April / May / June 2000

Governor’s Criminal Justice ceremony honors Windham literacy volunteers

The Fifth Annual Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award Ceremony recognized 20 volunteers who have made outstanding contributions to TDCJ’s mission of providing public safety, promoting positive change in behavior, and reintegrating offenders into society. TDCJ agencies annually nominate top volunteers for these honors, and the Volunteer Coordination Committee selects recipients in various award categories.

Awards were presented in Houston before the opening of the Restorative Justice Ministry Conference. Winner of WSD’s "Judy Burd Volunteer Award" was Basil "Mr. Mac" McKithan, a Gatesville resident who has tutored offenders at the Murray and Mountain View units since 1997. A former Air Force pilot instructor and retiree of the Missouri Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads, McKithan wanted to use his unique experiences to help incarcerated students improve their lives. He has been a literacy and math tutor, helping offenders earn GEDs.

This award memorializes the late Judy Burd, a coordinator of WSD’s Volunteer program, the developer of WSD’s CHANGES program, and co-developer of WSD’s nationally-known Cognitive Intervention program.

Kenneth and Sandy Armstrong received TDCJ’s Carol S. Vance Volunteer of the Year Award, named after a former chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. For three years, the Armstrongs have tutored literacy students through WSD. They also initiated and coordinated a literacy program for the chaplaincy department, and Kenneth serves as a volunteer chaplain at the Johnston Unit.

"We appreciate the time and service of all of our volunteers," said WSD Volunteer Coordinator Brian Cox.

Basil McKithan

Windham’s "Judy Burd Volunteer Award" is accepted by Murray Unit Principal Linda Gise on behalf of Basil McKithan. Presenting the award at the Governor’s volunteer awards ceremony is the Rev. Manson Johnson, Commissioner of the Texas Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service.

Award-winning volunteers (center) Kenneth and Sandy Armstrong are congratulated by WSD Deputy Superintendent (left) John Spencer and WSD Volunteer Coordinator Brian Cox. The Armstrongs were named TDCJ’s "Carol S. Vance" Volunteers of the Year after serving as literacy volunteers for WSD and other TDCJ programs.