“The heart of social work is caring for each other,” said Valerie Radu, social work department head, as she announced the Tommie F. Brown Community Service Award at a department luncheon.
The Tommie F. Brown Community Service Award will honor social work majors who have demonstrated commitment to serving the community, the University, the program, and the college.
Representative Tommie Brown, who established the social work program and taught at the University for almost three decades, was elected to the state legislature in 1992 and fully retired from UTC in 1998.
“With the state of the economy, there’s an even greater need for social workers. This is an ideal time to become a social worker,” said Dr. Brown.
Former social work students who attended the luncheon described Brown as responsive and accessible, and someone who always remembers her former students.
“It’s wonderful to accept accolades and awards, but you have to be honest, no one does anything by themselves. All of you in this room have touched my life,” said Brown.
Nominations for the Tommie F. Brown Community Service Award will be reviewed by a selection committee which is chaired by a department faculty member and comprised of two Bachelor of Social Work students, one alumnus, two members from the community, and all faculty in the social work program. Nominees should be juniors or seniors in the social work program and must be in good standing.
“Beginning in 2011, the award will be given to a social work student at the annual social work department dinner held in April of each academic year,” said Radu.
To learn more about the department and the award, visit http://www.utc.edu/Academic/SocialWork/.
