After eleven years of working as Chief of Campus Police, Tom Younce is retiring this July.

“I’ve been in law enforcement for about 43 years now.  My wife recently retired, so we decided to move to another page in our lives,” Younce said.

Younce came to the University in October of 2000.  He took over as chief of the campus police department when he came to the University.  His retirement is effective on July 1 of this year.

“I have always and will always love N.C. State.  This was a really difficult decision to make, but it’s time for me to move on,” Younce said.

Younce said that he has plans to work and travel once he retires. 

“Usually when people retire, traveling is kind of the go-to thing.  I’ll be doing some of that, as well as some consulting work,” Younce said.

Younce worked closely with Student Government on many issues and has been very involved in University athletics, especially the gymnastics team.  He said that he has enjoyed traveling and watching the team grow.

“I will miss all of the students that I have had the chance to work with.  I am a police officer first, and sometimes that means making arrests, but I have had the chance to work with the students a lot.  This is an excellent campus and all of the students I’ve encountered have been great to work with,” Younce said.

There is currently not a replacement for the chief position, according to Jon Barnwell, patrol division commander for campus police.

“Chief Younce has taken us to a flagship department that is recognized all over the country as a place where things get done.  I hope that in his absence, we take his vision and stay progressive as we move on as a department,” Barnwell said.

Barnwell said that Younce made a great impact on his own career.  The two have worked together since Younce came to the University in 2000.

“He has been the greatest boss that I’ve ever had.  The impression he has made on my professional career cannot be measured.  We’re all going to miss him and we wish him well,” Barnwell said.

Since Younce became chief, there have been a lot of good changes in the campus police department, according to Barnwell. Many people in the department recognize Younce as a mentor.

“The thing I’ll miss the most is his willingness to listen to the thoughts and ideas of everyone.  He valued everyone’s input when making decisions, and that is a rare thing,” Barnwell said.

Younce said that he would miss the campus environment after he retires.     

“This is a really unique environment, especially for law enforcement.  I have worked with a top quality department here,” Younce said.

Younce said, among other things, he will definitely miss the football stadium.

“Yesterday, I went by the football stadium.  Standing there and looking at that field, I realized I am really going to miss it,” Younce said. “I don’t know what it is about that football field, but I just love the feeling I get standing right there. That’s something I will miss.”