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Nominations are open for Distinguished Alumni Awards

Do you know School of Social Work alumni who deserve to be recognized for their commitment to the profession and efforts for making a difference in the lives of others? Please consider nominating these individuals for our Distinguished Alumni Awards! Recipients of this award will be honored during UNC School of Social Work’s May 7, 2022, graduation ceremony.

Each year at graduation, the School presents the Distinguished Alumni Award to recognize alumni who have achieved distinction in the social work field, who embody social work values and who carry our mission of service into the world. Alumni can be nominated by peers, faculty members, fellow alumni or students and are chosen by a committee.

To qualify, a nominee must be a graduate of the School and meet a combination of the following criteria:

  • Demonstrate outstanding leadership and make significant contributions to the field of social work.
  • Demonstrate a deep commitment to high ethical social work standards.
  • Develop and/or implement major innovations that have improved the quality of life for members in the individual’s community.
  • Benefit an individual’s clients, the professional community, and the social work profession through special contributions, advocacy, and involvement in professional, civic, or community organizations.
  • Be an effective advocate for social work issues.

Please submit your nominations along with two copies of any supporting materials by Monday, March 7, 2022, via email to Linda Rhodes.  You can also submit materials by mail to: Attn: Linda Rhodes, UNC School of Social Work, Campus Box #3550, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27599-3550. Please include a letter or paragraph about the person you are nominating that explains why your nominee should be considered.

Got questions? Contact Linda Rhodes via email.

The following alumni were previously awarded for their leadership and contributions to the field of social work:

  • 2021 Sydney Batch ‘06, Tanya Brice ‘03, Jill Gammon ‘72, Richard Miller-Haraway ‘89, Bobby Cagle ‘98, Charrise Hart ‘13,
    Ebon Freeman-James ‘02
  • 2020 No award given
  • 2019  Susanna Stepp Birdsong ’08, Dr. Noel Sebastian Bost ’96, Jessica Nakell Burroughs ’98, Mia Ives-Rublee ’09, Marcia Lynn White ‘78
  • 2018  Veronica Creech ’98, Constance Fraser Gray ’91, Mark A. Oliver ’98, Anna Marie Scheyett ’89, Jovetta L. Whitfield ‘95
  • 2017  Dana Courtney ’74, Sharon Warren Cook ’92, Karen McLeod ’01, Phyllis Thomas Thorpe ’83, Irene Zipper ‘73
  • 2016  Gary Bowen ’76, Desdemona Faison ’85, Justin Perry ’09, Stephen Douglas Trantham ‘92
  • 2015  Easter Maynard ’97, Michael Newton-Ward ’84
  • 
2014  Seanee Garris Alexander ’99, Mary Deyampert-McCall ’80, Chris Estes ’00
  • 2013  No award given
  • 2012  No award given
  • 
2011  No award given
  • 
2010  JoAnn McCatchern Swart ’78, Myrna Miller Wellons ’96
  • 2009  Bobby Boyd ’69, Ella Craig ’50, Michelle Hughes ’95, Constance Renz ’74
  • 2008  Diann Dawson ’74, Debra Jenkins ’77, Amanda Stone ’94
  • 
2007  Holly Bowles Blanton ’77, Isabel Geffner ’02
  • 
2006  Connie Bonebrake ’86, Louise Coggins ’80, Robert Gorman ’78
  • 2005  Edwin Chapin ’67, Gay Morris ’81, Matt Sullivan ’97, Gail Varley ’80
  • 2003  Sarah Austin ’64, Andrea Bazan Manson ’95
  • 2002  Molly Barker ’89, Sonja “Yvette” Murphy ’90, Robert Stump ’69
  • 2001  McCray Benson ’90, William Pollard ’69
  • 2000  Bill Brittain ’65, Marilyn Maxwell ’72
  • 
1999  Linda Miller Summer ’48
  • 1997  Ruby Demesme ’79
  • 1996  Frank Raymond ’65
  • 1995  Martha Beach ’75
  • 
1993  Yangcha Crabb ’74
  • 1992  Sandra Mastin Cook ’74