Two Honored for Decades of Service

Two members of the area law enforcement community were honored Thursday for their combined 50 years of educational service.

Zane State professors Tom Holdren and Mike Watton each have more that 30 years of law enforcement experience that they’ve shared with hundreds of students over the last few decades.

Holdren is retiring this week and Watton is retiring next year. Thursday at Zane State College a ceremony was held recognizing their service.

"It’s a very special time in my life, as I’ve thought many times as I approached retirement it’s going to be a great thing for me to be able to reflect on the portion of my life that I’ve spent at Zane State College. It’s been a great place to work. It’s a great place for people to come to be educated and as our slogan says, "You can start here and go anywhere," says Tom Holdren.

Zane State is working toward naming the law enforcement laboratory after the two, which they say is an unexpected honor.

"When Tom and I were first approached we had problems trying to justify a building with our names on it, but it’s really not about us. It’s about our students, their accomplishments far exceed anything he or I have ever done," says Mike Watton.

At the event Mayor Butch Zwelling proclaimed both Holdren and Watton "Citizens of the Day."