police Jack Clayton.

Matthew Swain has been promoted to the position of Deputy Chief of Police. Swain served as a security officer while a criminal justice student at FSU. Upon his graduation from FSU in 2006, he was appointed as a police officer. He is also a graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy. Prior to this promotion, he served as a police sergeant. In his new position, Swain will continue to provide routine police services as well as serve as the department’s Clery Act Coordinator and provide assistance to the Chief of Police in the management and supervision of police operations.

Derek Stemple has been promoted to the position of Lead Officer. Stemple graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from FSU in 2009. He was appointed as a police officer in 2010 and graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy that same year. In addition to his regular duties, he will be in charge of the Student Security Program and will provide overall direction and leadership to that unit.

Gary DeJong has also been promoted to the position of Lead Officer. Prior to his appointment with this agency in 2011, DeJong retired from the Fairmont Police Department after serving as a police officer for 25 years followed by five years experience in corporate security. In addition to police assignments in the patrol division, he served as a DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) instructor within the elementary school system of Marion County. He attended FSU and is also a graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy. In addition to his regular duties, he will assist in Emergency Management Program functions and serve as an instructor for campus-wide in-service training programs dealing with emergency plans and employee safety issues.

Jessica Kropog Furgason has been promoted to the position of Program Specialist in the Public Safety Department. She is a graduate of FSU with a bachelor’s degree in English. Prior to her employment with the Department of Public Safety, she served as a crime victim advocate with the Marion County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. She continues to serve, on a voluntary basis, as the coordinator of the Marion County Teen Court. In addition to her normal job responsibilities, she will continue program development and serve as a victim advocate for students and staff who become crime victims. She also will serve as executive secretary for the Campus Emergency Response Committee and perform duties as an emergency communications coordinator as part of the Campus Emergency Response Plan.

Kenneth Carder, a recent criminal justice graduate of FSU, was appointed as a police officer in April 2011. He graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy in November 2011 and completed the requirements for certification as a West Virginia Law Enforcement Officer. He has since assumed his duties with the Department of Public Safety.

Jack ClaytonPublic SafetyMatt SwainCampus PoliceDerek StempleGary DeJongJessica Kropog FurgasonKenneth Carder