Feature Article
Harold J. Love ’08
Recent Graduate Award Winner
When I began my educational journey at Siena
Heights University in 2006, I was not aware of
Siena’s mission “to assist people to become more
competent, purposeful, and ethical through a
teaching and learning environment which respects the dignity of all.” I also had no idea that
I would be joining a family of individuals so
committed to carrying out the mission.
When I came to Siena, I was eighteen years
into my career with the Michigan State Police
(MSP), which has a mission to “Protect public
safety while respecting the rights and dignity
of all persons.” Although I was not aware of the
Siena mission, and the current MSP mission
statement did not exist when I hired in, I believe
it is no coincidence I was drawn to both of these
outstanding organizations.
As a young man growing up in the City of
Detroit, I learned several significant core values
from my parents and other elders, which still
have a heavy influence on my life today. Both of
my parents showed me how to work hard for the
things I wanted to have or make happen. They
both also demanded I treat others with respect
and showed me how to love and have empathy
for all persons. My mother showed and taught
me on many occasions to stand tall and never
be intimidated when standing up for others in
the name of righteousness.
After graduating from high school in 1982 and
being on my own for a few years, I ultimately
realized the need to do something in which my
efforts made a positive difference in the lives of
others. After working several jobs and taking
numerous courses in community college, fate
led me to a career with the MSP in 1988. I knew
part of a trooper’s job was to help people, but I
had no idea the extent to which people needed
help and how fulfilling my life would become
through my interaction with people while performing my duties.
As a young trooper in Niles, Michigan,