(Courtesy of Touro College) Touro College Graduate School of Social Work honored the 120 members of the Class of 2018 last week with an awards celebration at the 92nd Street Y, bringing together the graduates, their families and friends with faculty and staff to recognize the students’ achievements. Emotions ran high as class members were congratulated individually and collectively for their leadership, tireless commitment and service to those in need, and academic accomplishments.
“Welcome to the profession!” said Founding Dean Steven Huberman, Ph.D. “Touro will always remain your academic home. We appreciate your hard work and achievements.”
The afternoon’s festivities began with a luncheon in honor of a cohort of 58 MSW students who have been able to pursue their MSWs because of a $2.5 million federal grant that is providing scholarships to economically disadvantaged students. The grant is funded by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Dean Huberman announced that the government would continue to fund the “Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students” next year, making it possible for current recipients to continue receiving aid and for new applicants to apply.
“These students have defied every odd. It’s a myth that if you come from difficult circumstances you cannot succeed,” he said, while proudly revealing that the Class of 2018 scholarship recipients are graduating with an average GPA of 3.7.
‘Change Agents to the Nth Degree’
Darla Spence Coffey, Ph.D., MSW, president and CEO of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national association of accredited social work programs and the sole accrediting agency for social work in the United States, addressed the small cohort: “The HRSA grant is not a gift. You have earned it. The world greatly needs you now more than ever. You are change agents to the nth degree.”
Two recipients, Christian Rodriguez, class of 2018, and Keren Blum, class of 2019, spoke movingly, expressing their gratitude for the support of Touro and its senior administration, the dean, and Dr. Coffey and CSWE for help in obtaining and sustaining the funding. They also thanked eight-term former U.S. Congressman Steven Rothman, who recently joined the GSSW’s professional advisory board. In brief remarks Congressman Rothman, a former mayor, judge and a lawyer, congratulated the students and urged them to always remain involved in their communities.
Said Rodriguez: “The HRSA grant appeared at just the right time and provided me with the hope I needed to keep moving forward.” Class valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA, Rodriguez was chosen by his classmates and the faculty to be the school’s student speaker. While earning his MSW, he was part of the school’s Military Social Work Education Fellowship program, which provided enrichment seminars that developed his clinical skills in helping veterans as well as a prestigious field placement at the Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at NYU Langone Health.
‘A Leader’s Leader’
Dr. Coffey was the keynote speaker at the annual Academic Recognition Program that followed, which attracted approximately 400 students, faculty, staff, family members and other well-wishers. Dean Huberman called Dr. Coffey a “leader’s leader” as he presented her with the school’s National Distinguished Social Work Leadership Award and a shofar as a symbol of self-awareness and social justice.
David Raab, executive vice president of the Touro College and University System, greeted the soon-to-be graduates on behalf of Touro President Alan Kadish, M.D. and Touro leadership. Raab quoted an adage from one of the books of the Talmud, “Ethics of the Fathers,” that is meaningful to social workers. “In a place where there is no person, you try to be a person…” He provided examples: an elderly parent without children available to help; a child unable to cope whose parents are at a loss what to do; or a community lacking in services and no one is doing anything about it. “This is the role in life you have selected … to step into situations where there is no one else capable or willing to step up,” he said. “In a place where there is no person, you have chosen to be the person. We at Touro salute you for your choice.”
Numerous awards were given out. Outstanding Community Service and Leadership Awards were given to Veronique Green and Anita Szalontai and Sheryl Frishman. David Greene and Benjamin Heisler received the Student Award from the National Association of Social Workers-New York City Chapter. Raquel Samet received the Dr. Bernard and Sarah Lander Distinguished Social Work
Tikun Olam Award. Tzipora Langner received the Ohel Leadership Award. Jhavon Kornegay received the Research Award. Deborah Marchuk, LCSW, class of 2012, received the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. Also receiving the Distinguished Alumni of the Year award but not present was president of the Alumni Association Bobby Staley, class of 2008.
Numerous students in the school’s fellowship programs were recognized: Farrah Denis, Veronique Green, Lindsay Ingenito and Edwin Taveras in the Aging Education Fellowship; Benjamin Heisler, Ludean Maitland, Christian Rodriguez and Lea Wersan in the Military Social Work Education Fellowship; and Christina Arnao, Ashley Cohen and Jhavon Kornegay in the Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health Fellowship. Fifteen students received recognition for Excellence in Field Education, and nine students were honored for Excellence in Field Education with Distinction.
