2015 Spring Convocation celebrates the newest crop of social workers

The FSU College of Social Work held its annual Spring Convocation on May 1, 2015 for its Class of 2015 graduates at the Oglesby Union Ballroom on the FSU main campus. A record number of people, more than 700, were in attendance to celebrate the newest group of BSW, MSW and Ph.D. social work graduates. Dean Nick Mazza presided as Master of Ceremonies for his last convocation, before retiring in the fall. Convocation’s Keynote Speaker was alumna, Dr. Diana DiNitto, the Cullen Trust Centennial Professor in Alcohol Studies and Education and Distinguished Teaching Professor from the University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work.

The student speaker, BSW graduate Lindsay Greene, represented the highest achievements and dedication to outreach. Lindsay not only received the Social Work Undergraduate Research and Creativity Activity Award in 2014, but she completed a project in Peru on which she based her research for her honors thesis, “Expand Peru: Casa de Bebes: A Comprehensive Evaluation of a Childcare Program in Rural Peru.”

Several students, faculty and alumni were also recognized during the convocation ceremony. The award recipients included:

• BSW Student of the Year: Melanie Marques
• MSW Student of the Year: Michael Solomon
• Doctoral Student of the Year: Annelise Mennicke
• Diane F. Harrison Dissertation Award: Hyejin Kim
• Instructor of the Year: Danielle Groton
• Professor of the Year: Lisa Schelbe
• Institute for Family Violence Studies Director’s Award: Cristina Batista
• Field Educator of the Year: Robert Hurn

Professor Pam Graham announced the names of the graduating BSWs, then followed by Professor Craig Stanley announcement of the names of the graduating MSWs. Professor Karen Randolph concluded with announcing the three graduating doctoral students that were hooded by their faculty mentors. These graduates included:

(Left to right): Jill Gromer Thomas, Annelise Mennicke, Jane McPherson

• Jane McPherson (Major Professor: Dr. Neil Abell)
  Dissertation title: “Human Rights Practice in Social Work (HRPSW): A Rights-Based Framework and Two New Measures“
• Annelise Mennicke (Major Professor: Dr. Dina Wilke)
  Dissertation title: “Toward a New Understanding of Intimate Partner Violence: A Proposal Exploring Typology-, Gender-, and Racially-Inclusive Dynamics,”
• Jill Gromer Thomas (Major Professor: Dr. Tomi Gomory)
  Dissertation title: “Capacity to Consent to Sexual Activity Among Residents of Long-Term Mental Health Treatment Programs: Perspectives of Clients, Staff, and Administrators”

Congratulations to the BSW, MSW and Doctoral Students of the Class of 2015!

To view the Graduation Program click here.