Letter from the Dean
Dear Alumni and Friends,
This year marks an extraordinary milestone for the University of Alabama School of Social Work —60 years since our establishment in 1965! For six decades, our School has been dedicated to preparing passionate and skilled professional social workers who are committed to advancing human rights, equity, and social justice. From our early days in the pre-renovated Little Hall to our current modernized space, we have transformed into a vibrant academic community—an epicenter of learning and leadership whose influence resonates across the state, nation, and globe.
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we reflect on the progress we’ve made and on the countless alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community partners who have helped shape this journey. Your dedication, service, and continued support have been essential to our success.
We are pleased to share that we will be hosting a series of special events to celebrate this momentous occasion. These events will bring together alumni and friends to celebrate the enduring legacy and impact of UA School of Social Work.
We hope you will make plans to join us here at the Capstone and be part of this unforgettable celebration.
Additional details will follow in the coming months. In the meantime, please save the dates—I look forward to commemorating 60 years of social work excellence with you this fall!
Roll Tide,
Dr. Schnavia Smith Hatcher
Dean and Professor
Donate to Our New Legacy Scholarship!
This year, we are gathering funds to endow a new student scholarship. The 1965 School of Social Work Legacy Scholarship will be used to assist students with expenses related to attending the University, including, but not limited to, tuition, books, miscellaneous supplies, room, and board.
Our goal is to raise $60,000 through donations and find a donor who will match our funds up to $60,000. If you are interested in being the matching donor, please contact Taylor Mooney, our Associate Director of Development.
If you would like to make a donation, please visit our UA Giving Page or go to bit.ly/SSW60th
Upcoming Events
October 16, 2025 – School of Social Work 60th Celebration – 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Attire: Business cocktail
Join us as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our school! This exciting event will include poster presentations highlighting our faculty and student’s research projects, a formal dinner, and a keynote address from Melissa Harris-Perry – Maya Angelou Presidential Chair at Wake Forest University, founding director of the Anna Julia Cooper Center, Host of NPR’s “The Takeaway”, and Author of “Sister Citizen: Shame, Stereotypes, and Black Women in America”
Purchase tickets and sponsorships by Friday, October 3.
October 17, 2025 – Social Work Hall of Fame – 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
We look forward to hosting the 30th annual Hall of Fame event this Fall. Since 1994 we have inducted 64 members. Join us as we add three additional guests of honor to the list.
Purchase sponsorships by Friday, October 3.
Purchase tickets by Tuesday, October 7.
October 18, 2025 – School of Social Work Tailgate – TBD
On Saturday, October 18, we will be cheering on the Crimson Tide as they take on the University of Tennessee. We look forward to seeing our alumni, board members, and friends of the school at our tailgate on the lawn outside of Little Hall.
RSVP by Thursday, October 9.
