2014 Alumni Association Awards

On September 20, 2014, BUSSW faculty, family, friends, co-workers, and peers gathered to recognize four outstanding individuals during the 2014 BUSSW Alumni Association Awards.

Outstanding Career in Social Work: Sally Johnson

Dorothy Bergold (’81) nominated Sally Johnson (’78), clinical social worker at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and co-founder of BABIS, for the Outstanding Career in Social Work award.

“You can’t talk about BABIS without thinking of Sally,” Bergold said. “There is nobody more deserving to receive this award.”

“I’m so proud to be a social worker, and part of the BUSSW community,” Johnson said in her acceptance speech.

Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Social Work: Lisa Goldblatt-Grace

Deborah Putnam (MSW ’92, MPH ’94) and Rick Cresta (MSW ’93, MPH’ 94) nominated Lisa Goldblatt-Grace (MSW ’94, MPH ’95), co-founder and executive director of “My Life, My Choice,” for the Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Social Work award.

“This nomination came with such ease,” Putnam said. “It was not easy to find people to write on behalf of Lisa, it was VERY easy.”
“Lisa does not desire to take center stage, but she is incredibly powerful when she does,” Cresta added.

“I’m a really lucky woman to get to be a social worker,” Goldblatt-Grace said as she accepted her award. “I feel happily selfish because I love what I do.”

Hubie Jones Urban Service Award: Mojdeh Rohani 

 Lee Staples and Dean Emeritus Hubie Jones presented the Hubie Jones Urban Service Award to Mojdeh Rohani (’99), co-director of the BRIDGE Program, and associate clinical director of the Community Legal Services and Counseling Center.

“I’ve never met an individual more worthy of the Hubie Jones Urban Service Award,” Staples said when discussing Rohani’s nomination. “You honor me by accepting this award,” Jones told Rohani as he helped present the award.

“To have role models like you, I’m so honored,” Rohani told Staples and Jones. “With your help, I will continue focusing on social justice because that’s what we stand for.”

Outstanding Contributions to the School of Social Work: Jennifer Grahek

Mena daSilva-Clark nominated Online Program Administrator Jennifer Grahek for the Outstanding Contributions to the School of Social Work award.

“Winners of this award have an incredible commitment to the Boston University School of Social Work,” daSilva-Clark said. “We certainly couldn’t do the program without her.”