Northridge Campus police officer gives his time and soul

One of the outstanding characteristics of the ACC Northridge Campus is not only the 8600 students in attendance there, but also the presence of Sergeant Donald E. Seamster of the Campus Police. Seamster is head of security at the campus and has worked with ACC for 10 years.

Seamster retired from the army as a public affairs officer 12 years ago, and then moved from Denver to Austin.

Once in Austin, Seamster decided to take a job with ACC in the security department. "I wanted to give the students and faculty a safe environment to study and work," said Seamster. He is now the supervisor for both the Northridge and Cypress Creek campuses.

Aside from his daily job of keeping the peace on two ACC campuses, Seamster is CEO of Bobbie Johnson Productions, a production company comprised of four choral groups that tour throughout Texas and Louisiana.

Founded by Bobbie Johnson, a former student at ACC, BJP's four groups are separated by age level: Voices of Faith is made up of adult singers, Voices of Heaven with college students, Voices of Angels with high school students and Voices of Praise is comprised of child singers middle school-age and younger.

Voices of Faith is currently recording an album to be released later in the year.

Growing up with gospel music, Seamster sang in school and then later in the military. Seamster's wife, Beatrice, was a singer in the choir when they met, and joining BJP was a simple decision, he said.

The month of February is the busiest for the company as many clients celebrate Black History Month.

One such booking, "Gospel Extravaganza" will be held at the ACC Eastview Campus, Feb. 25. The event will feature two musical sets. The first will feature gospel groups from Austin and surrounding areas and will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. The second half of the event begins with Gospel Determinators, a group from Louisiana.

Gospel Extravaganza was started five years ago as a way to acknowledge Black History Month at an ACC campus. With all the Black History Month events scheduled at ACC, the Gospel Extravaganza on Feb. 25 looks to be the biggest.

Seamster will be involved in this celebration. A segment of the event, called "A Stroll Down Memory Lane," will feature him and his wife.