COCJ Alum Receives Highest Honor in Corrections, Continuing Historic Streak
COCJ Alum Receives Highest Honor in Corrections, Continuing Historic Streak
For the third consecutive year, a Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) alum has received the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award from the American Correctional Association, the highest honor bestowed upon a corrections professional in the United States. This year’s recipient, retired Lt. Col. Peter Grande (’91), will be recognized at the 156th Congress of Correction in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in late July.
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award,” said Grande. “As I reflect on previous recipients of this award, the giants in the field of corrections, I am grateful to just follow in their footsteps.”
Grande pursued a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology as an active-duty captain in the United States Army Military Police Corps. He was the 69th military police officer to graduate from SHSU with a master’s degree.
“In addition to my graduate classes, the criminal justice center offered a myriad of learning opportunities,” said Grande. “I was a sponge soaking up every bit of information I could expose myself to. Almost all of my classes were in the evening, but I would wake up and have coffee with George Beto at 6 a.m. to learn how ‘Walking George’ managed the Texas prison system.”
Upon graduation, Grande advanced through various leadership positions in correctional facilities worldwide. He now serves as chief historian of the United States Disciplinary Barracks, where he maintains archives of military corrections records and artifacts.
“I never imagined back in 1974 when I enlisted in the Army as a correctional specialist that I would have such a powerful and rewarding journey in the field of corrections,” Grande said. “Professionally, my journey is far from over. I will continue to grow, learn, mentor and teach with the future leaders in the field of corrections.”
Continuing a legacy of excellence, Grande’s recognition follows that of previous E.R. Cass Correctional Achievement Award honorees, Bryan Collier (‘86), former executive director of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Doug Dretke (‘80), former executive director of the Correctional Management Institute of Texas.
“To share the award with other SHSU graduates makes the award even more special and reflects the strong presence of SHSU-COCJ in our correctional profession,” said Collier.
Their collective success reflects the lasting influence of SHSU-COCJ in the corrections field and beyond.
“This achievement highlights the far-reaching impact our college has had on the field of corrections, producing leaders who shape policy, improve operations and advance best practices across the nation,” Dretke said. “I am deeply humbled and honored to stand alongside my fellow SHSU alumni, Collier and Grande, two of the finest professionals and most respected leaders in our field.”