January 2021 | Happy New Year!
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Happy New Year and Welcome to 2021!
I hope you were able to celebrate the New Year in safe and healthy ways. It seems that 2021 is beginning as a continuation of 2020, but with a vaccine beginning to be distributed there is hope that the year will end on a much more positive note.
Here at the School of Social Work, 2021 is starting off with great success. We had a wonderful showing at the annual Society for Social Work and Research (affectionately referred to as SSWR) national conference, with 15 faculty and 10 doctoral students presenting. It was different this year; the conference was virtual. But our faculty and students didn’t let that daunt them, and made amazing presentations. Topics (http://bit.ly/2021-SSWR-UGASSW) included help-seeking behaviors, positive youth development, foster care, disability status, criminal justice, intimate partner violence, substance use and LGBT communities, immigrant issues ….I could go on and on. Even in a virtual setting, the presentations made by our faculty and students’ demonstrated passion and clear commitment to social justice. We are so fortunate to have these amazing scholars in our School.
The excitement continued after SSWR, with our student-led 5th Annual Social Justice Symposium, which happened on January 23rd . This day-long was virtual this year, but still crated community and brought folks together for deep discussions on issues of justice and inclusion and to envision sustainable social change on a local level. Totally driven by students and the community, the Symposium was an opportunity to put social work principles into action and truly be advocates for positive social change. The keynote speaker, Dr. Jasmine Clark, told her powerful story as she became a scientist and then a legislator, and this year’s Dr. June Gary Hopps Bridge Award was given to Fair Fight Action’s CEO Lauren Groh-Wargo.
I am sure 2021 will continue to throw challenges our way, but will also be a time of richness and positive meaning. I look forward to traversing the year with you.
Peace,
Anna M. Scheyett
Dean and Professor
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Take a living history journey with a direct descendant of two of America’s most influential heroes. Kenneth B. Morris, Jr. is the great-great-great-grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great-grandson of Booker T. Washington. Ken will give a dynamic virtual presentation about his famous family’s history, the pressure he felt growing up in the shadow of his esteemed ancestors, and his work today to end systems of exploitation and oppression as President of President of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives (FDFI).. He will also share information about FDFI’s project, promoting equity, literacy, and civic engagement called One Million Abolitionists. Register free at bit.ly/2021-Hollowell-Lecture.
The lecture is sponsored by the Center for Social Justice, Human and Civil Rights, the UGA School of Social Work, APRIES - African Programming and Research Initiative to End Slavery, and the UGA Institute for African American Studies.
Did you know that the School of Social Work has an active and dedicated Board of Advisors? This wonderful group of men and women are friends and alumni of the School who meet three times a year to learn about the latest School activities and provide the Dean with an experienced community think tank. Members of the Board work throughout the year to educate the community about the exciting work of the School and to increase our ever-growing pool of allies. Board members advocate for and provide resources to the School and its students by giving their time, their energy, and their support.
Pictured, L-R, 1st row: Kathy Anderson (BBA '80), Katheryn B. Davis (MSW '70), Rachelle “Shelly” Hutchinson (MSW ’00), Ken Chrzanowski (MED '89). L-R, 2nd row: Bobby Robbins (MSW '73), emeriti member; David Meyers (MSW ’96), Anna Scheyett, Ed Risler (BSW ’77, MSW ’82, PhD ’98), Chip Morris (MSW ’91). Not pictured: Spencer Frye (BS Psychology ’14), Extriara Gates (MSW ’11).
Merle M. Foeckler Field Education Fund Receives Planned Gift
The School of Social Work received a planned gift from the estate of Merle M. Foeckler (October 1, 1917- July 22, 2013) to support the Merle M. Foeckler Field Education Fund.
Foeckler arrived at the University of Georgia School of Social Work in June of 1964. “The first three months were exciting, hectic and intellectually stimulating." said Foeckler. "We did it! I taught the first class, Human Behavior, to 14 students. They graduated in 1966 much to their and the faculty’s joy!”
Foeckler served at the School of Social Work for 18 years (1964-1982). During her tenure she established the field instruction program which she described as “the most challenging and rewarding experience and accomplishment.”
In March 2000 the Merle M. Foeckler Field Education Fund was created for the purpose of providing educational experiences and resources for field faculty and supervisors.
Foeckler remained a vital part of the School of Social Work as a donor and mentor to former students, faculty and staff. She was truly a light and her legacy will live on through her generosity.
2021 SSWR Presentations
Fifteen faculty and ten doctoral students made amazing presentations at the virtual 2021 SSWR Conference. Click here to review the abstracts and link to the conference website.
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5th Annual Social Justice Symposium
The student led 2021 Social Justice Symposium: Banding Together for Hope and Social Justice was held virtually on January 23rd hosting over 100 attendees from as close as Athens, GA to as far away as Philadelphia. Session topics included restorative justice, voter suppression, discrimination, compassion-training, building just communities, using play to help people connect, experiences of male-sex workers and more.
The keynote address was given by Georgia State Rep. Dr. Jasmine Clark (House District 108), who has been focusing her first years in office on education, criminal justice reform, gun reform, and healthcare.
Fair Fight Action, the Georgia nonprofit that successfully fought voter suppression and fought for voter education this past year, received the Dr. June Gary Hopps “Bridge” Award, recognizing an individual or organization working to advance social justice. Fair Fight Action’s CEO, Lauren Groh-Wargo, was on hand to accept the award and answer questions from attendees.
The symposium is in its 5th year and is led by students of the School of Social Work at the University of Georgia in Athens and Gwinnett County and the Center for Social Justice, Civil, and Human Rights and brings together people throughout the state, including students and other university and community members, to plan solutions to bring equality, human rights, and equity to our communities.
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Tony Lowe recognized at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Breakfast
On January 15, 2021 Dr. Tony Lowe, associate professor in the School of Social Work, was one of the recipients of a President's Fulfilling the Dream Award at the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Breakfast. Lowe was recognized for his work helping the community of Hogansville, GA discover and confront its early civil rights struggles and assisting them in building a plan forward.
View the Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Breakfast video
Social Work associate professor sheds light on civil rights activist.
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Join fellow Social Work Bulldogs committed to increasing access and affordability for the next generation. Your gift, no matter the size, empowers students to deliver innovative solutions for challenges and transform the way people experience life.
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The University of Georgia Foundation is registered to solicit in every state and provides state specific registration information at http://www.ugafoundation.org/charity.