As many roads as Col. Sandy Karsten has driven during the past three decades, she's now steering the entire fleet that comprises the Missouri Highway Patrol.
"I've been on patrol 31 years, and it all started when I was 17," she told a gathering at Westminster College on Wednesday.
Karsten is the first female superintendent of the agency which employs 1,200 "ladies and gentlemen who enforce the law." She was sworn in March 14 by Associate Circuit Court Judge Carol England.
"I'm the first colonel to receive not just one bunch of flowers, but many," she said, laughing.
Karsten also received more than a few congratulatory telephone calls, including one from a man she dubbed "Bobby," whom she long ago arrested on more than one occasion.
"(He said), 'When I saw you on TV, I told my wife, 'I used to go to jail with her,'" Karsten said of their conversation, and said he added: "I've matured a lot since then."
Karsten's story, she said, illustrated how connections with people and the importance of treating them with respect and dignity are critical.
Another call came in November from a former trooper whose life had taken a different path. That person called Karsten again in December after the former MSHP superintendent - J. Bret Johnson - announced retirement plans.
"He said, 'I've been working with the transition team,'" Karsten said, referencing now-Gov. Eric Greitens' team. "He said, 'I encourage you to submit your interest in that position.'"
Karsten did, and was appointed superintendent Feb. 1, fulfilling a dream she had since she was 17 years old and a member of the American Legion Patrol Cadet Academy.
"It's a program that inspired me," Karsten said. " But I also had a calling to serve."
Karsten was appointed a trooper Sept. 1, 1985, a member of the 57th recruit class and was one of seven female troopers at the time. Her career began as an officer for Troop F in Callaway County, where she served nine years. She met her husband Tim, a teacher and coach, and they married at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury in Fulton. They had two sons. Ironically, Karsten said she wrote the patrol's policy regarding pregnant troopers.
She shared with Westminster students some important lessons she learned while following her career path. One is to venture out from comfort zones.
"You know, there are times you have to get out of your comfort zone in order to grow," she said.
Karsten told students to leave a legacy and mentioned two of the attendees at her swearing-in ceremony were two of the first female state troopers ever. One of those women showed Karsten a photograph of her in a skirted uniform - required wear for female troopers - even while working snowy winter highways.
"I know she went through a lot of struggles to make my road smoother," Karsten said.
Karsten's message to students to be honest, be themselves and not to complain about circumstances without offering solutions resonated with student Reese Leech, a senior from St. Louis majoring in English and creative writing.
"I really liked it," she said. "Maybe none of those suggestions work, but at least people know you're thinking about it."
Jonathan Lee, a junior from Oklahoma, also attended the lecture. He is a security studies major with an emphasis on homeland security. He had a lengthy conversation with Karsten after her talk.
"It was fantastic; I found her very inspiring," he added. "I especially enjoyed her answers to my questions, about having a personal, respectful approach."
Lee said he's applied for an internship with the U.S. Marshals Service in Jefferson City.
"I'm waiting for a call back this week," he said.
One student asked Karsten just how fast one can exceed the speed limit before expecting a ticket.
"I'm asking for a friend," she quipped.
Karsten said troopers have a lot of discretion and make those decisions on the spot.
"There are no mandatory tickets," she added. "We want to leave a person feeling valued and respected in that encounter."
