About Us

Dr. William E. Thornton is currently Professor Emeritus of Criminology and Sociology in the Department of Criminology and Justice at Loyola University New Orleans. He served as professor and Chairperson of the department for several decades; his teaching has covered a wide range of undergraduate and graduate courses and topics in the discipline s of criminology, sociology, and criminal justice including security and crime prevention. 

Dr. Thornton also has been engaged in forensic criminology consulting offering over 40 years of experience in expert consulting with attorneys, insurance companies, public/governmental agencies/organizations, and private businesses regarding inadequate and negligent security claims, crime foreseeability, security assessments, and development and implementation of security/crime prevention planning. Over the course of his career he has authored/co-authored numerous publications including books, book chapters, technical reports, and professional journal articles in the field of criminology, criminal justice, violence studies, juvenile delinquency, security, crime prevention, and social justice. 

In addition, Dr. Thornton has served as a board member, commissioner, consultant and researcher on national, state, and local task forces, and special commissions/committees focused on crime abatement and security enhancements. Moreover, Dr. Thornton has led/participated in dozens of research studies in the city of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana as well as other states dealing with a large variety of topics such as  as crime and security in the context of public housing, casinos, schools, retail establishments, restaurants, hotels, parking lots/garages, apartment complexes, and parks, etc., and studies related to the changing patterns of crime and delinquency, drug use, criminal court sentencing disparities, jail and prison overcrowding, community policing, best practices in police training and education, effectiveness of specialized police units, and effectiveness of faith-based correctional programs. 

Dr. Thornton has also served as a crime/security consultant for the New Orleans Downtown Development District helping to enhance businesses and tourism in the city by designing and implementing various crime prevention and public safety programs for businesses. Dr. Thornton and Dr. Lydia Voigt are currently conducting research on the cultural and social aspects of the pandemic in relation to criminal activity including violent, property, white collar, and political crimes. 

Ph.D., University of Tennessee, 1977

Research Methods, Incident Crime Analysis, Juvenile Delinquency, Social Psychology, Forensic Criminology, Private Security, Premise Liability

William.Thornton@thorntonvoigtconsultants.com

(646) 725-6365

Dr. Lydia Voigt is currently Distinguished University Professor Emerita and formerly the Reverend Joseph H. Fichter, S. J., Distinguished Professor of Social Sciences in the Department of Sociology at Loyola University New Orleans. She has been a member of Loyola’s faculty and academic community for over 40 years. In addition to her teaching and scholarly activities, she has served over 25 combined years of administrative service in numerous administrative positions including: Director of the Loyola Core (2015-2017), Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs (2009-2013; 1996-2001),  Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (2001-2003) (the first woman to serve in this position at Loyola), and Departmental Chairperson in the Department of Sociology (2005-2009; 1983-1992).

Educational  Background

• Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in sociology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA 

• B.A. degree in psychology,  Boston University, Boston, MA

• Disciplinary areas of expertise include: criminology (theoretical (causal) and statistical analyses of homicide and violence patterns), and state-of-the-art security and safety best practices.

Publications

• Authored/co-authored 13 books and over 50 publications including monographs, chapters, journal articles, and evaluation studies; and given over 100 scholarly papers and invited presentations at professional conferences around the world.

Awards and Honors

• Loyola’s Dux Academicus Award(1997) for outstanding achievement in teaching, research, and service, 

• Loyola’s Diversity Champions Award(presented 2001),

• The National Conference on Student Recruitment, Retention, and Marketing Award for leadership excellence and Loyola’s campus-wide retention accomplishments presented in July 2001, and 

• The Effective Retention Program Award presented by the National Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange awarded in August 2001.

• Named in honor of Dr. Voigt, the  Dr. Lydia Voigt Dux Sociologius Award, is presented to the top graduating student by the Department of Sociology, Loyola University New Orleans (established in February 2018).

Lydia.Voigt@thorntonvoigtconsultants.com

(646) 725-6366