BUSSW Honors the Class of 2020 with an In-Person Recognition Ceremony
Back in May 2020 when all schools were forced to go into lockdown and operate remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, BUSSW produced a video tribute to the graduates to commemorate their accomplishments. However, it couldn’t replicate the experience of celebrating this important achievement in a formal ceremony.
The School invited all 2020 graduates back to campus on Oct. 3 to honor their accomplishment in person during a Recognition Ceremony held in the Metcalf Trustees Ballroom.
“It is an understatement to say that May 2020, when we were supposed to hold this event, and the many months since then have been challenging,” said Dean Jorge Delva at the event. “The disruption this pandemic has brought has been beyond belief, and has underscored the ethical issues and inequalities that our country and the world must confront to prevent the burden of disease from overwhelmingly falling on marginalized communities. It is for these reasons that I cannot think of a more incredible group of graduates to join the thousands of individuals around the world striving to improve societies…I am humbled by your determination and commitment to finish your graduate degree. Your ability to adapt, stay focused, and remain true to your personal mission must be celebrated.”
The ceremony featured speakers from the School and beyond:
- Commencement speaker: Boston City Councilor Julia Mejia
- Teaching & Excellence Award Recipient: Professor Luz López
- Prof. Dan Miller recognizing PhD candidate Dr. Mihoko Maru, for completing her doctoral education culminating with her excellent dissertation entitled, “A Mixed Method Study of Asian American Adolescent Suicidality”
In May 2020, the virtual event featured student award winners and speakers from each campus:
Student Award Winners
Jessica Roffe, winner of the Saul & David Bernstein Prize
The Saul & David Bernstein Prize is given to a group work student who demonstrates outstanding merit in the classroom and the field.
Heydon Hensley, winner of the Herbert S. Strean Memorial Prize
The Herbert S. Stream Memorial Prize is given to a psychodynamically-oriented student clinical practice student who demonstrates outstanding merit.
Sasha Steinbaugh & Caren Sachs, winners of the Carl D’Ettore Memorial Prize
The Carl D’Ettore Memorial Prize is given to clinical practice students placed in a healthcare setting who demonstrate outstanding merit.
Joseli Alonzo & Cassie Luna, winners of the Sarah B. Lange Changemakers Prize
The Sarah B. Lange Changemakers Prize is given to macro practice students who demonstrate commitment to social justice through work, community service, volunteerism, and/or field placement.
Kristin Normandin & Alena Lauritsen, winners of the Dean’s Award for Leadership in Social Work
The Dean’s Award for Leadership in Social Work is given to part-time students who demonstrate outstanding merit in the classroom, field, and community.
Daniel Mango & Joseph Forson, winners of the Faculty Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice
The Faculty Award for Excellence in Social Work Practice is given to students who demonstrate outstanding merit in the classroom, field, and community
Sarah Randall, winner of the Francis (Frankie) Frank Award
The Francis (Frankie) Frank Award is given to an outstanding student in the Advanced Lowy-GEM Program in Aging and/or Aging Specialization
Student Speakers
Octavio Moreno Lomeli, MSW Online Program
“We each have a story, a personal history that compelled us to be who we are: professional social workers. For me, my family story involved immigrating from Mexico, facing adversity in a world we did not know, and that, most often, did not accept us for who we were. Three simple words kept my family going as we faced challenges, upsets, and success. I didn’t realize until recently that these words that they passed on to me at a very young age would help me to this day. These words were a gift that I now want to pass on to each of you: ‘Si se puede.’ It can be done.”
Taylor Goyette-Frechette, MSW On-Campus Program
“You have all reminded me that my practice of social work is not a solo journey. Instead, it is about collective healing and liberation work. And healing and liberation work is revolutionary movement work. As social workers, we have to live and work for a society that we want to see…Let us not forget the power we have in this quest towards healing and liberation. If we are able to see each other as interconnected and bound to each other, that is where opportunity is sparked.”
Danielle Dubuque, MSW Off-Campus Program in Bedford
“As social workers, we are the star throwers. Now, our work is not as simple as picking up a starfish and throwing it into the water. On a clinical level, we must first assess clients, from their individual stories to their environments. And from there, we collaborate with them in developing treatment plans and interventions. We will work with the starfish to get it back in the water. On a macro level, we will assess the beach, the ocean, and the weather patterns the environment so the starfish don’t find themselves washed up onshore. Looking out over the miles of beach, we may feel overwhelmed by the task set before us, but if we look to our colleagues, to our peers from the Class of 2020, we will cover more ground, reach more starfish, and make a bigger difference.”
Cheyenne Leard, MSW Off-Campus Program in Fall River
“We did not plan on ending our time together by clicking ‘End Call’ during our last Zoom session, and we have shared the anticlimactic feelings that we have each experienced from that…While we weren’t able to finish our last class in person, we were able to end our last class on a quiet Saturday morning in the comfort of our homes, surrounded by our loved ones, fur babies, and everything else we had been separated from while attending BU. It was not what we envisioned; however, it was a gentle way to end a long, tiring, journey. We are entering our MSW careers in an uncertain time when the world needs us more than ever. They need our compassion, our patience, our tenacity, our listening ears, and our warm hearts. I know our communities are in better hands with us in it, and I am excited to see the impact that we will each have.”
Joseph Forson, MSW Worcester Program
“Our cohort has been excited to watch our program grow and showcase its value and strength to the community of Worcester. We have always focused on the idea of justice in practice. We are prepared to use our skills to help those we work with so that they can forge their own path to empowerment and liberation, which we define by being able to have hope, resilience, and seek social change, all of which have been showcased during the current crisis…I cannot forget to acknowledge all our loved ones and everybody who has supported in these past three years. You kept us going, and reminded us that we’re stronger than we think.”