Student Awards

The School of Social Work Committee on Students (COS) is charged with administrative responsibility for overseeing awards made to students and conferred by the school.

This award is presented to a graduating MSW student who has demonstrated a) academic persistence and determination, b) the ability to overcome a personal difficulty or challenge, and c) intends to pursue a career in the health and/or mental health and disabilities field. This award was established by the Braselton family to honor the memory of their son Kristopher L. Braselton. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

This award is presented to an MSW student within the foundation curriculum who has demonstrated a) financial need, b) outstanding grade point average, c) strong field performance, and d) shows potential for professional achievement. This scholarship is named after the first Dean of the School of Social Work. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

This award is presented to a graduating MSW student who a) has demonstrated academic excellence, with a preference given to students committing to the field of health. This award was established in 1988 by Emil. J. Cielen. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

This award is presented to a graduating MSW student who has demonstrated a) concern for human dignity and b) continued efforts towards cultural competency in field placement. This award is sponsored by the Haseltine T. Clements Society. Nominations can only be made by faculty, field educators, and field liaisons.

This award is presented to a School of Social Work student volunteer involved in the DREAM (Developing Relationships through Empowerment, Advocacy & Motivation) Program. The award recognizes a student who has demonstrated a commitment to volunteer in the community, has exhibited an ability to work as a member of a team, has an interest and aptitude for community action, has concern for human dignity, and has demonstrated respect for the dignity of all. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

This award is presented to a MSW student who: a) intends to pursue a career in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD); b) has a demonstrated record of academic excellence; and c) is currently completing a field placement and/or community service supporting people with IDD and/or their caregivers. This award was established by Dr. Jacqueline McGinley, in honor of those she supported in practice and Dr. Thomas Nochajski in honor of his wife the late Dr. Susan Nochajski, a clinical associate professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science and director of the Occupational Therapy Program. Susan dedicated her life to working primarily with persons with developmental disabilities. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

This award is presented to a second year MSW student who a) has an invested interest in mental health - specifically community mental health, b) demonstrates a commitment to volunteerism, and c) embodies the qualities that Ms. Epstein exemplifies - empathy, an ability to instill hope in others, sincerity, and professionalism. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and students.

** In conjunction with this nomination, nominated students must submit an essay describing how they envision their future involvement within the field of social work. Please communicate this requirement with your nominee.

This award is presented to an MSW student who embodies the qualities the late Terese Eusanio exemplified. The student must demonstrate interest in the areas of women's health and community-building and possess a feminist world view. The student must also a) maintain high academic standards and b) social work ethics, c) demonstrate respect for the dignity of all and d) an ability to work as a member of a team, e) possess an interest and aptitude for community action, and f) work towards social and political change. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

The Jesse Grossman Family Award is presented to an MSW student who excels academically and/or in field, identifies as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and seeks to support this population in their social work career. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

The Jody Latvis Award in Social Work is presented to an MSW student who excels academically and has financial need. Preference for this award will be given to female students and students who are parents. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

This award** is presented to a graduating MSW student who demonstrates a) exemplary character, b) gives back to the community, c) is recognized for their sense of humor, strength, compassion and honesty, and d) models the values of the social work profession. This award was established to honor Andrew J. Laughlin, and outstanding young man who made significant contributions in the community through his volunteer work and a model of the values of the social work profession. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

** In conjunction with this nomination, nominated students must submit an essay describing how they exemplify the character traits of Andrew. Please communicate this requirement with your nominee.

This award is presented to an MSW student who demonstrates a) academic progress, and b) transformation into a positive role model. This award was established by faculty, alumni, and community leaders in honor of Bertha S. Laury, Emeritus Associate Dean for Community Affairs. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

This award is presented to acknowledge and support an MSW student who adds to the diversity of the profession and embodies the qualities and promise of the late Angel McKnight-Miller, who died suddenly in 2017 while in her foundation year at the UBSSW. The award is presented to a student who a) demonstrates a strong commitment to issues of social justice and the need to structure social institutions to promote human rights and opportunities for meaningful social participation, b) takes action to support the strengthening of actions, policies, practices, and attitudes that promote equitable power, opportunities, access, and outcomes for all people, and c) possesses the qualities of hope, courage, and strength, and who takes action to create a path to social change. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

The Western Division of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) established this award to be given to a Masters level student who has demonstrated academic excellence and personifies the values of the Social Work profession as defined by the NASW Professional Code of Ethics. This award is given by the nominated student's school in recognition of the affiliation with NASW, Western Division. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

This award is presented to a School of Social Work student who has demonstrated a) a commitment to social work practice with older adults living with dementia b) academic excellence, c) leadership, and d) field placement and/or community service. This award was established by Mary Kaplan, in honor of her mother. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and students.

This award is presented to a foundation year MSW student who has completed the foundation curriculum and who demonstrates practice skills, relationship building with clients, and a commitment to the social work profession in the field education experience. This award was established by the School of Social Work Alumni Association. Nominations can only be made by faculty, field supervisors, and field liaisons.

This award is presented to a graduating MSW student who has demonstrated an extraordinary contribution to addictions practice, addicted trauma survivors, and/or people with coexisting psychiatric disorders. This award was established in memory of Julian Sojda, by his family, friends and colleagues.  Julian was a 1994 MSW graduate of the UB School of Social Work and an adjunct faculty member. He was also in private practice in the Western New York community. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, field liaisons, and fellow students.

This award is presented to a graduating MSW student who has demonstrated a) academic excellence, b) leadership abilities within the school, community, or university, and c) a commitment to the social work profession through his/her role as a student, colleague or member of a community. Nominations can only be made by faculty.

This award is presented to a graduating MSW student who successfully completed the Hartford Partnership Program for Aging Education (HPPAE) and who has demonstrated a) academic excellence, b) a commitment to social work practice with older adults, c) leadership, and d) community service. This award was established by the UB Emeritus Center in honor of Rose Weinstein’s legacy. Nominations can only be made by faculty, field educators, and field liaisons.

This award is presented to an outstanding MSW Student who has demonstrated passion and commitment to social work practice with older adults and who embodies the qualities of the late Deborah Zimmerman. Deborah was a graduate of the UB School of Social Work (UBSSW) in 1989 and a social worker for the Amherst Senior Center for over 10 years; in addition, she was a field educator and worked individually with nearly 30 MSW interns. This award will honor her memory as an outstanding teacher and social worker who made significant contributions in the community through her work with the elderly. Nominations can be made by faculty, field educators, and fellow students.