Social Work honors founding director during 20th anniversary celebrations

Students, faculty and alumni of Central Michigan University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program hosted a 20^th anniversary celebration of their accreditation by honoring founding director Suzanne Cross, PhD, MSW, and sharing stories about how the program has prepared them for the profession.

During the October 16^th celebration, faculty members highlighted the program's excellence, particularly its focus on justice and rural social work practice. Program Director Susan Grettenberger pointed to the recent completion of a new initiative to train social workers as child welfare workers under the pilot Title IV-E program. Faculty member Lissa Schwander looked to the program's future with hopes of implementing a social work graduate degree.

Several BSW alumni spoke, including current faculty member Val Austin, ’06. Claire (Blouin) Crowe, ’08, James Rawson, ‘23, MoniQue Miller, ’24, and Lauryn Kelly, ‘23, offered thoughts on how the program had prepared them for the profession. Finally, Student Social Work Association president, Sara Dalman, spoke highly of the BSW program and the many involvements and opportunities she has had while at CMU.

The Council on Social Work Education first granted accreditation to CMU’s BSW program in February of 2004. The 20^th anniversary celebration also follows another successful accreditation reaffirmation in 2024.

Follow this link to view the event photo gallery.