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| Rick Obernesser, associate director of the National Park Service, was the keynote speaker at the NPS-Seasonal Law Enforcement Training graduation ceremony for his daughter, Stephanie, on Dec. 4 at Southwestern Community College’s Public Safety Training Center in Franklin. |
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| Graduates of the NPS-SLET Class 95 at SCC include, front row, from left: Jonathan D. Allbach of Asheville; Carl E. Ausprung, Sussex, Wisc.; Richard R. Berowski, Little Falls, NY; Alfred W. Brown, Yarmouth Port, Mass.; Matthew W. Conway, Eminence, Mo.; and Benjamin Davi, Boston, Mass. Middle row, from left: Isaac J. Galvez, Akron, Ohio; Kevin A. Godfrey, Fredericksburg, Va.; Joshua E. Martin, Newport News, Va.; Garrett A. Miller, Thurmont, Md.; Kevin W. NeSmith, Sylva; Stephanie A. Obernesser, Glennallen, Alaska; and James C. Owens, Crouse. Back row: Ethan B. Palmer, Stonington, Conn.; Leonardo D. Rivera, Jacksonville; Blake S. Salter, Miami, Fla.; Randall J. Smith, Suffolk, Va.; Ryan W. Verhegge, Bluff City, Tenn.; Matthew T. Wineland, Valdaraiso, Ind.; and Matthew S. Wineteer, New Athens, Ill. |
Rick Obernesser had a wide variety of reasons to be in Franklin for the National Park Service-Seasonal Law Enforcement Training graduation ceremony on Dec. 4.
As associate director of the NPS, Obernesser had a vested interest in the outcome of this pilot training as it marked an increase from 400 to 650 hours – equaling the number of hours expected of permanent rangers.
Obernesser also had served as a part-time faculty member for SCC’s program in the late 1980s.
But perhaps the greatest single draw for one of the NPS’ highest-ranking officials was sitting in the third row. His daughter, Stephanie, was the only female among the 20 graduates who were honored for completing the intense four-month program.
“I’m very grateful for the wonderful human being she is, and for the blessing she has been to our family,” Rick Obernesser said. “I’m pretty darn proud.”
He also gave SCC high marks for its role in delivering the first-of-its-kind training.
“I’m very impressed with the program here,” Rick Obernesser said. “I met with all the students before the ceremony and talked to them about the program. That’s where the rubber meets the road, and they had nothing but positive things to say.”
Southwestern first offered SLET in 1978, but the 95th class marked a significant change in approach.
The 20 graduates who came from as far away as Alaska and Massachusetts got significantly more training than their predecessors in seven critical areas: legal, behavioral science, enforcement operations, patrol procedures/scenarios, firearms (pistols, rifles, shotguns), driving and physical techniques for subject control.
The younger Obernesser said her favorite part was the woodland operations and tracking segment.
“The program was absolutely fantastic,” she said. “I came in not knowing what to expect, and it was a lot more than I ever thought it could have been. We had a great cadre and group of students. In addition all of the part-time instructors were extremely professional and knowledgeable. There have been a tremendous number of benefits from attending this program, the most prevalent being everyone here cares about your future.”
She said the most difficult aspect of training had to do with physical tactics but that instructors helped her with advice for different approaches since she was smaller than her male counterparts.
When the training got particularly challenging, she had the perfect person to call for support.
“He’s obviously a very loving, caring father,” she said. "He has a wealth of knowledge to share with me, but most importantly he has always been there to act as a sounding board.”
Many of the graduates planned to say in Franklin for firefighting training, and they all hope to find jobs with the NPS soon afterward.
“We could not have asked for a better group of students for this pilot training program,” said Don Coleman, NPS-SLET program coordinator. “Not only did they make the most out of this unprecedented training, but they helped us learn so much about how to deliver an even better program in the future.”
For more information about programs offered through the SCC-PSTC, visit www.southwesterncc.edu/pstc
or call 828.306.7041.
