Message from the Dean
If you are among the alumni who faithfully have read our online newsletter since February, you may have noticed that the last one we posted was in April 2006. Since then, there has been a flurry of activity at the School, including Alumni Weekend (an educational workshop, reception, and picnic) as well as graduation. Read on for more details and photos from these exciting events.
On another note, this issue of the Sociolog Online is our last until the fall. Traditionally, summer is a time when we plan for the upcoming academic year. In September, your alumni publication will have a fresh, new look -- both online and in the annual hard copy version. You can read more about this “face lift” in The New Sociolog article below. Meanwhile, be sure to update your contact information (email embrueck@sp2.upenn.edu) so we can mail you a copy.
Best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable summer. Please stay connected with the Alumni Relations Office for ongoing activities and ways to get involved. As always, thank you for your interest and support.Richard J. Gelles
Dean
The New Sociolog:
Penn Matters chosen for alumni magazine
The School of Social Policy & Practice is excited to announce that John (Jack) Hansan, MSW’56, is the winner of the Sociolog renaming contest. In conjunction with the SP² Alumni Association Board of Directors, the School reviewed over 100 entries and selected Penn Matters as the new name for the School’s monthly online alumni magazine. In his entry, Dr. Hansan wrote, “Penn Matters reflects the fact the school is ‘important or of substance’ to the alumni” and that the magazine “will report to the alumni on the ‘present situation or state of affairs’ in the School of Social Policy & Practice.”
[read complete article]
Alumni Weekend and Reunion 2006
As far as traditions go, the Reunion Reception is well on its way to becoming a staple in the SP2 lineup of Alumni Weekend events. On Friday, May 12, about 65 alumni, guests, and other members of the SP2 community gathered at the Union League to celebrate with all graduates whose class year ends in a ‘1’ or ‘6’.
Alumni celebrating their 50th reunion met alumni who graduated five years ago. Former classmates reconnected with old friends while making new connections. In the spirit of celebrating, the Reunion Reception offered a giant cake wishing alumni “congratulations on their reunion.”
[read more about Alumni Weekend and Reunion 2006]
Alumni in the Field
Virginia McIntosh, MSW’69 wins Outstanding Leader Award
When Ellen Becker Scharff, SW’67 nominated fellow alumna Virginia McIntosh, SW’69, LCSW, B.C.D., for the SP² Alumni Association’s Outstanding Leader award, she wrote, “In her quiet, non-demanding but persistent way she is constantly contributing to the social work profession, leading to the growth of the profession for the betterment of social workers and clients as well.”
[read more about Virginia McIntosh]
School News
The School of Social Policy & Practice is a vibrant community on Penn’s campus. On a daily basis, our faculty, staff, students, and alumni engage in research, discussions, social activities, mentoring, and professional development. Below are some of the most recent pieces of news from the SP² community.
Commencement 2006
On Monday, May 15, another 147 talented individuals entered the distinguished ranks of Penn Social Work and Social Policy & Practice alumni, when the School celebrated its 2006 commencement ceremonies.
Alba Martínez, President and CEO of United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania delivered the School’s Commencement address. In her speech, she shared with the graduating class her trials and triumphs during her days as Commissioner of the Department of Human Services (DHS) in Philadelphia Mayor John Street’s Administration.
[read more about the 2006 commencement]
Faculty Notes
Our full- and part-time faculty are leaders in research and practice. They are experts in fields such as gerontology, child welfare, family violence, international social work, homelessness, mental health and health. This section of our newsletter will keep you up to date on the most recent research accomplishments of the School of Social Policy & Practice faculty.
School of Social Policy & Practice Excellence in Teaching Awards
The 2006 recipients of the School of Social Policy & Practice Excellence in Teaching Awards are Dr. Jeffrey Draine (standing faculty) and Walter Palmer (part-time faculty). Recipients of these awards are selected by the graduating students and must demonstrate a high level of scholarship in courses taught; a teaching style that stimulates the students’ interest; a commitment to student learning; respect for students’ personal differences; and a significant and lasting impact on the professional development of students. The awards were presented at the School’s commencement ceremony on May 15.
[read more about the 2006 recipients of
the Excellence in Teaching Awards]
Joretha Bourjolly, PhD, Associate Professor/Clinician Educator and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs was awarded the 2006 – 2007 Social Work Research Fellowship from the Center for the Study of Social Work Practice. This is a joint program of Columbia University School of Social Work and the Jewish Board of Family and Children Services.
[read more about Joretha Bourjolly ]
Ram Cnaan, PhD is the author of the new book The Other Philadelphia Story: How Local Congregations Support Quality of Life in Urban America, published by the University of Pennsylvania Press and written with Stephanie Boddie, SWP’02, Charlene C. McGrew, SWP’08, and Jennifer Kang. For a full review of the book, click here.
Richard Estes, DSW, is the recipient of the 2006 "Distinguished Service Award", given by the Board of Directors of the International Society for Quality of Life Studies (ISQOLS). Dr. Estes will receive the award at a presentation in Grahamstown, South Africa, in July.
Gloria Gay, MSW, was one of eleven women featured as a subject in the anthropological painting exhibition, “Unexpected Transitions: From Wearing Girdles to Burning Bras.” Portraitist Deborah Caiola chronicles the lives of women from this generation, and Ms. Gay has a dynamic presence in the exhibit and her story is one of triumph and liberation. For more information about the collection, click here.
Former Dean Michael J. Austin, PhD, has been named the Milton and Florence Krenz Mack Distinguished Professor of Nonprofit Management at the School of Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley where he has been on the faculty for the past fourteen years. Dr. Austin served as Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice (then School of Social Work) from 1985-1992.
IN MEMORIAM
June Axinn, Professor Emeritus, died May 18 of coronary arrest. June was a major presence in the School and in the University community from the time she joined the faculty during the 1960s until her retirement a decade ago. Her scholarship focused on the history of social welfare and the economics of welfare with particular focus on women, the elderly, and children. She and Hal Levin designed SWRK 601 – The History and Philosophy of Social Work and Social Welfare – and wrote the first edition of their text, Social Welfare: A History of America’s response to need. June was a leader in issues of gender equity on campus. Among her many leadership roles at Penn, she served as chair of the Faculty Senate in 1984-85.
Alumni in the News
Beatrice Fulton, MSW’96, received the 2006 Social Worker of the Year Award from the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Ms. Fulton is manager of program design and clinical services at Episcopal Community Services in Philadelphia, where she currently supervises six graduate MSW student interns. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Board Certified Diplomat, with extensive experience designing and implementing training programs for diverse populations. Ms. Fulton also has a graduate degree in Fine Arts and is active in the Philadelphia cultural community.
Jack Lewis, MSW’81, Alan Speed, SW’07, and Darin Toliver, MSW’02 received the “Men Making a Difference Award” for their dedication to the black community. The award recognizes the recipients’ efforts to improve their own and other communities. The awards, presented on May 19, 2006, are provided by United States Congressman Chaka Fattah and the American Cities Foundation Community Leadership Training Institute. Mr. Lewis, Mr. Speed, and Mr. Toliver are all members of the Black Men at Penn School of Social Work, Inc group. Walter Palmer, JD, and Chad Dion Lassiter, MSW’01, both members of the group, have also received this award in years past (2005 and 2003, respectively).
Future Leaders - 2006 Student Awards
Rosa Wessel Award is presented to a meritorious graduating student who is selected on the basis of academic performance and one or more the following: exemplary student leadership, innovative activities in the field practicum, and exceptional community service. The selection process is through nomination and voting of the faculty. This year, there were two recipients of the award:
Jamey Leanne Long, MSW’06 and
Kevin Roach, MSW’06.
[read more about the 2006 recipients of the Rose Wessel Award]
Dr. Ruth Smalley Award in International Social Welfare is given to the member of the graduating class who, through their writing, participation in class discussions, and experience, has demonstrated an interest in, and a working knowledge of, the international and cultural dimensions of social work practice, and the application of practice to research. The selection process is through nomination and voting of the faculty. The 2006 recipient is
Smita Pendharkar, MSW’06.
[read more about the 2006 recipient of the Ruth Smalley Award]
Hal Levin Award for Outstanding Ph.D. Student is presented to a meritorious doctoral student who is continuing the process of completing course work. The selection process is through nomination and voting of the faculty. The 2006 recipient is
Charlene Chen McGrew, MSW’03, PhD’08.
[read more about the 2006 recipient of the Hal Levin Award]
Black Men at Penn School of Social Work, Inc. Combating Racism Awards are given to students who have demonstrated an understanding of American racism and a commitment to fight against racism and other forms of discrimination. The 2006 recipients are
Kietra Winn, MSW’06,
Jason Miller, MSW’06 and
Anna Holster, MSW’06.
[read more about the 2006 recipients of the Combatting Racism Awards]
Joel M. Caplan, a doctoral student in the Social Welfare program, is one of eleven scholars selected to receive a 2005 research grant from the Hartford Foundation for Social Policy. Mr. Caplan’s project for which he received the grant is entitled, The Effect of Victim Input on Parole Release Decisions. When awarding grants, the Horowitz Foundation gives preference to “projects that deal with contemporary issues in the social sciences or issues of significant policy relevance … and to scholars in the early stages of their professional careers.” For more information on the Horowitz Foundation, please click here.
Delfin W. Bautista, MSW’06, is this year’s recipient of The Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work (PSCSW) Mary Montague Award for excellence in clinical social work paper. His paper, Case Assessment of Senora CM, was well received by the judges. He will be officially honored at the Society’s annual dinner in the Fall.
Editor's Note
We are always seeking to better serve our alumni and offer a more convenient way to share news with the Social Policy & Practice community. The Sociolog Online offers a way to highlight happenings and information in a timely manner. It acts as a supplement to the printed Sociolog, which will still be mailed to you every September. We welcome your feedback and suggestions about the Sociolog and Sociolog Online. Please email Alumni Relations with questions, comments, feedback, and suggestions.
The Sociolog Online is created using Cascading Style Sheets according to W3C web standards for compliance and accessibility. It is accessible for Braille, aural, and handheld readers, and the layout is fully resizable through your Internet browser preferences. For your convenience when printing, all images will be omitted and the text will be set to a 12 point Arial font. Please contact Lizza Robb with any questions or suggestions.
Emily M. Brueckner, MSW’05
Editor, Sociolog and Sociolog Online