LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Judith Sturges, associate professor of administration of justice at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, has retired after 20 years of service.
Originally from New England, Sturges was hired in 1999 after receiving a master’s degree in sociology and a doctorate degree in criminology from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Sturges served as the program coordinator for Administration of Justice from 2007 to 2018. She has taught 24 courses and directed several undergraduate research projects at Penn State — most recently, a study with alumnus Tyler Garlick, class of 2016, recently published in Juvenile & Family Court Journal.
“My favorite course to teach was ‘Ethics in Criminal Justice,’” Sturges said. “The course compels students to think about how they think. It makes them assess the ethical demands of a job in criminal justice and whether or not they are capable of doing what is required.”
She has presented research at international conferences, published writing in over 30 refereed journals and textbooks, and has received numerous public and private grants for her work. She has been a member of eight professional associations throughout her career and served on numerous committees and review boards.
Her awards include the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Westmoreland County Community College (2008) and the Scholarly Excellence Award from Penn State Fayette (2006).
What’s next for Sturges?
“For 8 years, I took my granddaughters on ‘Mystery Wednesdays.’ We’d visit a place in nature to discover something new — and I’d document it. I’d like to write that book now,” she said.
“I will miss my students. Our student body is so unique at Penn State Fayette," she added. "They study and work hard to change their lives. I tell them, ‘believe in yourself and you can accomplish whatever you want to attain.’”