“Since I was young, I can remember always loving horses,” explains Laura Mengars, MSW ’13. A psychotherapist, this year Laura has taken that passion to found “Healing in Rhythm,” an equine-assisted therapy practice specializing in trauma, substance abuse, and other mental health challenges. While many people are familiar with using dogs as service and therapy …
Aubrey D. Johnson, MSW ’15, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 7, 2022. According to her obituary, “Memorials, including in lieu of flowers may be made to’Madison Journey Mental Health,’ ‘The Madison Rape Crisis Center,’ or ‘Moose Charities – The Wisconsin Home.’ Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.” Her full obituary is here.
Bob Barry, a long-time supporter of the School passed away on March 10, 2022 in Appleton, Wisconsin. Bob served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps in the South Pacific during World War II. After a short stint as a movie theater manager, he began his life in Social Services. He started with the Green Bay …
Last week, The Chronicle for Higher Education published a story about trauma caused by the pandemic on university faculty and staff. The story highlights the work of our alum, Dr. James (Dimitri) Topitzes, PhD ’06, a professor of social work at UW-Milwaukee. “’For many people, the pandemic is not just an irritant,’ Topitzes said. “’It …
School alumna Dr. Beth Angell, currently the Dean of the School of Social Work at Virginia Commonwealth University, will assume the Deanship at the University of Michigan on July 1, 2022. She earned her MSW and her doctorate in social welfare, both from UW–Madison. While in Madison, Dr. Angell worked closely with Emeritus Professor Mary …
Clinical Faculty Professor of Social Work Norma Berkowitz passed away on January 14, 2022, at the age of 92. She joined the faculty in 1968, retiring in 1993. Norma taught in the development disability and health areas, and was an active member of UW–Madison’s Waisman Center. A mentor to many students and colleagues, Norma’s service …
The National Association of Social Workers has named Professor Jean Quam a Social Work Pioneer. The honor is awarded “to social workers who have contributed to the evolution and enrichment of the profession, and whose…unique dedication, commitment, and determination have improved social and human conditions.” A faculty member at the School of Social Work at …
The Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work Board of Visitors recently selected Dr. Jeffrey Edleson, MSSW ’75, PhD ’79 as the recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award. Professor Edleson recently retired as the Dean of the University of California-Berkeley School of Social Welfare where he served for seven years and will remain on the …
Anna Gorman, BSW ’18 (also MSW from Washington University in St. Louis), was recently hired as the first full-time Survivor Advocate for Survivor Services at the UW–Madison’s University Health Services. The Survivor Services Advocacy Program was recently developed to expand services for students who experienced sexual or relationship violence. As Anna explains: There are many …