Contact: Dr. Donna M. Simon (304) 766-3363 dsimon@wvstateu.edu

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – An expert in law enforcement and military affairs will be leading a discussion of posttraumatic stress disorder beginning at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at West Virginia State University (WVSU).
Dr. Carole Garrison, who currently teaches ethics in criminal justice courses at Eastern Kentucky University, and Kanawha County State Sen. Erik Wells, who is chairman of the Senate Military Committee, will be discussing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and its effects. Wells is also a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy Reserves and has served as a public affairs officer in the Reserves since 2001.
The event will be held in room 134 of the Wilson University Union and is free and open to all WVSU students, staff and faculty, as well as the general public.
PTSD can occur after someone is exposed to a traumatic event such as combat, physical or sexual abuse, serious accidents like a car wreck or following a natural disaster such as a fire, tornado, hurricane or flood.
“This will be a compelling and timely discussion of posttraumatic stress disorder, particularly as it relates to the classroom environment,” said Coston Davis, Director of Military Student Services, Leadership, Mentoring and Judicial Affairs for WVSU. “Dr. Garrison will bring her years of insight and experience working with law enforcement and military personnel to shed some light on this disorder’s causes, effects and treatments.”
Garrison is a former police officer with the Atlanta Bureau of Police Services, where she received the Police Department’s award for Distinguished Service in 1975.
In 1981 she joined the Criminal Justice faculty at the University of Akron and in 1986 served as Commander of a College-Police Academy that tested the State of Ohio’s new Basic Peace Officer Curriculum. She received “Outstanding Faculty” recognition from The University of Akron’s Board of Trustees in 1987, 1991 and 1992. In October 1998 the Governor inducted her into the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame for her work as a social activist.
For more information contact Coston Davis at (304) 766-5149 or .