Outstanding SSW Achievements Celebrated
On October 24, nearly 60 distinguished guests gathered at the Back Court at BU’s George Sherman Union to honor alumni and staff who have made outstanding contributions to the field of social work and the School. Honorees included:
Thomas W. Dunse (SSW ’86)
Outstanding Career in Social Work
Reva Stein (SSW ’82)
Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Social Work
Abigail Ortiz (SSW ’02)
Hubie Jones Urban Service Award
Heidi Maitland
Outstanding Contributions to the School of Social Work
Thomas Dunse is vice-president of clinical services at Old Colony YMCA in Brockton, and is a graduate of SSW’s Off-Campus Programs (OCP). Said OCP Southeastern Massachusetts (SEMA) Director Deborah Sheehan, “I am delighted to see Tom’s work honored at this year’s Alumni Awards event. He is a tireless advocate for social workers and clients. He’s been instrumental in the training of many OCP and Charles River students, and also advises the state as a member of the advisory committee to the Department of Children and Families. We’ve benefited from his work and insight on our advisory committee for the Fall River OCP Program, and we are very proud to claim him as one of our graduates.”
Reva Stein, Executive Director and Chief Organizer of the Massachusetts Clubhouse Coalition, was honored for her outstanding contributions to the field of social work. Professor Lee Staples, who presented this award, talked about Reva’s “remarkable skills and dedicated work” in behalf individuals with mental illness in Massachusetts. “In fact,” he said, “Reva has earned an international reputation as the clubhouse’s movement most effective organizer and she is highly sought as a trainer, speakers, and consultant.”
Abigail Ortiz, a Health Educator with Southern Jamaica Plain Health Center, was chosen for the Hubie Jones Urban Service Award because innovative and dedicated efforts in behalf of urban adolescents. Professor Betty J. Ruth, who presented the award on behalf of nominator Jamie Wyatt (SSW ’05), noted that “Abigail’s commitment to the community and continual efforts to expand upon services and ideas already in place are an inspiring example of how skill, enthusiasm, and perseverance can be successfully integrated to address the variety and complexity of client needs in creative and diverse ways.”
A particularly bittersweet award was given to SSW Registrar Heidi Maitland, who has retired after 15 years with at BU. As registrar for nine years, Heidi has registered hundreds students, as well as assisted faculty and staff with scheduling and space requirements. In addition, she assumed the position of the School’s Director of Student Services on an interim basis while the director was on leave. “Heidi’s willingness and ability to ‘step up to the plate,’ along with her ongoing competence in her role as Registration Administrator, signify her importance to the School,” said Assistant Dean Trudy Zimmerman. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of recognition for her hard work and overall contribution to the operation of the School.”
About BUSSW:
Distinguished by its urban mission and clinical and macro practice focus, the Boston University School of Social Work is committed to educating masters’ and doctoral level students who will become leaders in a multicultural environment. The School offers the MSW and PhD degrees, as well as continuing professional education, and its nationally recognized faculty has been ranked 8th among schools of social work with doctoral programs. Located in a diverse and academically rich community, the School offers almost unlimited opportunities for urban social work practice and research. Visit bu.edu/ssw for more information.
About Boston University:
Founded in 1839, Boston University is an internationally recognized institution of higher education and research. With more than 30,000 students, it is the fourth largest independent university in the United States. BU consists of 17 colleges and schools along with a number of multi-disciplinary centers and institutes which are central to the school’s research and teaching mission.