BUSSW Alumni Association Awards

Outstanding Career in Social Work

This award acknowledges and honors a BUSSW graduate who, throughout their career (minimum twenty years), has consistently demonstrated exceptional contributions to the profession and the community-at-large.

Nominators are asked to give examples of the nominee’s contributions throughout their career in any or all aspects of social work practice including advocacy; clinical practice with individuals, families, and/or groups; education; community organization; administration; program development; research; public policy; and social planning.

Outstanding Contributions to the School of Social Work

This award acknowledges and honors BUSSW faculty and staff whose contributions to social work education have been outstanding. It is understood that the nominee has been actively involved in social work education at Boston University through one or more of the following: teaching, supervision, consultation, research, administration, staff support, and/or scholarship.

Nominators are asked to give concrete examples of the nominee’s contributions to the School in any or all of the following areas:
a. Social work education in the development of knowledge (through research), the dissemination of knowledge (through teaching), and/or scholarship or administration.
b. Demonstration of exceptional effectiveness, gaining respect and admiration of colleagues, alumni, and/or students.
c. Putting into practice the School’s urban mission and goals.
d. Providing exceptional staff support that benefits the BUSSW community–faculty, staff, alumni, and/or students.

The Hubie Jones Urban Service Award

This award, which recognizes the many contributions of Dean Emeritus Hubie Jones, acknowledges and honors a BUSSW graduate who actively pursues the urban mission and goals of the School through their practice of social work.

Nominators are asked to give concrete examples of how the nominee has put into practice the urban mission and goals of the School by furthering social and economic justice; empowering oppressed groups; building on the strengths of children, families, communities, and organizations; demonstrating leadership in a complex multicultural society; demonstrating skills needed to mediate conflicts brought about by social, racial, and economic inequity in the urban environment; and/or by advocating for the recognition of emerging fields of practice and job opportunities for social work professionals.

The Ken Schulman BUSSW Spirit Award

This award is named for Ken Schulman, our former associate dean for enrollment services and alumni relations who epitomized the School of Social Work’s community and spirit throughout his career and left behind a legacy of kindness and compassion towards students, alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as enduring enthusiasm, passion, and commitment to BUSSW. The nominee may be a member of the faculty, staff, student body, or alumni.

Please provide a concrete example of the nominee’s BUSSW spirit that highlights their commitment to the School through community engagement, acting as an ambassador of the School, and uplifting the spirit of the BUSSW community.

Areas of contribution may include:

• fundraising
• student recruitment
• community engagement
• volunteering/dedicating time to support students and/or alumni
• nurturing others through generosity of spirit and sharing of time, knowledge and care
• connecting students & alumni and encouraging participation in School and Alumni Association activities

The BUSSW Emerging Professional Award

The BUSSW Emerging Professional Award acknowledges and honors a recent BUSSW graduate (maximum five years post-graduation) who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to the profession and the community at large. Nominators are asked to provide one concrete example of the nominee’s contributions throughout their career in any or all aspects of social work practice including:

• advocacy
• clinical practice with individuals, families, and/or groups
• education
• community organization
• administration
• program development
• research
• public policy
• social planning

The 2022 BUSSSW Alumni Association Awards were held on Saturday, October 1, at BU Alumni Weekend.

Congratulations to our 2022 award recipients:

• Richard “Rik” Cornell (SSW’87) – Outstanding Career in Social Work
• Maya Milic-Strkalj (SSW’12) – Hubie Jones Urban Service Award
• Betty J. Ruth (SSW’84, SPH’85) – Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Social Work
• Kristina Whiton-O’Brien (SSW’95) – Outstanding Contributions to the School of Social Work

Learn more about our award recipients here.

Watch the recording: