Stayments Receives Community Service Award

The Corning Community College Development Foundation recently honored SAGU Criminal Justice professor Bruce Stayments with the Parsons Community Service Award. Stayments travelled to Corning, New York, to receive the award during the college’s 50th anniversary homecoming.

“The whole award was an unexpected blessing,” Stayments commented. “It’s nice to be noticed and I appreciate the fact that the college recognized me for the service I was able to do throughout my career. Many people spend much more time doing great acts of service that they’ll never receive any recognition for this side of heaven. I’m very humbled that I was singled out by Corning College and feel very thankful to our Lord that He gave me the direction and ability to serve Him in my various endeavors.”

Stayments received the award in recognition of his career of service that impacted his community. The president/founder of Partnership for Responsible Fathering in Elmira, New York, Stayments developed, formulated, and implemented the Dad School in 1995. This father-specific parenting education program was the first of its kind and used in several agencies. The school was part of the Police department’s Community Service Project.

The program was recognized on “Badge for Courage” and “Family Values” television programs in New York City. The program won national acclaim in a video feature segment called the “Parenting Principle.” Stayments won a Top Cop honor in Parade Magazine for his work with the fathering program. He also won a community policing award from the International Association of Chiefs of Police. In 1998, Stayments was the recipient of National Father of the Year, National Fatherhood Initiative.

Stayments received his associates degree in Criminal Justice from Corning Community College in 1981. He received his bachelor’s degree from Elmira College and master’s degree from John Jay College. Stayments became an ordained minister in 2007.

Prior to coming to SAGU, his employment included serving as an International Police Mentor for the U.S. Department of State. He mentored high-level police officials of the Afghanistan National Police Force in leadership, planning, development of modern police training strategies, and liaison between Afghan Police and United States military officials of Operation Enduring Freedom. Stayments also held various law enforcement positions in Elmira, New York, including Medial Examiner Investigator and Chief of Police.