Donor recognition: New gifts that will make a difference now and in the future
Dean Beth Angell, Ph.D., has established supporting access to and affordability of a social work education as a central philanthropic priority of the School of Social Work. Building on the phenomenal success of the Make It Real Capital Campaign, school alumni are already stepping up to meet the challenge of investing in the next generation of change makers.
A $50,000 gift from retired social work faculty member Bev Koerin (B.S.’69/SW; M.S.W.’74/SW) and her husband, Sid Koerin (B.S.'73/B), established the Economic Justice Scholarship, which will support B.S.W. and M.S.W. students committed to working with economically vulnerable populations and advocating for policies that advance economic justice.
Preference will be given to first-generation college students. The Koerins also made a legacy commitment in their estate plans to further build the Economic Justice Scholarship, estimated at $50,000.
Ira Colby, D.S.W. (M.S.W.’75/SW), and his wife, Deborah (M.S.W.’80/SW), who established the Peace and Justice Scholarship in Distance Education in 2019, recently made a legacy commitment to the scholarship, estimated at $250,000, in their estate plans. Inspired by Deb Colby’s own journey as a social work student and practitioner, the Peace and Justice scholarship supports students pursuing the M.S.W. through online or other distance education modalities.
Stephen (M.S.W.’79/SW) and Patricia Frankel have pledged a significant estate gift, estimated at $1 million, that will endow the Stephen, Patricia, Godfrey, and Lillian Frankel Scholarship fund. This endowment will support M.S.W. students in both clinical and macro social work as well as provide support for recruitment of outstanding M.S.W. applicants.
Student impact
Nearly 40 students from across the B.S.W., M.S.W. and Ph.D. programs received school scholarships for the 2020-21 academic year. We asked recipients to tell us how meaningful those scholarships are and how they will set up the awardees for success as future social workers.
Cedricka Alexander (B.S.W.'21/SW)
Pamela B. Nystrom Memorial Scholarship Fund
“As someone who grew up disadvantaged financially, college was never a certainty. However, scholarships like this one make a brighter future more attainable by aiding my pursuit financially.
“My ultimate goal for myself is to be a sort of ‘renaissance woman.’ I want to have many different skills and explore all the paths available to me. I want to pursue the traditional social work roles as a therapist or case manager, but also pursue other forms of social work in other settings. My goal is never to limit what I feel I am capable of.”
Calvin Bartelle (B.S.’17/GPA; M.S.W.’21/SW)
Dr. David P. Beverly Memorial Scholarship Fund
“The moment I received the award letter, I shouted with an abundance of joy. I thank you for this thoughtful investment into my future. Because of your scholarship, I will be able to apply the received funds to outstanding college debt that has become overwhelming.
“My biggest goal is to start my own behavioral health agency and practice as an LCSW in an underserved area. I anticipate delivering quality mental health services with a multidisciplinary team that could provide other services.”
Lindsay Pugh (M.S.W.’21/SW)
Fostering Success Scholarship
“I know that every applicant would have been deserving of aid, and I am very proud to have been selected. Every bit of aid I receive allows me more time to focus on my studies and internship.
“I plan to utilize my master's to secure employment with a local department of social services working in a foster care intake unit. I see myself making the biggest impact in social work as a change-maker who disrupts the school-to-prison pipeline while working to reunify families.”
Ashley Staton (B.S.’14/H&S), M.S.W. student
William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Social Workers in Aging
Rachel Wilkerson Memorial Scholarship
“Working full-time while pursuing a degree presents a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to time and finances, and I'm often forced to tread a fine line to balance these challenges. Because of your gift, I have a bit more flexibility.
“I was raised by my elderly grandmother, so I've always had an affinity for the older population. I ultimately hope to practice therapy while working to disrupt ageism and racism for the older generation, as well as my own.”