Faculty Member Pam Graham MacDill Retires

Margaret Atwood wrote in The Penelopiad, “Water does not resist. Water flows. When you plunge your hand into it, all you feel is a caress. Water is not a solid wall; it will not stop you. But water always goes where it wants to go, and nothing, in the end, can stand against it. Water is patient. Dripping water wears away a stone. Remember that, my child. Remember, you are half water. If you can't go through an obstacle, go around it. Water does.” Therefore, it is appropriate that Pamela W. (Graham) MacDill's professional career will not end like the turning off a spigot – but rather flow into another channel with all of the gentle force it has summoned in the past.

During her 25-year affiliation with the FSU College of Social Work, Pam MacDill has worn many hats and served thousands of students, many of whom have also chosen to mentor and teach as she has. In addition to working as a teaching professor, Pam has served as the director of field instruction, assistant dean and director of the MSW Program, and the director of the BSW and Professional Development Programs. She worked to elevate the BSW Program by having it designated as a limited access program in 2012, establishing GPA and admission criteria.  That initiative led to a BSW program with approximately 180 students, with an average GPA of 3.56, and 43 percent are First-Generation students.

She also developed a Minor in Social Welfare (2014) to attract majors. She created and was chair of the Child Welfare Practice and Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development (LEAD) Certificates. Perhaps her proudest achievement was her role in the development of the FSU Unconquered Scholars Program in 2012, which serves at-risk students who come from homelessness, foster care, kinship care, or wards of the state backgrounds.

Pam MacDill’s career path in social work began in Miami during the late 1970s with United Family and Children’s Service, Youth Outreach Unlimited, working in Dade County schools. South Florida proved to be fertile ground for her career. She continued as a pediatric nephrology social worker, adjunct assistant professor at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and supervisor of Maternal/Child/Surgical/Renal and Transplantations Services at Jackson Memorial Hospital. In 1993 Pam received the prestigious “Unsung Hero” Award from the National Youth Law Center for her work as a pediatric social worker advocating on behalf of drug-exposed infants.

After swapping Miami's sunny beaches for Colorado's mountains, Pam worked as a medical social worker, and at Cedar Springs Hospital as a psychiatric social worker with adolescents in residential care. In her spare time, she opened up a private practice office. Having mentored numerous students in field placements from multiple social work programs, Pam brought her passion for field education to FSU’s then-School of Social Work to take on the position of director of field instruction.

From that starting point in 1995, she has never looked back.  In 2003 she received the University Advising Award and had been nominated multiple years for University Undergraduate and Graduate Teaching Awards. In 2013 she was named NASW Big Bend Chapter’s Educator of the Year. And in 2017, received the “Partners with a Purpose” Award from the FSU Division of Student Affairs for her work developing CARE’s Unconquered Scholars Program.

Pam’s good deeds were only exceeded by her incredible organizational skills and the ability to turn her enthusiasm into funding. Ms. MacDill brought in over $6.5 million in funded state and federal grants. She was designated as the first recipient of the Jeanene M. Janes Fellowship in Child Welfare in 2011.

Pam’s service to the community and state has been extensive.  It included being a member of the Child Abuse Death Review Committee, appointed by the State of Florida Surgeon General, from 2008 to 2014, and a Founding Board Member, President, and member of the Board of Directors of the Oasis Center for Women & Girls.

When you ask Pam what kept her excited and motivated throughout her career at FSU, it isn't accolades or even the many achievements; it’s the students, “the kids.” Her highly interactive style of classroom engagement pushes students to think critically, yet with emotion. She challenges their assumptions while inspiring their personal growth as members of society. She shares her health care, mental health, and child welfare career moments with them, thereby enriching their own classroom experiences and demonstrating the depth and breadth of what the social work profession offers. She does this in a manner that is both rigorous and filled with her well-known wit and humor.  Two of her favorite quotes are:

• “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Meade, and
•  “To the world, you may be one person; but to one person you may be the world.” ~ Dr. Seuss.”

“I want my students to become skilled observers, to ask intelligent questions, and to develop creative ways to address the challenges they face. I believe that this engagement in learning will serve them well as they proceed in their roles as professional social workers,” stated Pam.  “Our field is full of complex questions as we work with people from all walks of life, so preparing my students to be life-long explorers of information is a tool I believe will serve them well as they leave our program and venture into their professional roles.”

Now is time for the FSU College of Social Work to bid farewell to Pam as she excitedly plans her new direction. Rest assured, however, that she will continue to have positive effects on the people, community, and happenings around her. That’s what water does. It flows. And nothing can stand against it.

Due to COVID-19, we are unable to celebrate Pam’s retirement in person, but she asks that you honor her work by donating to her scholarship via the FSU Foundation:

Donate Online:
give.fsu.edu/macdillscholarship

Donate By Mail:
The memo line should include MacDill Fund (F08977S) and sent to:
FSU Foundation
325 W College Ave
Tallahassee, FL 32308