University of Wisconsin–Madison

Year: 2023

Alumna, Dr. Lanikque Howard MSW’14, PhD’18, Recipient of Forward Award

The Forward Award acknowledges rising stars in various fields who exemplify the Wisconsin Idea through an emphasis on service, discovery, and progress. Lanikque Howard wanted to help families like hers, so she became the first in her family to graduate from high school and went on to graduate studies in social work at UW–Madison. When Lanikque Howard …

Mayor’s Proclamation Honors Tresa Matinez’s (MSW ‘86) Retirement as the City of Madison’s Employee Assistance and Crisis Incident Stress Manager

After almost 30 years working in the Employee Assistance Field (the last 18 with the City of Madison), Tresa Martinez recently retired. Acknowledging Tresa’s Contributions, Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway writes in a city proclamation honoring her work: Tresa managed a robust system of trauma informed resources, employee wellness programs, return to work services, peer support …

Alan D. Wade, BA ’50, MSW ’52 (PhD University of Chicago), Reflects on His Education and Career, 73 Years After Graduation

I have warm feelings for my six years at the university. At 96, Professor Alan Wade remembers taking classes with Helen I. Clarke, the first faculty member hired to teach social work at UW-Madison, Arthur Miles, Director at the time, and Werner Boehm. He explains that he, “continues to be a loyal, dyed in the …

Alum Naomi Takahashi, MSW ‘12, Named “One of Wisconsin’s Most Influential Asian American Leaders”

Madison 365, a non-profit organization that “fosters dialog between diverse communities,” recognized Naomi Takahashi, MSW ’12, for her contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Naomi is the director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at the UW-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health and UW Health, where she supports DEI program expansion and strategic development. She …

Margie Zutter’s, BA ‘76, Field Placement Turns Into a 46 Year Career

Upon her retirement in August, Margie Zutter, currently the Executive Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Dane County, WI will end the career she began as a UW-Madison Social Work intern in 1976. Through RSVP, from 1976 to the present, Margie collaborated with many community agencies to develop programs that utilized …

Caroline Beidler’s, MSSW ’16, New Book Shares Her Road to Recovery and Offers Support for Others’ Journey

In her recent book, Downstairs Church: Finding Hope in the Grit of Addiction and Trauma Recovery, Caroline (Miller) Beidler, MSW ’16, shares her road to recovery from substance abuse and explores the problem of addiction and trauma for women today. With a spiritual bent (the “Downtown Church” part of the title refers to the many …

Assistant Professor LB Klein Part of Team Awarded “Increasing Social and Economic Inclusion Grant”

The UW-Madison Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education (OVCRGE) has awarded almost $250,000 for a new research project to Assistant Professor LB Klein (co-investigator) and colleagues. The project aims to address barriers to care for sexual violence survivors of color, LGBTQ+ survivors, survivors living in poverty, and people with multiple minoritized …

Nancy Saíz, MSW ’02, Named a “Women of Distinction”

Since 1974 the YWCA of Madison, WI has celebrated the achievements of outstanding women whose community service, professional achievement, integrity, and leadership have made significant contributions to their community. School alum Nancy Saíz was born in Mexico City and moved to Madison to pursue her undergraduate and graduate education. After working in health care settings …

Staff and Faculty Recognized for Outstanding Contributions

The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work is fortunate to have talented and dedicated staff and faculty who not only make the school run, but provide an environment and education in which students are challenged with care and can thrive. Four people were recognized this year for their extraordinary efforts. Debby Hannon O’Connell Award for …

Graduating Student Meg Mercy Wins Theodore Herfurth and Teddy Kubly Award for Comprehensive Undergraduate Excellence

University of Wisconsin–Madison graduating seniors Meg Mercy and Cole Roecker have been named 2023 winners of Theodore Herfurth and Teddy Kubly Awards for Comprehensive Undergraduate Excellence, among the oldest and most prestigious honors on campus. The awards are given annually to two seniors who have made the most effective use of their time at UW–Madison. Each …