WINTER 2011 E- Newsletter

Alumni Board Hosts Reception at Historic Hull House Museum

On October 18^th, the Jane Addams College of Social Work alumni constituency board hosted an alumni reception. Board President, Nicole Milano (MSW ’01, BSW ’00), spoke to nearly 60 attendees about ways that alumni could get involved with the college. Alumni from graduating classes that spanned more than 50 years were in attendance and enjoyed good food, lively conversation and toured the historic museum. Alumni are encouraged to visit the college website to find out how to get involved and stay connected.

Upper Left: Dean Creasie Finney Hairston with Chancellor Paula Allen-Meares. 

Upper Right: Jane Addams alumni enjoy a reception held in the historic Hull House Museum.

Lower Left: Jane Addams alumni tour the Hull House as part of a private alumni reception.

Alumni Donors Attend Dean's Scholarship Dinner to Meet Students Benefiting from Their Support

Students and families were honored by the college and the donors who extend invaluable support to them at the Dean's Scholarship Dinner on November 8^th. Nearly 100 students, family members, friends, faculty and staff attended the event at the UIC Forum. Lon S. Kaufman, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost, greeted the audience. Jane Addams College scholarship and fellowship recipients were able to personally meet the donors who are making their scholarship support possible.

Dean's Award recipient, Jessica Mack, gave remarks in which she recalled the support she received from a school social worker when, as a child, she was struggling in classes and dealing with her parents' divorce. Ms. Mack is currently in the school social work concentration in the college. "I want to become the type of school social worker that the students feel comfortable with, knowing they are in a safe place and can truly open up with me," she said. "I would like to extend my sincere gratitude on behalf of all the recipients, for many of us, including myself it would not have been possible to pursue this education without your generous donations."

Jessica Mack (center) was able to personally thank donor Katie Livingston Brock from the

Chicago Foundlings Home (left) for their scholarship support.

Please Consider Supporting the JACSW Scholarship Fund

Each year, more than 200 new graduates leave the Jane Addams College of Social Work with the skills needed to influence their own life and the lives of many others. The education they receive here prepares them for effective, compassionate social work practice in numerous settings including schools, community centers, child welfare agencies, hospitals and clinics. 

Scholarship recipient Beatriz Marquez Gorman is currently pursuing her MSW at Jane Addams. As a school social worker, Ms. Gorman sees her role as one that extends beyond the classroom. Her field placement is at UIC College Prep High School where she not only works with students, but often coordinates services with teachers and school administrators to address the needs of the students’ families. As the only Spanish speaking social worker on staff at the school, Ms. Gorman knows she is playing a valuable role:

“When you work with a vulnerable population, it’s important to be

culturally competent to gain the trust of the person with whom you are working. 

Because I am bilingual and bicultural, I am able to connect with my

students in ways that others can’t.  My strong connection to this community allows

me to make a significant difference not only in the lives of the students,

but within the infrastructure and policies of the school.”

Beatriz Marquez Gorman (left) joined fellow scholarship recipients and Dean Hairston for the annual Dean’s Scholarship Dinner.

As 2011 comes to an end, please consider supporting the Jane Addams College of Social Work. You can support scholarships for students like Beatriz by making your tax-deductible gift today:

1.      Online by visiting our secure web site support.uic.edu/YourGift/ and entering your personal web code of: (i2)

2.      Mail a check, made payable to University of Illinois Foundation/JACSW to the following address: Office of Advancement, UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work, 1040 W. Harrison Street, Rm. 4018 (MC 309), Chicago, IL 60607-7134.

Alumni Updates

Donald Dew (MSW ’80), President and CEO of Habilitative Systems, Inc., a behavioral health and human services organization on the west side of Chicago, hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony on October 28^th opening the Enola A. Dew Apartments for Senior Living at 4623 W. Gladys St., Chicago. This facility is named in honor of Mr. Dew’s mother who was a public health advocate.

Beth Evans (MSW ’11) writes that she is in Taiwan and excited for an upcoming opportunity volunteering to assist families who come to Taiwan to adopt children from the Taiwanese orphanages. 

Judy Samuels Freedman (MSW ’71) was the recipient of the Illinois Association of School Social Workers’ (IASSW) 2011 School Social Worker of the year. This award was presented at the Annual IASSW Conference on October 28^th. Judy was recognized for her pioneering efforts to understand and combat bullying in the schools. Her 2002 book, “Easing the Teasing” is widely used in colleges and universities, is now in its eighth printing and has been translated into Portuguese and Chinese.

Emma Kalaidjian (MSW ’74) writes “my master’s program at Jane Addams was a rich educational experience that has since enhanced my practice in three different careers.”  She started her first career as a social worker, an individual and family therapist and was in the field for nine years. Subsequently, she was a corporate and investment attorney with Allstate Insurance Company for 25 years and recently started a personal financial planning, retirement planning and investment advisory business. Emma volunteers as the Co-Chair of the Chicago Chapter of The Transition Network (TTN). TTN is a national organization of professional women 50 or older, with a presence in more than 13 cities around the US. TTN provides support and direction to women who are transitioning out of full-time careers and seeking new focus for their skills, education, experience and energy. TTN is also about changing traditional notions about and attitudes toward older women. TTN offers an interactive website with discussion forums, bulletin boards and other resources to help one discover new options and embrace change after 50. 

Merrill C. Kenna (MSW ’95) resides in Bangkok, Thailand and currently serves as the International Advisor to the Pavena Foundation for Women and Children in Thailand, which focuses on human trafficking. Merrill provides direction to the agency for programming and philanthropy. Merrill is also the project manager for Africa ICT Right (AIR), an NGO located in Accra, Ghana. ACT has a focus on providing information technology to schools (computers, Internet access, and training) that are located in poor and oftentimes remote locations. In addition, she is the Founder and President of MPK-Grants-Consulting located in Bangkok and consults with non-profits and NGO's domestically in the US and throughout Asia. Merrill writes, “In my spare time, I also provide counseling to Expats who have relocated to Thailand and have psycho-social issues related to living in a different culture. Most clients have issues which focus on anxiety, depression, and cultural issues associated with blended multicultural families. Indeed, my education received at Jane Addams prepared me for a full life in serving the non-profit world and in providing support to those most in need.”

Kathleen Petersen (MSW ’08) writes, “I am now in my 4^th year as a school social worker at Maryville Academy Jen School. Also, I just passed my LCSW exam on August 20^th! Still proud of my MSW from JACSW!” Congratulations, Katie.

Jo Anne Smith (MSW ’80) was featured in the Chicago Tribune on September 9^th as a “Remarkable Person.” The paper cited her background in social work and her efforts to empower women in Cook County Jail using her love of knitting.

Let us hear from you to share news of your activities and accomplishments with other alumni. Send information and updates to Faith Bonecutter at faithjb@uic.edu.

Coming soon!! Call for Nominations for the Jane Addams College of Social Work Pioneer Award

The Jane Addams College of Social Work Pioneer Award was established to recognize alumni who have made significant, innovative, or pioneering contributions to a community, state, or nation consistent with the mission of the college. Nominations for the Pioneer Award may come from alumni or friends of the Jane Addams College of Social Work. James H. Williams (MSW ’93, PhD ’03), recognized for his outstanding contributions to persons with mental illness involved in the criminal justice system and for his overall sustained leadership and commitment to social justice and social reform was the 2011 Pioneer Award recipient.

The award will be presented at the Spring 2012 commencement ceremony. Look for the Call for Nominations and further details in a subsequent email announcement and on the college website and Facebook page.

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Jane Addams College of Social Work

1040 W. Harrison Street    (MC 309)

Chicago, IL 60607-7134   

Phone: 312-996-3034

Fax: 312-996-1852

Email: jacswadm@uic.edu              

Website: www.socialwork.uic.edu