UK COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK MSW GRADUATES
UK CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN RURAL HEALTH RECOGNIZES UK COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK MSW GRADUATES
By Shane Allen
Hazard, Ky. (May 23, 2013) – The University of Kentucky (UK) Center of Excellence in Rural Health (CERH) recognized the 2013 graduates of UK’s Southeast Kentucky Masters of Social Work (SEKY MSW) program. Family members and friends gathered at the Knott County Central Auditorium in Hindman on May 3 to honor the 15 graduates during a commencement and community celebration.
Jordan Wildermuth, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers Kentucky Chapter, provided the commencement address and congratulated the graduates for their devotion to improve rural health.
Dr. James “Ike” Adams, dean of UK College of Social Work, presented the donning of MSW hoods to the graduates.
Dr. Fran Feltner, director of the UK CERH, delivered closing remarks and recognized the group for their dedication to their profession and to rural health. “I am especially pleased that the majority of our graduates over the years have chosen to work and live in rural areas. In our quest to alleviate rural health disparities, it is the interest and commitment from graduates like you that make a positive difference in our communities,” said Dr. Feltner.
Melissa Slone, faculty member of the College of Social Work, also stressed the need for social workers in this area of eastern Kentucky. “Social Workers bring both needed services and resources to this area that may not be provided otherwise,” she said. “Graduates from this program are very unique because they learn from one another to strengthen their own skill and knowledge in this profession,” Slone said.
The SEKY MSW program has graduated 165 students since its beginning. It is an off-campus extension of UK’s College of Social Work that places its main emphasis on working professionals. Students may take UK courses in Hazard at the UK CERH or in Prestonsburg at the Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Most of the courses offered are available during the evening hours.
For additional information about the program please visit www.kyruralhealth.org or call Melissa Slone or Dana Hays at 606-439-3557.
Photo: Fifteen students from Hazard and Prestonsburg campuses earned degrees this month from the University of Kentucky College of Social Work’s Southeast Kentucky Masters of Social Work program.