12 / AMAM.OBERLIN.EDU HIGHLIGHT / MUSEUM SECURITY THE ART OF MUSEUM PROTECTION Standing watch over priceless masterpieces and ensuring the safety of visitors and staff alike, museum security officers play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of cultural institutions, balancing vigilance with approachability as they protect both the tangible and intangible. Frommonitoring surveillance systems to handling unpredictable challenges with calmprofessionalism, museum security keep history and creativity accessible to all. With more than 15,000 works of art in the collection, safety is a top priority at the Allen. The museum takes pride in its highly experienced team of security professionals, who work hard to protect everything the museum has to offer. The team of five has a tightknit bond and communication style that keeps everything running smoothly. Will Grantham Jerry Franciscus Devin Moon Roger Goff is an accomplished veteran, serving the New Jersey National Guard and Georgia Department of Corrections in many positions before settling down in Oberlin. He was hired as the Allen’s Manager of Property Protection in September. Goff was looking for a change after a 24-yearcareer in the military and law enforcement. He was eager to transfer some of the skills he had learned to a different environment. He draws parallels between the two fields: “In corrections, you have to make sure things are secure: inmates don’t escape and no one gets in. Here, we have to protect the collections and people. Public safety is similar.” Leondist DuVall has worked for Oberlin College for 27 years, previously as Campus Safety Supervisor. He brings this wealth of experience at the college to the Allen as Assistant Manager of Property Protection. He works in tandemwith Goff to lead the team of security officers. “I feel like I can excel here; it’s a really good challenge,” DuVall said. “Roger and I have the same vision on how to treat people. I love coming to work and being amazed by such a talented team.” Both DuVall and Goff emphasize the importance of communication within their team. “When we meet in the morning, we put together a game plan fromwhere we left off the day before. We knowwhat we have to do before it happens,” DuVall said. Officer Devin Moon says that consistency is key when it comes to museum operations and security: “We need to be consistently good people, consistently on time, and consistent in our routine as officers.” Moon is outgoing and loves to talk to guests at the Allen. He greets every student and visitor, and focuses on spreading his “positive energy.” He brings his extroverted personality to the Allen from his experience working as a resource officer in charter schools. The security team has fostered a friendly and warm environment among all its members. “The camaraderie we have, as officers, is the camaraderie we want,” Goff said. “Working together with the museum curators and other staffmembers has also been a positive experience.” “I love to pick the brains of the staff who see so many works of art,” said Moon, who dabbles in art himself. “I’m sure I ask the most questions out
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTczNTM=