BUSSW Remembers Professor Emeritus Jim Garland

This is a sad day, as we have learned that Professor Emeritus Jim Garland passed away yesterday, March 27, 2012, surrounded by his family. Throughout his distinguished career, Professor Garland was devoted to studying the origins of the social groupwork method and early professional work with children and youth. His love of the social work profession and the richness of the groupwork process was contagious at the School of Social Work, and our thoughts are with his loved ones.

If you would like to send remembrances of Professor Garland, please email Cecilia Hughes (ceciliah@bu.edu) and we will collect these for his family and the social work community. Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, March 31, from 2-6:00 p.m., followed by a service from 6-7:00 p.m., at Bolea Amici Funeral Home, 115 North Main Street, Mansfield, MA.

Personal Reflections

“Jim Garland was on my mind this week as I agreed to speak at the Social Work with Groups’ meeting next June 2013. I began my social work career sharing an office with Jim at the
Boston Children’s Services. I served as his program director at its camp. We collaborated on writing the “Stages of Development in Social Work Groups.” He was on of the finest group practitioners that I ever saw in action. He had a great conceptual and theoretical mind. I fondly remember lots of discussions with him about his ideas about loneliness in groups. I had the good fortunate to join him again when I became Dean at the School of Social Work. He was an excellent and beloved teacher. I will always treasure his work, his life and his enduring support of my life’s work. I will dedicate my speech next June to the memory of James Allen Garland.

What a great loss!!”

– Hubie Jones, BUSSW Dean Emeritus

“From the day I set foot at Boston University as the newcomer on the scene with an already bonded group of faculty, Jim Garland was an ally and source of support in his role as senior faculty. A long time NASW member, he always arrived at work early in the morning, visited my office, and we had helpful conversations about the Greater Boston social work scene. I thought of him as a “big brother”.  He was a knowledgeable group worker and did an outstanding job with the cohort instructional group at NEMA where he was so popular with students.  He taught me a great deal about the cohort instructional model and student responses. I worked with him both as Associate Dean and Dean and it was my pleasure to work with and know him.”

– Wilma Peebles-Wilkins, Dean Emerita

“I like to picture Jim with his wife and children all snuggling him as he passed away—a perfect “group ending.”  Jim was such a warm and hugely well informed colleague…so many talks at conferences, so many classes that piqued attendees’ interests, lots of articles with Hubie and others, a hardy insistence not to let group work fade from the knowledge base when many were trying to diss it.  My office was near his for some time, and both of us came early in the mornings to prepare before early classes, and enjoyed many a laugh together. He’d worked well at McLean Hospital, with Golda Edinburg, I think. I’m glad to think of her welcoming Jim back to a fold….I feel sad today to get this news.  Yet, I want to recall with a big smile that when Trudy Duffy and I were about to retire in the spring of 2005, Jim and 3 or 4 others of his eating group —called “Really Old Men Eating Out,” or “ROMEO”–asked Trudy and me over to eat with them, which I considered a great honor that was bound to be full of a lot of laughter and musing on the past.  He told us that we had to start this get together with an Organ Recital……. Huh??   Well, he and Archie explained that ROMEO meetings always began with an “organ recital”…each member was allowed 5 minutes and no more, to complain about health problems or specific troubles with this or that organ–and then they would compare bodily complaints and laugh a lot about aging.  So, I’m going to take a few minutes here at home now , to light a candle and think of Jim’s welcomes and supports and helps to so many of us… and all that he left within us about the importance and dynamics of groups in our lives.  Jim is now free forever from organ recitals and from feeling like a ROMEO.   I know that Jim will have already organized a few angels at the gates in order to have dinner together quite often so as to develop fun and strong relationships. God bless you, Jim and family, and give you peace.”

– Carolyn Dillon, Professor Emerita

“Jim was my first real hero and a most generous and passionate  group work teacher, supporter and mentor throughout my career. His spirit, energy and humor reside in my mind and heart…..”

– Lois Levinsky

“I have been connecting all day with people who have been touched by the warmth and compassion that Jim Garland exuded.  I first met Jim when I was a social work student here at BUSSW and Jim was my faculty advisor.  I was placed at the Dorchester House Multi-Service Center and Jim was amazing and inspiring as we talked about group work in the community, on the streets, and in the office.  We stayed in touch and he modeled the critical importance of social group workers finding each other.  Now, long after my years as a student with Jim, and others (Trudy Duffy and Lois Levinsky) as mentors, I find myself living that role – trying to do my best work in teaching about group work, supporting group workers in the field and connecting with new students who venture a curiosity about the practice of group work.  I owe so much gratitude to Jim for his support and encouragement.  I am glad for the opportunity to remember him today as I ready myself to go and teach the BUSSW Group Work Specialists seminar in just a few moments.”

– Donna McLaughlin, MSW, LICSW, Clinical Assistant Professor

“Jim was first my teacher, then my colleague, then my mentor and first reader of my articles.  In his generous spirit and support of group work of all kinds, he enthusiastically embraced the relational model  of group development that was based on but re-formulated his own work. I will forever treasure his support; and fondly remember the lively group work faculty meetings where he and Larry kept each other and all of us on our toes.”

– Linda Schiller

“Jim was a welcoming presence in my office for many talks about history of social work & race relations. As a newcomer to academia I felt indeed supported by his efforts to make me feel like a welcome member to the BUSSW family. More importantly, deepened by knowledge of group work practice.”

– Joyce West Stevens, Ph.D., Professor Emerita

“Jim Garland made major contributions to group work theory, yet always kept his feet firmly planted in practice. He was an outstanding group worker, an iconic classroom instructor, a terrific colleague, and most important, a wonderful human being.   His passion for group work was legendary. Jim was dearly loved by all who knew him (well maybe not some in the upper echelons of the BU Administration during faculty union days)and I can’t count the times I’ve spoken with colleagues and alumni who spoke glowingly about him.”

– Lee Staples, Professor

“Jim Garland, my colleague and friend, was a charter member of the ‘ROMEOS’.  He had a great appetite for both food and humor; often laughing at a joke being told before the punch line was delivered. In addition to his academic prowess he played a mean ukulele and harmonica.  I miss him already.”

– Archie Eisenberg

“If ever there was someone who had a real twinkle in his eye, it was Jim Garland. I had heard that phrase but never knew what it meant until I met Jim. I saw it so often when we talked or when I observed him with others. His joy and his appreciation for relationships was infectious. He served as my mentor when I had to get up to speed in teaching the group work content in SW759. He was patient  and reassuring with me. He encouraged me to take risks and coached me when I reported or he observed my missteps. He was all-knowing in the field of group work but shared his knowledge in a gentle way. I will miss him.”

– Cassandra Clay, Professor Emerita

“I was deeply saddened to hear that Jim Garland had passed away.  He represented the best of what social work could be, but it was his warmth, friendship and integrity that I remember most.  As a new faculty member, Jim took me under his wing and showed me the ropes.  We often bonded over the ridiculous and absurd — he had a wicked sense of humor.  I will forever be his “macro biker chick.”

– Cheryl Hyde, former BUSSW faculty, Temple University

“I was sick at heart to learn of Jim’s sudden death but relieved to sense he didn’t suffer for long. I will be forever in his debt for teaching me the ropes of SSW when I joined the faculty in 1990. Instruction about the complexities of BU politics  came from Jim, particularly his first hand knowledge of Silber’s struggle with the Sociology Dept. over unionizing efforts which had bearing on the joint Ph.D. Program.  He was a wise man about the constraints of the institution while retaining optimism–change was always possible. Subsequent developments at Boston University and in the Ph.D. program reveal the wisdom of his predictions. On a personal level, I envied Jim’s equinamity…he could remain jovial and collegial in the face of conflict.  He called on the best in people and the power of the group to bring about change. I will miss the man.  The School of Social Work has lost one of its best.”

– Cathy Riessman

“I was saddened to learn of Jim’s death.  I recall him as a student whom I would often see racing down the corridor outside my office,always attired in dark suit and necktie and
carrying a bulging briefcase.  I didn’t know who he was then, but he looked like a young, earnest scholar. Later Jim became a cherished friend and colleague for many years. Not only was he an outstanding teacher and mentor at SSW,but Jim will be remembered for his important contributions as a consultant in the use of groups in diverse settings. I remember especially his innovative work at McLean Hospital. I will miss this wonderful man.  He leaves a rich legacy for the many lives he touched.”

– Millie Flashman, Professor Emerita

“Jim Garland was my professor of Group Practice in 1980 – 1981. His methods, style and personality, in addition to his  incredibly vast knowledge base forever imprinted the value of group therapy in me. Jim taught me to highly value group therapy as a therapeutic genre, which permanently affected the development of my professional identity as a therapist. Jim also showed me how to have dignity as a therapist, and still be personable and genuine with the clients. I have always been grateful and have felt very fortunate to have had Jim Garland as a professior during such an important period of my professional development. In part, because of Jim Garland, I have always felt so lucky to have attended the Boston University School of Social Work, and to have been “at the right place at the right time.”

– Stewart Bloom, M.S.W., LCSW

“I was saddened to learn of Jim Garland’s passing.  Jim and I were classmates 1954-56. I remember him from those days as a popular and highly respected student. It was only natural that he went on to become a preeminent group worker and leader in our profession.  Although our social work careers took different paths, they intersected years after our graduation from B.U.S.S W. when Jim served on the national board of NASW while I was on the national office staff. At the biennial delegate assembly (l973?) Jim’s guitar and folk singing was the highlight of after hours get-togethers.  Jim will be sorely missed as a colleague, teacher, role model and bright light in the field of social work.”

– Robert H. Cohen, SSW ’56

“Jim was my faculty advisor at BUSSW from 1971-1973. He was also my boss when I taught some group courses at BUSSW.   I knew him later as a colleague, good friend, and always as a mentor, role model, and dining companion.  Once in a Korean restaurant I was astonished to observe Jim speaking fluent Korean to the owner.  I am one of the founders of the Childrens Group Therapy Association.  I was very active in child group work and felt that there was no professional organization at that time (1976) to train and support child group therapists.  I expressed this to Jim on several occasions, hoping that he would take the lead and form such an organization.    But Jim being ever the social worker supported and encouraged me to form a group of like minded social workers.  Jim continued to be an active participant and supporter of the Childrens Group Therapy Association and has received several well deserved awards.  I will miss him greatly and am sure that he will always shine brightly inside me.”

– Steven Haut, MSW, LICSW, SSW ’73

“Please extend my deep regards and sympathies to Jim’s family. I was a student of Jim’s ‘74’-76. I also had the good fortune to stay connected as he mentored a few of us, who were just a few of the many group workers he inspired, in the creation of the Children’s Group Therapy Association and as a Field Faculty Advisor for students I trained. He permanently shaped my thinking from his passionate presentation on the system theory of Von Bertalanffy in Human Behavior in the Social Environment class (I am a total systems integration devotee). Or my internalization of the stages of group development so that, to this day, I begin with “stereotypic momentum” leading into “approach-avoidance” activities in all that I teach and practice.

Jim was true mentor for me one, who was accessible, human, and fun. I always remember his personal stories about his children’s group work. There was one story that illustrated the leader group dynamics of power and control which occurred when, in the Men’s YMCA pool which was sans suits in those days, a janitor walked in on a group of screaming, out of control boys and looked at Jim and said, ‘So whose in charge here?’ And there was that warm, late spring afternoon at the end of a Children’s Group Therapy Conference in a tree-shaded court yard at Wellesley College when he took out his harmonica and led the conference staff in several joyous rounds of dancing to polka music!

It was a great good fortune for me, as for so many others, to have had Jim in my life.”

– Chip Wilder, SSW ’76