Looking back: ECU School of Social Work at 50
The School of Social Work at East Carolina University celebrated 50 years of social work education with alumni and friends on Nov. 8.
Dr. John Ball, founding chair of what was then the social work and criminal justice services department, recalled joining ECU in 1968: “I was the first hire, really, of the School of Allied Health and Social Professions, which is where we started. Chancellor Jenkins told the dean, Dr. Edwin Monroe, and I to walk around campus and scout out some office space. That was the beginning. We’ve made a lot of progress since then.”
Rising Star Alumni Award recipient Lori Leggett stands with Sheila Bunch, director of the School of Social Work, and John Tote, chair of the school’s advisory board. (Photo by George Crocker)
Dr. Sheila Bunch, director of the school, has experienced much of that progress as a student in the early days of the program and as a faculty member. “I earned my bachelor’s degree in social work at ECU in 1976 and came back to join the faculty in 1986,” she said.
“There’s been a lot of change over the years, as society and needs have evolved. We shifted the focus of our programs about 10 years ago to prepare our students to work in any setting, whether it’s a clinical setting or a community organization, with an emphasis on establishing relationships. Trauma-focused treatment courses are now required. We’ve added certificates at the graduate level in gerontology and substance abuse, which are so relevant to the meeting the needs of our aging population and the opioid crisis. And we’ve expanded opportunities for people to earn their social work degrees while also working,” Bunch explained.
One of the changes that’s had an impact was the addition of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program, which graduated its first class in 1986.
The 2019 Distinguished Faculty Legacy Award recipient, Dr. Reggie York, said the MSW program was part of what drew him to ECU. “It was new then. I liked the idea of starting in a new program, being part of developing it, reaching out to people to grow it. It’s not often you have that kind of opportunity.” York spent two decades teaching at ECU and also served as chair of the department during his tenure.
And today? “Our faculty are conducting groundbreaking research on everything from families dealing with dyslexia to working with the LGTBQ community to supporting permanency in foster placements. It’s work that has an impact on our community and beyond,” Bunch said.
“And I’m so proud of the teaching that happens here—seeing our students build skills and relationships in classes and fieldwork. It’s exciting to see students transform, to see them grow and learn and gain insight. We get to help them figure out how they want to change the world and then craft their skills to do it.”
More than 4,000 school alumni are a source of pride for Bunch, York and Ball.
“Our graduates have transformed professional social work in eastern North Carolina and beyond,” said Bunch. “So many of them stay in the region to serve our communities and are leaders and innovators. It’s my privilege to be part of that.”
York concurred. “I run into former students in professional settings all over the state. That’s a wonderful experience.”
“In the world today, there are so many doors people need to get through to maintain their well-being. Social workers help you open them and get the resources you need,” said Ball. “Imagine what one social worker does and then multiply that by 4,000 or so. Then you get a sense of what we’ve been able to do, the impact that our graduates have had. It’s a meaningful life, a calling.”
This year’s four alumni award recipients reflect that sense of purpose.
Dr. Kennette Thigpen, BSW ’03 MSW ’06, recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, said, “Social work means serving individuals, families and communities that need someone to step up and show up, to help them overcome barriers and enhance their well-being.
Rising Star award recipient Lori Leggett, BSW ’00 MSW ’18, said, “Being a social worker means that I am the voice for those who can’t speak for themselves. Social work is a part of me. It’s who I am, what I do, how I conduct myself and, most importantly, how I impact others.”
Stacy Connor, MSW ’15, who also received the Rising Star award, said, “I am helping my community in my own small way by being a part of my clients’ healing journeys. I work hard for residents of eastern North Carolina and I love doing it.”
Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Art Beeler ’75 said, “I’ve used my social work skills every day of my career—from brainstorming to motivational interviewing to cognitive behavioral therapy and beyond. And my greatest source of pride is the work I did with Dr. Ball to help establish the School of Social Work.”
-by Kelly Rusk, University Communications