Alumni & Friends

Arts and athletics: Winning combination for new College of Social Work camp

The Florida State University College of Social Work has concluded its first two-week summer camp for middle-school children that served as the pilot project for CSW Arts & Athletics, a new program focusing on positive youth development.

The program brought together 20 young people from June 18-29 for the opportunity to benefit from arts, athletics and college preparatory activities.

Sandra Thornton Baty: veteran, social worker, and inspiration

Classmates of retired Air Force veteran Sandra Thornton Baty may well have made an understatement when they said that she “has done it all in the mental health field.” Spending more than twenty years in the U.S. Air Force (USAF), Sandra has contributed to the mental health of countless veterans and their families.  To mention just a few of her many accomplishments in 18 years in mental health, Sandra has:

Spirit Paws, Ability United: An MSW student’s vision leads to youth connections in local schools

When I was at the Wakulla County School Board District Office for a district wellness meeting, one of the topics brought to the table was a new event, “Ability in the Park.”  The event was created to show the community that students with disabilities also had “abilities” and strengths that could be showcased or revealed in order to remove some of the stigma associated with those who have different methods of learning and different obstacles. I began thinking of the students within my own school who are disabled either physically, intellectually, or have communication difficulties

Building creative communities: Creative connections

On January 31st I turned twenty years old, and on that same day I left the comfort of Tallahassee for the experience of Colquitt, Georgia. Colquitt, Georgia, is a small town in the southwestern part of Georgia, and it has quite the story to tell. A lot of people assume that for a community to be lively and exciting it must be in a large city, or other urban area. Colquitt, Georgia disproves that assumption with simply its murals alone. This town was full of history, rich storytelling potential to tap into, and the passion necessary to form a healthy, creative community.

On your mark! Social Work Scurry highlights community outreach

Rain or shine the College of Social Work was going to hold its first ever 5k run/walk and barbeque, Sunday, April 14, 2013. The race started and finished in front of the “Unconquered” statue at Doak Campbell Stadium proceeding 3.1 miles around the FSU campus, highlighting many of the most notable landmarks on campus. Despite the overcast skies and wet weather, a majority of the 110 runners and walkers registered for the race were at the starting line wearing the bright coral race tanks.

The Great Give helps make great strides toward violence prevention

The College of Social Work and other colleges and organizations across FSU’s campus participated in the Great Give, a 36-hour online giving campaign, April 18-19, 2013. The campaign allowed each group to raise money and support unique projects throughout the University.

The College raised funds to develop the FSU Healthy Relationships Online Toolkit, which focuses on violence prevention education and set its fundraising target at $20,000. During the 36-hour campaign the College received 77 gifts and made 16% of the funds needed to complete the launch of the site. 

Doctoral student highlight: Jane McPherson

Doctoral candidate Jane McPherson’s research examines the area where social work and human rights intersect. Upon entering the doctoral program at the FSU College of Social Work, she was awarded FSU’s Presidential Scholarship, providing her four years of support from the University.  In 2013, the Graduate School honored her with the Graduate Research & Creativity Award and the Graduate Leadership Award.