Jacksonville, AL – Jacksonville State University’s Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation is stepping into the new year with a change of scenery. The department made a significant move during the week before winter break, finding its new home at the Ramona Wood Building, situated on Trustee Circle next to Angle Hall.
For decades, the department had been situated in Brewer Hall, a structure dating back to 1972, initially built for the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy and the former JSU School of Law Enforcement. Following the closure of the Army base at Fort McClellan in 2005, the university acquired Building 3181. While the Northeast Alabama Law Enforcement Academy moved to JSU McClellan, the Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation department remained in Brewer Hall.
The recent shift to the Ramona Wood Building comes as part of a broader reshuffling of university spaces. With the College of Education and Professional Studies relocating to the former site of Kitty Stone Elementary School in Fall 2023, known as the CEPS Complex, an opportunity arose for the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation to secure the vacant Ramona Wood Building.
Dr. Dean Buttram, professor and head of the department, highlighted the growth the department has experienced since the introduction of the Bachelor of Science in Forensic Investigation in 2017. The expansion includes an increase in faculty, students, and course offerings. Excitingly, new degree programs are also in development, promising to sustain the department’s upward trajectory.
Acknowledging the need for additional space, President Killingsworth graciously provided the opportunity for the department to move into the recently vacated Ramona Wood Building. This not only addresses the department’s need for expansion but strategically places it in the heart of the campus, amid vibrant campus life.
Dr. Buttram expressed anticipation for the future, stating, “We can’t wait to see what the future holds for us!” The move to the Ramona Wood Building positions the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation for continued growth and prominence within Jacksonville State University.
While the dean’s office for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences remains in Brewer Hall, along with the Department of Social Work and the Department of Sociology and Political Science, the campus community can look forward to an open house planned for later this spring. During this event, students, faculty, and visitors will have the opportunity to tour the new facilities and witness firsthand the exciting developments within the Department of Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigation.
