Chief Robert Battinkoff had a fun idea to create a project to positively engage with Delta students. 

In spring 2022, Battinkoff reached out to Michael Glowacki, associate professor of graphic design, to establish a contest to revitalize the Public Safety patrol vehicles to look “traditional yet eye-catching.” Glowacki integrated the competition later in the fall semester with his typography and design students.

“I always welcome collaborations like this for graphic design students. Normally, a collaboration like this requires planning a semester or academic year in advance,”
Glowacki said. 

Austin Newbitt, who created the winning design, was chosen by Battinkoff and members of Public Safety and received a $500 honorarium for capturing elements in his work that were unique to Delta. The runner-up, Rylee Forbing, received a $250 honorarium. 

“Public Safety was very impressed with all the designs. There were numerous designs submitted that would have looked great on our patrol vehicles,” Battinkoff said. “However, Austin’s design was fantastic. His design was the unanimous first choice of the department: the combination of color, design and font was very eye-catching. It looked very professional.”