Awards were presented to 18 individuals whose work has stood out.

Photo: Left to right, former police chief Cleveland Barnes and President Bruce Jarrell

University leadership, external partners, and even a former University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) police chief came to Westminster Hall on Oct. 21 to celebrate UMB Police and Public Safety’s 50-year history, while spotlighting new award winners who continue adding to the department’s legacy of service.  

Reflecting on the Past

As guests arrived, a slideshow of archival photos played — black-and-white snapshots of officers in crisp uniforms, vintage patrol cars, and early campus scenes. Slowly, the newsprint photos transitioned to vibrant color photos of the department’s officers in recent years, showing a transformation of service through the past five decades.

“Westminster Hall is a special place for me, it’s the place where I was sworn in as chief, and it brings back a lot of good memories to see good friends in this space,” said Thomas Leone, MSL, assistant vice president for public safety and chief of police. He honored former chief Cleveland Barnes, who joined the department in 1971 and rose through the ranks to take the top job from 2007 to 2009.

UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, led attendees on a walk down memory lane. After calling Barnes on stage, the pair showed historical photos of what the University looked like in 1975 and reflected on how the police department helped shape what UMB has become today.

“This campus has changed dramatically and it’s rare that we ever step back and look at all of that,”Jarrell said. “It’s a remarkable transformation. It’s happened for a lot of reasons, but one of the most important reasons it’s happened is because of all of you — that you’ve made it a safe place to be here, to recruit faculty, staff, and students, and to make it feel like a community.

"You’re the glue that holds us all together,” Jarrell continued, “and my hat’s off to you for the many wonderful things you do.”

Honoring Service and Growth

Westminster Hall rang with applause as Leone recognized employees celebrating milestone years of service — from five years to more than 20 years — followed by those who have been promoted or transferred within UMB Public Safety and the department’s newest members.

UMB Fire Marshal Andrew Roberts, chair of the department’s awards committee, took the podium to present the evening’s honors. Roberts noted that the committee received over 40 nominations this year and selected 18 individuals whose exceptional work truly stood out.

“While this ceremony is long overdue,” Roberts said, “it’s a reminder of just how many remarkable things have happened within our department over the past few years.”

Awards Winners

Community Commendation Award: Presented to community members who demonstrate valuable or courageous assistance to UMB Police and Public Safety.

• Thomas Abrams, PhD
  UMB Police and Public Safety Citizen’s Advisory Committee Chair

Life-Saving Award: Presented to those whose actions result in saving or attempting to save human life by rescue-related or medically related efforts.

• Response to a medical emergency that occurred in the Francis King Carey School of Law.
  • Jason Hess, Student Affairs Director
    (Community Commendation Award and Life-Saving Award)
  • Cpl. Brandon Williams
• Response to a medical emergency that occurred in the Plaza Garage.
  • Cpl. Roosevelt Hammett
  • Cpl. Tremell Jones
  • PCO Kayla Key
  • PCO Jennifer Owusu-Sekyere
• Response to a juvenile in crisis.
  • PFC Richard Allen

Distinguished Service Award: Presented to those who have completed more than 15 years of exemplary and honorable service. The member’s attendance, performance, and interpersonal skills are considered for this award.

• Security officer Evelyn Greenhill
• Cpl. John R. Jones
• Security officer Annette Tate

Meritorious Award: Presented to those distinguished by exceptionally worthy service in the performance of a duty of great or unusual initiative.

• Sgt. Michael Blue
• Cpl. Jim Brown
• Security supervisor Tamika Hudson
• Clery compliance coordinator Allison Shelley
• Fire inspector Anney Smith

Commendation Award: Presented to those distinguished through extraordinary or unusual performance in connection with their duty.

• Office Manager Chelsea Jarrard

Leadership Award: Presented to employees in nonsupervisory roles who provide leadership or mentoring, team-building, or facilitating a team or project that enhances the organization.

• Executive assistant Krishauna Greene

The Night’s Top Honors

The ceremony’s most anticipated moment arrived as Roberts announced the winners of the 2025 Employees of the Year — chosen from the department’s 2025 award winners for exemplifying professionalism, integrity, and dedication.

• Partner of the Year: Downtown Partnership of Baltimore
• Professional Staff of the Year: Chelsea Jarrard
• Supervisor of the Year: Tamika Hudson
• Security Officer of the Year: Evelyn Greenhill
• Police Officer of the Year: PFC Richard Allen

Delight shone on the surprised winners’ faces as they approached the leadership team to receive their awards.

A Legacy for the Future

In her closing remarks, Dawn M. Rhodes, DBA, chief business and finance officer and senior vice president, spoke about the department’s enduring commitment to service.

“For the past 50 years, the members of the department have embodied what it means to serve,” Rhodes said. “This goes beyond the oath officers take and the badges on their chest. It is a commitment I see every morning when a friendly security officer says, ‘Good morning.’ It is a commitment that is heard when our PCOs answer the phone ready to help. It is a commitment I feel when our fire marshal and his team usher us to safety during a fire alarm. … You are working together to make UMB a safer, more vibrant community.”

As the formal program concluded, Public Safety award winners clutched their certificates and pins as they mingled with attendees. The historical slideshow photos played once more.

The faces in these photos may have changed over the past 50 years, but the department’s mission, commitment, and community spirit remain as strong as ever.