Graduation Hindsight

Graduation brings a mixture of grief and excitement. Grief, due to the melancholy realization that the MSW journey has come to an end; being a student is wonderful in so many ways. And excitement, for the next step and for honoring all this hard work(!)

For my last blog, I’d like to share with anyone who may read, things I wished I had done differently and those that went just fine:

I wish I would have…

      took the first year (and second, for that matter) internship search process waay slower. While I think any internship can be a learning experience, I wish I would have explored a wider range of options, especially since I’m one of those ambivalent community/clinical students

      been way more involved at GSSW!!! I tried to get involved in clubs/student orgs my second year but really wish I would have hit the ground running from the onset. Let’s just say your GSSW classmates accomplish some amaaazing things. 

      entered a race or some sort of sports league. intramural leagues are available through the Ritchie center but I never jumped on it. Keeping a regimented and sane exercise routine proved difficult to say the least.

      taken classes in different concentrations. I chose OLPP, which was fabulous. However, the one clinical class I took was very enriching and I wish I would have branched out more from the onset…there’s that ambivalence again!

I’m patting myself on the back for…

       doing the Certificate for Social Work with Latinos/as. Not only did this program help me explore my own mixed race identity and what that means for my social work practice, I got to truly get to know 10 amazing people. Developing relationships aside, the type of teaching within the certificate really allowed me to be vulnerable, take risks, and grow as a result. 

figuring out my work-school-social-home life balance. Having work-study and a part-time job almost seemed like too much at first, but it ultimately worked and the extra dollars cut down on the stress of making ends meet.

moving to the mountains! It seemed way to far away but i absolutely love it out here and the drive is totally worth it.

     pushing myself to learn. In my opinion, regardless of the instructor, you get what you put into any class. Admittedly challenging at times, I’m glad I tried my darndest to do the readings, be present in class discussion, and put effort into assignments. As a result, I feel changed for the better and grateful for the opportunity to learn and develop as a person, and as a social worker. 

MSW Priority application date is right around the corner!

For some readers of this blog our subject might be a reminder to submit an application. For some readers this might be the first time you’ve thought about submitting an application to get your MSW. For some, you’ve already submitted and are probably thinking “did I get in?”

For those that have not yet submitted their application it is not too late! We thought we would provide some tips for applying and know it’s not too late to apply and still join us next Fall!

Tip #1

GSSW has three different MSW program applications currently available. One in Denver, one in Durango, and one in Glenwood Springs. Now the question might be: what program is right for me? Well ask yourself the following question:

Where do I currently live or would prefer to live as a MSW student?

If you answered Denver then you will need to apply online by visiting: http://www.du.edu/socialwork/admission/index.html

• Our Denver program is currently accepting applications for our Advanced Standing (BSW holders only) and Two-Year MSW programs. If you are applying as a two year student select Fall, if you are applying as an Advanced Standing select Summer when starting your application.

If you answered Durango then you will need to download our application and mail it into our office. To get your very own copy of our application please visit: http://www.du.edu/socialwork/media/documents/fourcornersapplication.pdf.

• Our Four Corners Program (located in Durango) is currently accepting applications for our Advanced Standing (BSW holding) students only.

If you answered Glenwood Springs then you will need to download our application and mail it into our office. To get your very own copy of our application please visit: http://www.du.edu/socialwork/media/documents/westerncoapp.pdf.

• Our Western Colorado Program (located in Glenwood Springs) is currently accepting applications for our Two Year program.

Tip #2

Have your transcripts sent to GSSW directly. This is for all programs!

What’s the address you may ask? Well our address is:

Graduate School of Social Work

University of Denver

2148 S. High St.

Denver, CO 80208

GSSW can accept some electronic transcripts. Before requesting an electronic  transcript be sent please check with Nick Ota-Wang at Nick.Ota-Wang@du.edu.

Tip #3

Ask for recommendations before you apply.

Giving a recommender a heads up that you are applying will give them time to watch for our recommendation request and give them time to submit your recommendation.

Remind your recommenders  that our email maybe in their junk/spam folder.

Tip #4

Your career goal statement, and your resume are your documents. Both tell us about you and why you would be a great fit to join the GSSW student body.

Keep your career goal statement between 7-10 pages double spaced. Answer questions in order asked, and if you want to use labels please do. If you want to write a flowing essay please do. It’s up to you!

Your resume should be a professional resume but remember that volunteer experience.

Tip #5

Email gssw-admission@du.edu or call our office 303-871-2841 with questions, check your application status, and to ensure we have received your materials. We want to hear from you!

Fun face about GSSW: We were founded in 1931, have been fully accredited since 1933, and are the oldest MSW program in the Rocky Mountain Region. Come be part of a long historic tradition of excellent Social Work Practice!

2014-2015 Information Sessions

Interested in obtaining your MSW degree? Ever wonder how the application process, financial aid, and academic work happens at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work?

If your answer to any or all of the questions above is YES then please consider signing up for one our information sessions this year!

• September 20 (Saturday, 9-noon)
• October 10 (Friday, 1-4)
• November 14 (Friday, 1-4)
• December 5 (Friday, 1-4)
• January 10 (Saturday, 9-noon)
• March 6 (Friday, 1-4)
• May 15 (Friday, 1-4)

To RSVP click here.

The sessions will be held in the Community Room in Craig Hall.

If you have any questions or would like to have the opportunity to speak with one of our Admission & Financial Aid staff please email us at gssw-admission@du.edu or give us a call (303)-871-2841.

We look forward to seeing you or speaking with you soon!

GSSW Deans and Directors Series: Leverne McCummings, 5th GSSW Dean, 1978-1985

LEVERNE MCCUMMINGS (1932-)

5^TH GSSW Dean, 1978-1985

The first person of color to serve as director or dean of GSSW.

The first African American to serve as a graduate dean at the University of Denver.

LeVerne McCummings was born and raised in South Carolina, attending segregated elementary and secondary schools in Marion County. Although his family moved to Philadelphia when he was 19, McCummings returned to the South, attending St. Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina from 1952 to 1960. (His undergraduate work was interrupted by two years of military service in the U.S. Army.) He graduated from St. Augustine’s (a four year liberal arts college for African Americans, operated by the Episcopal Church), majoring in social studies, with minors in psychology and urban mental health. As a college student, he was active in two national civil rights organizations. After graduation, he married Betty Hall, who later earned a doctorate in public administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

He began his practice career in the Philadelphia area, starting in 1960. Over the next 15 years, McCummings worked in various positions as a public school teacher; a public welfare caseworker; development director for the Lutheran Social Mission Society; community development director for the Wharton Settlement House; and held several administrative or executive positions in the Model Cities Program in Philadelphia. He also held administrative positions in public and private agencies in Columbus, Ohio, while completing his doctorate.

McCummings completed his MSW in 1966 at University of Pennsylvania. In 1973, he joined the social work faculty at University of Kentucky. He earned a doctorate in social work from Ohio State University in 1975, while also serving on that faculty as an assistant professor. His areas of expertise were group work, administration, health, and aging. He spent two contentious years as a faculty member at Syracuse University School of Social Work, battling what he perceived to be entrenched institutional racism.

He came to DU in 1977 as Associate Professor. Became GSSW Dean in 1978, at age 45. Later, was elected president of the Council of Deans and Directors (1982-1985). His tenure as GSSW Dean occurred during a period of prolonged severe financial crisis at the University. Much conflict occurred with the faculty over program direction, hiring, budget and spending priorities, and the threat of GSSW’s potential consolidation with the School of Professional Psychology and College of Education–which would have resulted in the loss of GSSW’s status as an independent academic unit. McCummings left GSSW in 1985 to become the President of Cheyney University in Philadelphia, one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges in the United States, which was threatened with loss of accreditation because of its own prolonged financial crises and administrative turnover. McCummings served as president of Cheyney until 1991.

4th GSSW Dean – Kenneth W. Kindelsperger (1914-2000)

KENNETH W. KINDELSPERGER (1914-2000)
4th GSSW Dean (1971-1978)
Interim Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs (1978-1979)
Acting Dean, Colorado Women’s College, 1980-82 (supervising its merger with DU)
Recipient, Outstanding Service to the University of Denver Award, 1986

Ken Kindelsperger was born in Galesberg, Illinois. Ken received a B.S. and M.S. degree in social group work from George Williams College (Chicago) in 1942. He completed his doctorate at the Syracuse School of Social Service Administration in 1956. He held various social work positions in Chicago while attending college and graduate school. During WW II, Ken served as Lt. Commander, U.S. Naval Reserves, which included a stint as Fleet Morale Officer at Pearl Harbor. After the war, he was the Secretary for Planning and Research for the Council of Social Agencies at Syracuse, NY, and eventually joined the social work faculty at University of Buffalo in 1950. Subsequently, he served as dean of schools of social work at three universities: Syracuse University, University of Louisville (KT), and University of Denver.

Two major themes highlight his career as a social work educator and administrator. First, he was committed to international social work. He worked for two years in India, studying social problems and helping to establish schools of social work. Later, he made two visits to South Vietnam as a consultant for the Agency for International Development, studying social welfare conditions and making recommendations. He traveled to many other countries and served on numerous international committees at CSWE and other social work organizations. Second, he was deeply committed to the advancement of civil rights for oppressed racial and ethnic groups. As Dean of the Kent School of Social Work at Louisville, he participated in the march on the state capital to demand passage of civil rights legislation.

He came to GSSW during the time when student protests over the Vietnam War and racial discrimination were at fever pitch. Although faced with the loss of federal stipends for social work training, instituted by the Nixon administration, he nonetheless managed to increase significantly the number of MSW and doctoral students of color, and also increased the faculty of color. He was a widely respected administrator, known as hard working, compassionate, and fair.
Ken and his older brother, Walter, were both deans of social work at the same time–the only known set of “brother deans” in the history of the profession.

18th Chancellor for the University of Denver named

Dr. Rebecca Chopp

18th Chancellor University of Denver

Photo courtesy of: University of Denver

 

The University of Denver announced today, June 12, 2014 that the 18th Chancellor of the University of Denver is Dr. Rebecca Chopp.

Dr. Chopp comes to DU from from Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania where she has served as President since 2009 and will join the University of Denver community as Chancellor on September 1, 2014 as the first female chancellor of the university.

More information about Dr. Chopp’s appointment as Chancellor and her professional background can be viewed online: http://www.du.edu/chancellor-search/index.html and/or by reading her interview with the DU Magazine: http://magazine.du.edu/campus-community/university-of-denver-names-rebecca-chopp-president-of-swarthmore-as-18th-chancellor/

The Graduate School of Social Work looks forward to welcoming Dr. Chopp to campus tomorrow and again in the coming months. For more information on tomorrows events at the Anderson Academic Commons please visit: http://www.du.edu/chancellor-search/index.html.

 

Hasan Hasanović’s personal account “Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide”

“Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide”

a first-person account

by: Hasan Hasanović

January 29, 2014

Graduate School of Social Work

Craig Hall Community Room

University of Denver

The world is full of many amazing individuals who have seen, heard, and felt loss, tragedy, and oppression. Many things in this world we wish would never continue and we hope don’t happen again, one of these is genocide.

The Graduate School of Social Work was honored to open the University of Denver’s Sesquicentennial (150th) Anniversary celebration lecture series with our guest Hasan Hasanović on Wednesday, January 29. Hasan is currently the Curator and Interpreter of Bosnia’s Srebrenica-Potočari Cemetery and Memorial Centre. As a survivor of the Srebrenica Genocide he provides the global community with one of many faces of courage, and strength.

His lecture entitled “Surviving the Srebrenica Genocide” brought a first hand account of the genocide in Srebrenica. His story brings the impact this genocide has had on Bosnia, his family, and the global community.

One of Hasan’s opening slides is the Flower of Srebrenica.

The flower of Srebrenica. A symbol to help us not forget the Srebrenica Genocide.  Photo courtesy of Nick Ota-Wang

Hasan’s lecture brings forward a piece of world history that not many are aware of. His first hand account, and survival demonstrates the strength that individuals’ can carry. Getting the chance to hear him speak and meet him in person is extremely special and something I will never forget. ~Nick Ota-Wang, Admission Assistant, Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver

A warm DU welcome to Hasan!

Many community members came to welcome Hasan to the University of Denver campus! Over 300 individuals from the DU community, Denver community, and global community came to welcome Hasan to Denver, and campus.

Pictured below is Hasan with Ann Petrila, Director of Field Education, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver. Ann is one of the many people who helped to bring Hasan to campus and give him a wonderful welcome!

From left to right: Ann Petrila (Director of Field Education for the Graduate School of Social Work, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver),Hasan Hasanović (Guest lecturer). Photo courtesy of DU Marketing & Communications.

GSSW is pleased to thank Chancellor Robert Coombe, Provost Gregg Kvistad, Dean James Herbert Williams and Ann Petrila for welcoming Hasan to campus.

From left to right: Dean James Herbert Williams (Dean, Graduate School of Social Work), Ann Petrila (Director of Field Education for the Graduate School of Social Work, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver), Hasan Hasanović (Guest lecturer), Chancellor Robert Coombe (Chancellor University of Denver), Gregg Kvistad (Provost, University of Denver).Photo courtesy of DU Marketing & Communications.

Following his lecture and the reception Hasan and Ann were able to debrief and celebrate an amazing visit to Denver. Thank you to Hasan Hasanović for making it to campus and sharing his story with our community.

From left to right: Hasan Hasanović (Guest lecturer), Ann Petrila (Director of Field Education for the Graduate School of Social Work, and Director of ISL Bosnia & Herzegovina for the University of Denver). Photo courtesy of Nick Ota-Wang.

The University of Denver will have more lectures throughout the school year in celebration of the Universities Sesquicentennial.  Please visit: http://www.du.edu/DU150 for all happenings in 2014 at the University of Denver. #UDenver150

Questions about this posting and its images can please be directed to Nick Ota-Wang via email Nick.Ota-Wang@du.edu.

DU celebrates its Sesquicentennial (150 years)

The University of Denver will celebrate its Sesquicentennial (150 Years) as a university in 2014.

Below is a picture of campus as it would have looked in 1864.

Photo courtesy of: http://blogs.du.edu/magazine/files/2013/11/OldCampus-2c892s3.jpg

Below is what campus looks like today (2014):

Photo courtesy of: http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg112/MobyLL/DU/UniversityHall2.jpg

Both photos are of University Hall which was is currently the oldest building on the DU campus. Ground breaking on University Hall took place around 1890 (http://hdl.handle.net/10176/codu:55330)

As part of the larger university celebrations the university is hosting many events throughout the year to help the DU community, supporters, and alumni celebrate this momentous moment in the universities history. The main university blog posted a great article about the history of the university that we at GSSW think you all should go read and share. Their blog can be viewed at:  http://blogs.du.edu/magazine/campus-community/university-to-celebrate-150th-anniversary-throughout-2014.

In addition to this great article the university has a Sesquicentennial website with all the events and information that will happen over the next school year. We encourage everyone to visit: http://www.du.edu/live/eventseries.html#sesquicentennial.

The GSSW Class of 2014 is graduating in an unique year for the university and are also our last class to graduate under our old curriculum. Lots of changes are happening at GSSW and at DU and we hope everyone is ready for the journey with us!

Happy Sesquicentennial DU! We’re glad to be a part of such a great university!

Nelson Mandela 1918-2013

Photo courtesy of ABC News.

The recent passing of Nelson Mandela brings a unique historical moment for the University of Denver and the Graduate School of Social Work. Our Dean James Herbert Williams, adjunct faculty member Bruce Guernsey, and staff member Ethan Crawford took a group of nine students to South Africa as part of our International Courses & Internship opportunities.

Dean Williams, and the rest of the GSSW family were in South Africa when Nelson Mandela passed away on December 5, 2013. Some of the students who took the opportunity to blog about what they were experiencing on a first hand basis. A wonderful example written by MSW student Aaron Earley can be read at: http://gsswblog.du.edu/globalpractice/2013/12/06/nelson-mandela-it-always-seems-impossible-until-its-done/. The author of this posting also took this photo of the South African flag at half-staff in memory of and to honor the life of this remarkable individual.

Photo courtesy of Aaron Earley

The rest of the blog postings from this unique trip and opportunity for the GSSW students can be viewed at: http://gsswblog.du.edu/globalpractice/category/blogs/south-africa/.

Nelson Mandela will not be forgotten and what he did for South Africa and the world is a true gift. Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. The world is a better place for having you lived among the human race.

*** This posting will be updated with further links to student blog postings or thoughts upon the students return to campus.

Holiday Greetings from Dean James Herbert Williams