GV in trenches of terror war

After September 11, 2001, the U.S. goverment looked for leaders from all walks of life. FBI and Department of Justice officials recognized today the ones they found at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. The agencies honored Mark A. Murray, president of Grand Valley, and Dr. Jonathan White, executive director of the Homeland Defense Initiative at Grand Valley for their service at a ceremony at Quantico Marine Base in Virginia.

White is one of the nation's leading authorities on Middle Eastern terrorist groups. The former dean of social sciences at Grand Valley was tapped after 9/11 to increase his work with the Department of Justice's State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program (SLATT). SLATT has the challenge of providing every officer in more than 20,000 law enforcement agencies with anti-terrorism training. Murray, on behalf of Grand Valley, allowed White to serve in a full-time position there, while retaining his connection with the university.

Richard H. Ward, III, deputy director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice, recognized Murray's individual contribution to making this cooperative arrangement possible.

'President Murray, in recognition of the possibility of additional attacks and the desperate need to help prepare our nation's law enforcement officers to confront this threat, not only allowed, but also supported Dr. White in providing his valuable talents and expertise to our nation in a time of need,' said Ward.

The FBI, represented by Acting Assistant Director Patrick Patterson, also recognized Murray and White with special service awards.The one to White came as a complete shock to him, but not to his colleagues.

Patterson said White deserved the honor, 'in recognition of his patriotism, appreciation for his dedication to law enforcement and in acknowledgement of his continued devotion and service to his country in the critical time following the terrorists attacks of September 11, 2001.'

White recently published, Defending the Homeland: Domestic Intelligence, Law Enforcement and Security (Wadsworth Publishing). His other book, Terrorism: An Introduction, was updated following the attacks of 9/11. He is a former SWAT team member and pastor of a church. Interview requests can be arranged through Grand Valley State University's News and Information Services office, 616-331-2221.