Tuesday, Apr 24, 2018
School of Social Work faculty, staff and students bonded over food and drink in celebration of the year’s accomplishments April 17 in the University of Texas at Arlington Central Libraries’ Atrium Room.
The annual Celebration of Excellence event honors students and faculty in their academic and career achievements. The School of Social Work is enjoying a successful year after being recognized as one of the best social work programs in the nation and this is our opportunity to honor the academic success of students and faculty, Assistant Dean for Research and Faculty Affairs Holli Slater said.
“Our graduating students are the people who will be going out and working in the community and making the difference,” Slater said.
Social workers are doing a great job as a profession in helping the community, and don’t always take time to celebrate what they have done, she said.
The reception included social work students of all levels and fields of work, she said. Recognition of undergraduate and graduate students, research assistants and veterans were among the categories of the reception.
Social work senior Victor Allen was recognized for his work as a field student and plans to pursue a master’s in social work degree after graduation.
“I feel like this year was the year where I had my most highs and lows, my biggest challenges, but also my biggest rewards,” Allen said. “I will say my senior year is actually my best year I had in school.”
The connections he made with faculty and community outreach programs made it worth it, Allen said.
Allen who served in the U.S. Army and retired as a sergeant major, appreciated and admired the support the university gives to veterans.
Balancing student duties and a social life were a part of the struggles toward his undergraduate career, he said.
The faculty spent a lot of effort in in putting together this program wanting to make a connection with students, so he wanted to show gratitude for their efforts in attending, Allen said.
Many students are making a change toward the next step of their careers during this time of the year, Social Work Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs Diane Mitschke said.
Not only can faculty and students meet face-to-face, but family members can celebrate the work put into studying for exams, writing papers or working at the social work internship, she said.
“I enjoy seeing family members, moms and dads, brothers and sisters, celebrating our students’ accomplishments in a way that really has a big impact,” Mitschke said.
Click on link below to see photos from this event:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/socwuta/albums/72157668017448568
Click on pdf below to view the 2018 Celebration of Excellence program booklet and awardees:
Celebration of Excellence Program