Skip to main content

Alumni briefs: Messinger, MSW ’96, Ph.D. ’99; Coggins, MSW ’80; Hamilton, MSW ’10; Lee, MSW ’66; Sawyer, MSW 13; Chavis, MSW 19; Scoville, MSW ’19

Lori Messinger, MSW ’96, Ph.D. ’99, was appointed dean of the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Messinger brings a wealth of leadership experience to the position, having served as associate vice chancellor for community engagement at UNC-Wilmington, director of the university’s School of Social Work and as senior fellow for diversity initiatives. In addition, Messinger served in leadership positions at the University of Kansas as well as on faculty at the University of Alabama and at N.C. State University. Messinger assumes her new role on July 1.

Louise Coggins, MSW ’80, was recently honored as the recipient of the 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award by the YWCA Lower Cape Fear during the 34th annual Women of Achievement Awards in Wilmington, N.C. Coggins, who has chaired the School of Social Work’s Board of Advisors for many years, was honored for her work to eliminate racism and empower women. Coggins currently serves as a psychotherapist with Trinity Wellness in Wilmington.

Jean Hamilton, MSW ’10, was appointed to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. Hamilton, a counselor and psychotherapist in Chapel Hill, has served on the board twice in previous years. Earlier this month, the board voted unanimously to appoint her to the board to fill the remaining term of Margaret Samuels, who resigned in March.

Howard Lee, MSW ’66, received UNC’s 2019 Diversity Award (Alumni category) from the University Office for Diversity and Inclusion. The awards recognize work in advancing an inclusive climate at Carolina. Lee, former mayor of Chapel Hill, a state senator for 13 years and director of the Department of Natural Resources under Gov. James Hunt, was honored for a “long history of advocacy and breaking color barriers.” Lee was also interviewed by WUNC radio for, “First and Only Black Mayor of Chapel Hill Marks 50th Anniversary.”

Josie Sawyer, MSW ’13, was named the new executive and clinical director of Lucy Daniels Center in Cary, N.C.. Sawyer has been with the center as a clinician with the Farley-Manning Family Guidance Service (FGS) since 2015.

Euna Chavis, MSW ’19, was featured in an article on UNC’s website about the success of Carolina’s Summer Bridge program. Chavis is coordinator of the program.

Christopher Scoville, MSW ’19, was awarded the Interprofessional Fellowship in Psychosocial Rehabilitation & Recovery Oriented Services, a program created by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The UNC School of Social Work Alumni Council has established a Facebook page.