Several Howard Payne University criminal justice students recently attended a lecture by Elizabeth Smart at a luncheon hosted by the Alliance for Women and Children in Abilene.

Smart first received national attention in 2002 when, at the age of 14, she was abducted from her home near Salt Lake City. She was rescued nine months later. Today, she serves as president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, through which she works to prevent future crimes against children.

“Many of us still vividly remember following Elizabeth Smart’s harrowing ordeal through television and newspaper reports,” said Lynn Humeniuk, associate professor of criminal justice/sociology and director of HPU’s criminal justice program. “She has become a force for positive action and it was a great blessing to hear her speak.”

Pictured above: HPU Criminal Justice students and faculty who attended were (back row) Patricia Boisse, junior from Blanket; Adrianna Perez, senior from Rowlett; Danyel Bradley, junior from Desoto; Paola Guzman, senior from Brownwood; Christina Calleros, junior from Brownwood; and Sylvia Nowlin, junior from Coleman; (front row) Cynthia Givan, administrative assistant for English and criminal justice; Elizabeth Smart and Lynn Humeniuk, associate professor of criminal justice/sociology and director of HPU’s criminal justice program.