NEWS ARCHIVE Office of Communications 470C Wohlers Hall College of Business

College of BusinessCommerce News

May 1, 2002 -- News Brief

Commerce Council and Journey donate camera

The University of Illinois Police Department is better equiped because of a recent donation of two crime-fighting tools. Due to the combined efforts of Commerce Council, other campus groups, some individual supporters, and an organization named Journey, the department recently installed video cameras in two squad cars. Journey -- with the fund-raising support of Commerce Council and other organizations -- was also responsible for purchasing two other cameras for the department last year. The cameras cost approximately $3,600.

Journey is a small organization that is creating a grassroots effort to help ensure the safety of people traveling the streets and highways of Illinois. The group was created in memory of Jennifer Esworthy, an Illinois CBA graduate, and Jackie Esworthy, an in-coming freshman, both of whom were killed by a drunk driver several years ago. Barbara Esworthy, mother of both of the girls, is a staff member at the college. In addition to the four cameras donated to the University of Illinois Police, Journey has purchased 13 cameras for the Champaign County Sheriff's Office. Shown here making the presentation in late April are (l-r): Esworthy, Todd Short, a UI Police Department member, Chris Jauch, a CBA senior, Pnina Steiner, a Commerce Council advisor, and Lois Meerdink, also a Commerce Council advisor.

The aims of Journey are to:

• Decrease alcohol-related injuries and deaths on Illinois streets and highways, and help the courts to prosecute offenders by funding the purchase of video cameras for police cars.
• Unite with other charitable organizaitons who share our goals and concerns.
• Increase public awareness by researching the most effective court models in Illinois and the nation.

Commerce Council, a group of 100-150 CBA students, selected Journey as one of their philanthropic causes during the past 4 years. Council members have organized dunk tanks, raffles, and other events to raise money for Journey. Since it was founded in 1973, Commerce Council has been the premier student service organization in the College. Members plan a variety of activities, ranging from job-shadowing and peer advising and help organize business career fairs, graduation ceremonies, and Homecoming festivities. The organization invites guest speakers to meetings, arranges many socials throughout the year, participates in philanthropies, and makes itself useful to the college and community in numerous ways. Meerdink and Steiner, advisors to Commerce Council, are director and associate director of the Career Service office in the college.