LIVONIA, MICH. – On Wednesday night, the Madonna community gathered for their annual Blue Mass to honor their Criminal Justice alumni, creating a celebration rooted in faith, education, family, friendship, and community.
Held at the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Chapel at the Felician Sisters’ Motherhouse, the Mass was followed by a reception dinner and the Wall of Honor Induction Ceremony, where Chief John Piggott of the Farmington Hills Police Department and former Canton Police Chief Chad Baugh were recognized for their distinguished service.
“I think it’s nice to see people that I’ve worked with that have already been nominated, to walk in and see that fellowship with other officers and other command officers and chiefs,” said Chief Piggott. “To know that they went through the same thing and that there is a community out there that believes in these things of integrity and faith and community service.”
A 2006 Madonna graduate with a Master of Science in Business Administration and Law Enforcement Management, Piggott spoke highly of his three years within the program, emphasizing the faith-based education and the role it plays in his career.
“That is important to me, especially in our profession, that integrity and faith has something to do with our education,” he continued. “To see that carry out and to see people that were much lower in rank now ascend into positions of authority, [knowing] that there are good men and women out there that are in our communities and in our police departments leading in this way.”
The second inductee, former Chief Baugh, shared a similar sentiment when recounting his time in the Criminal Justice program.
“My Madonna memories are pretty exceptional,” he said. “I became a Catholic while I was here at Madonna, I got married while I was going to school here, [and] I met some wonderful priests and sisters.”
Baugh credits his education for showing him what it means to serve with faith. “Being a police officer, you definitely need that guidance and [Madonna University] really set the path for me.”
Also inducted into the Wall of Honor were Michael Carlson, former chief of police of the Northville Police Department, and Robert Pfannes, chief of police of the Romulus Police Department. Neither honoree was able to attend the ceremony.
The ceremony brought the number of Madonna University’s Wall of Honor inductees to 95. Victor Lauria, assistant professor, chairperson, and director of the Criminal Justice program, emphasized that the significance of Blue Mass is twofold.
“Number one is to honor the people that have had very distinguished careers and have achieved the rank of Chief of Police or similar,” he said. “The other part, where I get a lot of meaning, is how important and instrumental the education these people have received through Madonna is—not only in the criminal justice program, but through the liberal arts curriculum—to make them well-rounded individuals.”
The sense of community and togetherness fostered by such an event is part of what draws people to it—even those not directly associated with the university. Three members of the Westland Police Honor Guard attended at the request of their police chief, Kyle Dawley, a previous Wall of Honor inductee. Dawley noted that he hopes the event will become an annual tradition for him and his staff.
“I think [the event] is wonderful,” said Sue Rokosz, a member of Madonna’s Board of Trustees. Her late father served as a Detroit police officer for almost 40 years, making the Blue Mass very special. “To have it here on campus where you give degrees in criminal justice and it’s just so impactful for the community to see our officers.”
A night of prayer, shared stories, and recognition, Madonna University’s Blue Mass highlights the Criminal Justice program’s commitment to educating leaders of both service and integrity. The evening serves as a reminder to alumni, their families, and the wider community that faith and education continue to guide those who protect and serve.
