Brown School

In the battle against bullying, school officials and parents usually focus on the behavior of the bully, but to get to the root of the problem, they also must look at the physical structure of the school, says Ronald O. Pitner, Ph.D., school violence expert and assistant professor of social work at Washington University in St. Louis. More…

When thinking about the well-being of older adults, most people focus on medical care, but mental health care is a growing, pressing concern for older adults and their families. “At least one in five older adults suffer from a mental disorder and experts in geriatric mental health anticipate an ‘unprecedented explosion’ of older adults with disabling mental disorder,” says Enola K. Proctor, Ph.D., mental health care expert and professor of social work at Washington University in St. Louis. “While older adults may receive adequate medical and psychiatric care, they rarely receive the care necessary to deal with the general ‘problems with living,’ or social stresses. These psychosocial problems, such as isolation and family stress, may exacerbate psychiatric problems, depression in particular, and contribute to functional decline.”

GephardtThe George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis announces the new Richard A. Gephardt Public Service Scholarship. Recognizing the need for trained social work professionals who engage in public service roles and who promote civic inclusion, this two-year full-tuition award will help advance the education of individuals committed to making a difference through service with a focus on stimulating volunteerism and political engagement. Applications for the Gephardt Public Service Scholarship are available at http://gwbweb.wustl.edu/academic/msw/admission.asp. For more information about the School of Social Work or to find out about additional scholarship opportunities for the fall, call 935-6676.

George Warren Brown School of Social Work students in Dr. Stephanie Boddie’s community development class have been working with the St. Louis County Planning Department and the Glasgow Village Trustees to lay the groundwork for a Community Improvement District for unincorporated Glasgow Village.

“When colleagues have professed great satisfaction about being a part of this community, it validates what we are doing,” Chancellor Wrighton said.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recipients will be Alvin Schorr, William Siedhoff & Bernarda Wong; Gautam Yadama & Sima Needleman also will be honored.

Washington University in St. Louis was named one of the top three Best Places to Work in the St. Louis Business Journal’s annual survey of area employees. At a dinner and reception April 20 at The Westin Hotel, Washington University was named the best workplace in the large employer category.

Attendees can sample food from more than 20 countries at an international banquet, after which students will present dance, music, song and poetry from around the world.

The George Warren Brown School of Social Work will honor three distinguished alumni, a distinguished faculty member and a recipient of the Dean’s Medal for outstanding school service during its annual alumni banquet on May 2 at the YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Heritage Center. The 2006 alumni award recipients are Alvin L. Schorr, William F. Siedhoff and Bernarda (Bernie) Wong. Gautam N. Yadama, Ph.D., associate professor and director of international programs at the School of Social Work will receive the 2006 Distinguished Faculty Award. The 2006 Dean’s Medalist is Sima K. Needleman.

From thought-provoking presentations and informative exhibitions to traditional foods and lively entertainment, international students in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work will offer a taste of their homelands during the 12th annual International Festival April 27 and 29. The theme of this year’s festival, which is free and open to the public, is “Bringing the World to You.”