Distinguished Graduates: A New Tradition
The fall 2013 semester marked the beginning of a new tradition recognizing five distinguished graduates from to the College of Social Work at the annual student scholarship dinner. The College’s commitment to service lives on through its students and alumni, exemplified by the five special people acknowledged as this year’s dinner, including: Distinguished Emeritus Alumni Award (Joyce Laidlaw), Distinguished Young Alumni Award (Dana Morris-Brooks), Distinguished Field Educator Award (Sharon Maxwell-Ferguson), Distinguished Alumni in Social Work Practice Award (Jeanene Janes) and Distinguished Alumni in Social Policy in Administration Award (Guy Spearman).
Distinguished Emeritus Alumni Award
Emeritus alumna Joyce Laidlaw (pictured above with Dean Nick Mazza) grew up in Tallahassee, attended Leon High School and matriculated into FSU where she graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor’s in social work. While at FSU, she was a member of the student organization Baptist Campus Ministry. Joyce was a pioneer in the College, when she established the Joyce Laidlaw Scholarships of Graduate Students in Child Welfare in 2001. A long-time supporter of the College and the field of child welfare, Joyce is committed to supporting students dedicated to pursuing a career in child welfare. Joyce has remarked that establishing the scholarship at the College of Social Work was one of the best things she and her husband Don Laidlaw have done and they enjoy receiving the “thank you” letters from the scholarship recipients.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Dana N. Morris- Brooks, JD graduated from Florida State cum laude with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2001, earned her Master of Social Work degree in 2003. After obtaining her MSW, Dana worked as a clinician. She then earned her law degree from the FSU College of Law, magna cum laude, in 2007. She is also a member of the Florida Bar. She wanted to affect change on a grand scale, which prompted her to pursue her law degree. Dana’s varied legal background include experience in civil litigation, family law, criminal law and law office administration. She is also a Supreme Court Certified Family Law Mediator and settled several marital and custody disputes. Her background in the mental health field has strengthened her desire to help at-risk persons and those most in need of an effective legal advocate. She understands what it means to be the underdog against big business and insurance companies. Currently, Dana specializes in Medical Malpractice, but says she calls herself a social worker with a law degree.
Distinguished Social Work Educator Award
Dr. Sharon Maxwell-Ferguson, Professor Emeritus graduated with her bachelor’s degree in 1970, her MSW in 1975, and finally her doctoral degree in 1987. As a long-serving faculty member and Associate Dean, Sharon’s contributions to the College, University, social work profession and the community are exemplary for all social work educators. She taught courses in social welfare policy, community organization, social justice, women’s issues, and domestic violence. She is still dedicated to social work education and practice, and passes this dedication along to her students. Sharon and her husband Howell Ferguson established the M. Sharon Maxwell-Ferguson Undergraduate Scholar Award for undergraduate students to pursue career interests relating to ending family violence. They also established the Institute for Family Violence Studies in 1995 that continues to be a national model. Sharon served as the founding director of the Institute and has been recognized for her service to numerous other institutions, including the National Association of Social Workers. In 1996, She was bestowed the Florida Governor’s Peace at Home Award. Sharon was an early supporter of the arts in social work and continues to be a leader in advancing the social value of the arts.
Distinguished Alumni in Social Work Practice Award
Jeanene Janes a longtime state social worker based in Jacksonville, Florida started working for children and families in 1962. She earned her Master’s degree in social work from FSU in 1969. She has been vocal in expressing the new for social workers to have more training when working with children affected by family problems such as domestic violence, drug or alcohol abuse, or parents with inadequate parenting skills. Jeanene has held several leadership positions for NASW and otherorganizations and remains very passionate about improving and enhancing the training of social workers and elevating those specializing in child welfare to a higher professional status. She established what is now the Jeanene M. Janes Fellowship in Child Welfare, a position currently held by faculty member and Director of the BSW Program and Professional Development, Pam Graham.
Distinguished Alumni in Social Policy and Administration Award
Guy Spearman received his MSW in 1975 and is well-recognized lobbyist (president of Spearman Management and advocate for Florida State University). Throughout his career, he has made a difference in improving the lives of others. Guy and his wife Delores, also a two-time FSU graduate, have been amazing supporters of the College and FSU. Within the College of Social Work, they have established the Guy and Delores Spearman scholarship for exemplary social work students from Brevard County. They have been invaluable supported of the CSW Arts and Athletics community outreach program for at risk youth, and the FSU Healthy Relationships Toolkit for preventing dating and relationship violence. Guy, a proud veteran, has also been supportive of the initiative to support veterans at FSU. Some of Guy’s leadership positions with FSU include the Alumni Association, Boosters, and the Foundation as well as the College’s own Leadership Council.
The College also recognized the forty-one deserving students that received College of Social Work scholarships for the 2013-2014 year, many established the College’s first crop of distinguished alumni.