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The Rice Thresher
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by Mark Berenson thresher staff Former Rice University Police Chief Mary Voswinkel died Oct. 20 after a short battle with brain cancer. She is survived by her husband Maurice Bard, and her son, Leslie Wayne Voswinkel. Voswinkel joined the University Police in 1978 as an assistant chief, and in 1985 she was promoted to chief, a position she held until her retirement in fall 1999. She is credited with redefining the University Police by emphasizing community-oriented policing. During Voswinkel's tenure the University Police formed the College Officer program, the Campus Watch program and the Rape Aggression Defense program, a self-defense course for women. Voswinkel also started an assessment program to hire new officers in which members of the community, including students, rate potential officers. "[In the assessment center], the representatives that come and sit on the board see how officers would react to situations, and they get to pick which officers they feel more comfortable with," Sgt. Les Hulsey, who worked with Voswinkel for six years, said. Voswinkel was recognized both within and outside of Rice for her efforts to improve the University Police. In 1992, Rice named her Administrator of the Year. In both 1996 and 1998, the University Police were honored by the State of Texas for its work as an outstanding crime prevention agency. Those who knew Voswinkel said she was much more than just a recipient of awards. "For a little lady, she had mighty big shoes. ... She had the department in tune with the university, so my role was to pick up the ball and keep it rolling," University Police Chief Bill Taylor, Voswinkel's successor, said. "Her interest was in the students and making sure that it wasn't an 'us against them' department," Hulsey said. Hulsey also said that Voswinkel had a tremendous effect on him personally. "She broke me in right, and she counseled with me a few times about my style, and I finally came around and saw the light, and I really enjoy what I've learned from her. "I realized how much of a difference it makes conforming to her type of policing. Before, it was usually a negative encounter, and now it is almost 95 percent positive," Hulsey said. Jones College President Avinash Pinto, a senior, echoed Hulsey's sentiments. "She really cared about students. When I approached her initially, I thought she would be authoritative and take the side of authority. But she understood where I was coming from, which was a student's perspective, and she was always acting as a proponent of the student." Voswinkel's influence was felt beyond the police department. Athletic Director Bobby May recalled Voswinkel as a firm supporter of athletics and a great asset to Rice. "She was one that we worked with closely because of our security needs, and she was willing to do whatever it took. She will surely be missed," May said. President Malcolm Gillis remembered Voswinkel as an extremely influential and successful person. "I've known a few campus police chiefs, and heard of many others, but I have never known of another campus chief who was as in tuned with the University, and especially the students."
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