Celebrating 10 Years!

An occasional newsletter from the Viterbo University
Undergraduate Social Work Program
WI N T E R
2 010
I SS U E
#7
From the Director:
SPECIAL
POINTS OF
INTEREST:
Celebrating 10 Years!
 Celebrating 10
Years of Social
Work Education
 Mission Statement
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Faculty
Scholarship
2
New Social
Work
Scholarship
2-3
10th Year
Anniversary
Celebration
3
Field Education 4
Update
Chicago Trip
4
Social Work
Recognized for
Excellence
5
Social Work
Club
5
Alumni
Updates
5-6
What’s new
web info
6
Deb Daehn-Zellmer, ACSW, CISW
“So what are you majoring
in?” While commonly asked
of college students, this question is sometimes awkward
for social work students because they may receive mixed
reactions to their chosen major. There are a lot of misconceptions in the general
public about social work.
Few people really understand
that social work is a profession that strives to empower
people to overcome challenges, achieve life-enhancing
goals and fight for social justice. Many do not understand the number of ways
that social workers intervene
on behalf of their clients or
the array of situations and
settings that social workers
work in. Very few people
know that we will need between 16-22% more social
workers by 2018 (http://
www.bls.gov/oco/
ocos060.htm#outlook).
a thriving social work program. We have graduated 114
social work majors and 19
more students will join their
ranks this spring. Currently
there are over 70 students
majoring in social work at
Viterbo.
We are very proud of the
accomplishments of our students and alumni. Our graduates have high pass rates on
the national certification exam, they are finding social
work employment even in
these tough economic times,
and over a third are admitted
to graduate school within 5
years of graduation.
This spring I know that I will
be amazed as I learn about
the experiences our students
are having in field education
and when I see the case studies and research projects that
they will present at our university wide Scholars Day. It
is a very exciting time to be
involved in social work education at Viterbo University.
What has occurred over the
past ten years is simply amazing to me! Most amazing
though is not the growth or
success of our program, but
knowing of the work that our
alumni are doing as social
workers. I know they are
making significant and someOur current students are do- times life changing or life saving amazing things! They are ing differences in the people
seeking out opportunities to they serve. We celebrate the
learn more about diversity,
work of these amazing social
actively involved with commu- workers and look forward to
nity service, and engaged in
the opportunity to be educatraising money and collecting
ing students to do this imfood for those in need. The
portant work for
In spring of 2001 Viterbo Uni- social work club is full of ide- many decades
to come.
versity graduated its first class as for projects they want to
undertake. Their energy and
of five social work majors.
Now ten years later, we have enthusiasm seems boundless!
Viterbo University Social Work Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Viterbo University Social Work Program is to prepare baccalaureate students for
entry level generalist social work practice. In an atmosphere of integrity and respect, students will
develop professional knowledge, values, and skills for service provision and social change. The program is guided by the Franciscan values of human dignity, social justice, strengths of diverse populations, and respect for disenfranchised members of our global society.
PAGE
2
Faculty Scholarship
“All that is
necessary for
the forces of
evil to
triumph is for
good people
to do
nothing.”
Edmund Burke & Martin Luther King, Jr.
In conjunction with celebrating the 10th anniversary of our social work
program we are pleased to announce the establishment of the St. Louise de Marillac Social
Work Scholarship. St. Louise is the Patron Saint of Christian Social Work and like many of us,
she felt called to put her faith into action by serving the poor and disadvantaged. Working
alongside Vincent de Paul, Louise co-founded the Daughters of Charity
and expanded that ministry to serve orphanages, institutions for the elderly and mentally ill and prisoners. Our plan is to raise sufficient funds
for an endowed scholarship in the amount of $1000 annually. The scholarship will be awarded to a senior social work major based on academic
merit with preference to individuals who represent minority groups or
who are disabled. Please consider making a onetime gift or a multiple
year pledge to help us launch this scholarship.
(See page three for information regarding donations to this scholarship.)
WINTER
2010
PAGE
New—The Saint Louise de Marillac Endowed Scholarship for Social Work
The Saint Louise de Marillac
Endowed Scholarship for Social
Work is now accepting contributions!
To contribute to the scholarship
please click on link to access the
online gift giving form http://
www.viterbo.edu/uploadedFiles/about/offices/
ia/pledge%20form(1).pdf
To make a donation online use the
secure form at www.viterbo.edu/
secure.aspx?ekfrm=49904
Please designate that your gift is for the
Social Work Scholarship.
Each year you will be
contacted during Viterbo’s
annual phone-a-thon.
Then print and mail along with
check to:
Thank you. Your generosity will
Viterbo University
Attn: Institutional Advancement ensure continued financial support
for future social work students.
900 Viterbo Dr
La Crosse, WI 54601
President Artman provided a welcoming speech
to the eighty one in attendance which included
faculty, friends, agency members, students
and alums.
The social work program recognized community social
workers Brian Theiler, Kathie Knoble-Iverson and Susan
Johnson for their dedication and support for the past ten
years.
Guest speakers:
Please check out photos on the web! http://www.viterbo.edu/sowk.aspx?id=52064
3
PAGE
4
Connie Fossen with
guest speaker,
Sr. Jean Moore, FSPA
The 2010-2011 Field Education
Program began the year with
the Instructor orientation and
training in September. This
year Sister Jean Moore, FSPA
joined Connie Fossen,
Field Director in a conversation about the
similarities between
Franciscan values and
Social Work values and
ethics. Field Instructors then discussed
student dilemmas in
field education and the valuebased guidance supervisors can
provide students.
In January 2011, 18 seniors will
begin their Field Education
placements in six new field
sites. Joining the Field Program this year are Big Brother
Big Sister, Scarseth House of
Franciscan Skemp, Lutheran
Social Services Conditional
Release Program, Scenic Bluffs
Community Health Center in
Cashton, Tri-County Memorial
Hospital and Nursing Home,
and YWCA Ruth House.
another class of 18-20 in
2012 and possibly 25 or
more in the next class. The
growing number of social
work majors has prompted a
discussion of the number of
students the Field Education
Program can serve in one
year. We are in the first
stage of discussion regarding
capping the number of students in field and offering a
summer or fall field experience in addition to spring
The major field activity in 2011 field placewill be the expansion of field
ments.
education sites. The Social
Work Program is anticipating
What a fine looking group! Senior
students absorb the educational
and cultural diversity opportunities available on the Chicago trip.
It is a way of making the
text and classroom experience come alive through
visiting neighborhoods,
agencies, and interacting
with
people from a variety of
cultural backgrounds.
This trip is usually an eyeopening and often lifechanging experience, enhancing
their career perspective and
future employment choices.
WINTER
2010
PAGE
Social Work Program
Recognized for Excellence
in Assessment
The Social Work program was one
of two recipients of the Viterbo
University Best Practices in Program
Assessment awards in May 2010.
The social work faculty work closely
together to strengthen their program through a cohesive assessment
plan. Their assessment framework is
aligned with the accreditation expectations of the Council on Social
Work Education. Social Work students have benefitted from curricular and pedagogical changes which
have resulted in evidence of improved learning. For example, measurements of critical thinking in social
work practice have shown improvement following curricular changes to
strengthen the development of critical thinking.
“Never doubt that a small
group of thoughtful committed
citizens can change the world.
Indeed it is the only thing that
ever has.”
Margaret Mead
Crosse as an adoption social worker.
She and Kurt welcomed their second
Melissa Christopherson is working
at Chippewa County as a human ser- daughter, Harper, on June 22, 2010.
vices lead worker. She celebrated the
Sarah Harrison is working for La
birth of a child October.
County. She earned her MSW from the
Rose Reinert is working as Chief University of Wisconsin-Madison in
Professonal Officer at Boys & Girls 2009.
Club of Elgin, Il.
Tanika Patrick is working in Coventry
England in child protection as a social
worker. She and her family moved to
Amanda (Wagner) Kozaczuk com- England in May. Tanika hopes that all
goes well and they expect to be in Engpleted her MSW in August 2009. She
accepted a new position as a pediatric land for at least three years.
social work case manager at Marshfield
Arlene Schwartz She and Loran purClinic.
chased a house on 3 acres in Cambridge,
Wis. They are situated in horse country
and are planning on building their own
Katie Kubistal is working and living corral for two horses! Arlene states, “Its
wonderful country and its great for a
in Minneapolis. She married Ezra
New York City goyl...and I love it!!!”
Thormodsgaard October 10, 2010.
Rhea (Boe) Newman is working at
Catholic Charities Diocese of La
Jocelyn Tranberg is working at Western Wisconsin Cares in La Crosse as a
social worker.
Mandy (Ramis) Kalisz took a new
position at Gerard Hall. She continues to facilitate groups for the Adult
Mental Health Day Treatment program as well. She is working on completing her clinical MSW hours and
hopes to eventually transition into a
clinical therapist role.
Katie Meyers started a new position in August with the NorwalkOntario-Wilton School District as a
school social worker.
Betsy Thesing accepted a new position with her current employer,
Lutheran Life Communities in Arlington Heights, Ill. She is now a social
worker/discharge planner.
Danielle Olson is working at the
VA Medical Center in Tomah. She is
engaged to Stephen Puccetti. Their
wedding plans are for July 28, 2011.
5
Jamie Nordin is working for Monroe
County Department of Human Services
Shannon Parker is working at Catho- as an initial assessment social worker. She
is living in rural La Farge. She and Lucas
lic Charities as an emergency services
social worker and is living in Sparta, Wis. are remodeling the home they purchased
in September 2009.
Ashley Myhre is working at Saint Jude
Hospice in Oakdale, Minn. She decided
to switch her career path slightly when
realizing her passion for educating
people on the benefits of hospice. On a
personal note she will soon be a new
aunt and continues to reside with her
boyfriend of five years.
Linnea Fiser is working at Western
Wisconsin Cares in Tomah as a social
worker.
Erin (Noll) Hilleshiem works for the
community support program of Monroe
County Department of Human Services
and loves her current full time position.
She is working on her MSW with a concentration in mental health. She will
graduate in December 2010 with her
MSW from the U of MN. Erin and Nick
reside in the home they purchased in
2009 in Bangor with their dog, Daisy.
Judy Krause. The first six months following graduation she worked for the
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin in
La Crosse. In January 2009 she began
her dream job at Monroe County working with children and families. Her husband is retired from a career as a Dairy
Product Analyst. Their three children
are grown and are grandparents to one
grandchild, Caleb. Judy’s two daughters
are both social workers. Annie also
works in Juvenile Justice at Monroe
County. Molly works with the elderly
and is lead social worker for an agency in
Madison.
Emily Hawk married Matt in June and
in July they moved to
Daytona Beach, Fla.
They traveled
throughout the country. She is celebrating
being a new aunt to
niece Caleya.
Shenoa Kerr is self-employed and
doing independent hairstyling. She resides in La Crosse.
Noelle Sander is working at Family
Works in Madison. She is living in
Middleton, Wis.
Rachel Leigh Thomas is currently
working as an IRIS consultant doing case
management for individuals with disabilities and the frail elderly. On June 18th,
2011 she and Joe Miller her fiancé are
Betsy (Jandt) Parr married Jeff Parr in
getting married and looking to purchase a August 2010. She is working at
house in the Green Bay or Appleton area. Coulee Cap, Inc. in Westby, Wis. as a
case manager. The position gives clients
Jessica Wallace previously worked at
BSJ Care Center, but recently decided to a “go to” person who can also provide
follow up support and guidance.
try something new and accepted a LTE
social work position at Monroe County
Danielle Qual is working at Family
Department of Human Services. She is
Services of Northeast Wisconsin. She is
enjoying seeing Judy K., Jamie N., and Erin
a crises counselor for Sheboygan CounH. each day at work. She hopes this opty. She started training with the compaportunity will open other doors. Jessica
ny on August 4th in Green Bay and
and her boyfriend continue to live in
LOVES it! She is enjoying working and
Onalaska with their two cats, Pig and
Peeper. Beginning this fall she will also be living in Sheboygan. Danielle has a new
family addition, Aspen, an English bullteaching dance classes again and is very
dog!
excited about it.
Lindsay Weber continues to work at
Morrow Memorial Home in Sparta and
enjoys the challenge of balancing personal
and professional boundaries stating,
“There is never a dull moment working in
a rural community!” She and Cory enjoy
living there.
Michelle Sivanich is excited to announce her new position at Western
Wisconsin Cares working as a social
worker.
Jamie Sontag is currently working at
Mulder Health Care Facility in West
Salem. She and fiancé Tom Dayton are
planning a January 2012 wedding.
Serena Burke is working as a social
worker at Golden Living in La Crescent.
Scott Grosskopf changed positions in
May moving into the On-Going Family
Services at La Crosse County. He celebrates one year of social work and will be
pursuing his MSW degree.
 Update Alumni Records — stay in touch!
 Field Agencies — linked
Viterbo University
 Photo Gallery — watch throughout
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-796-3097
Fax: 608-796-3050
Email: ddzellmer@viterbo.edu
the year for new photos
 Social Work—webpage