[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7914]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WAYNE STATE SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, it is with great honor that I 
recognize the 75th anniversary of the School of Social Work at Wayne 
State University. Since 1935, this fine institution has provided 
students in Michigan and across the Nation with the skills necessary to 
tackle some of the toughest challenges we face as a society. The theme 
of the anniversary celebration is ``Advancing Knowledge, Community 
Engagement, and Social Justice,'' and it aptly characterizes the 
school's mission and legacy. The achievements of its many distinguished 
graduates and the impressive research the school has produced over the 
years have served to inform and improve public policy on a number of 
social welfare issues.
  Located in the heart of metro Detroit, the School of Social Work's 
principal focus is on diverse urban populations. The school combines 
applied research with concrete field work to produce graduates who are 
highly skilled and ready to serve successfully in their chosen field. 
Under the leadership of Dr. Phyllis Ivory Vroom for nearly a decade, 
the School of Social Work is well positioned to address the 
increasingly complex problems on a city and state level and beyond.
  Housed within the School of Social Work is the Center for Social Work 
Practice and Policy Research. This center, established in 2008, seeks 
to facilitate rigorous debate and to expand our understanding of the 
issues affecting disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities. 
The list of research topics is extensive, from health and human rights 
issues in the Middle East, to women's reproductive health in Africa, to 
substance abuse treatment and prevention within our own communities, to 
name only a few.
  In recent years, the undergraduate degree program has gained 
prominence, ranking first in the nation among social work programs for 
the last four years by the Gourman Report. The graduate program also is 
highly regarded. The School of Social Work's graduation rate is among 
the highest in the university, which speaks to the commitment of the 
faculty and staff and the hard work and dedication of its student body.
  I know my Senate colleagues join me in recognizing past and present 
faculty, staff, and alumni of the Wayne State University School of 
Social Work. These individuals have contributed mightily to the 
tremendous success of the school over the past 75 years. I look forward 
to another 75 years of inspired leadership and continued educational 
excellence.

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