Dr. Carol Drolen, associate professor in the UA School of Social Work, will retire at the end of the Fall 2020 semester.
For over 30 years, Dr. Drolen has dedicated her life to the School and to the education of our students. Over her many years of service, she has been instrumental in the development of thousands of social workers across the state, the nation, and even the world. Her committed service to the School and the field will continue to be felt long past her retirement. From serving as MSW program chair here in the SSW, to assisting with the development of substance use and abuse curriculum for CSWE, the reach of Dr. Drolen’s impact has been broad.
Lindsey Gurley, LICSW, PIP
Dr. Drolen — I took your psychopathology course via Quest (back when that was a thing and the department would mail the videos!). That course was one of the most difficult of my MSW, but I learned a great deal and I’m so grateful for your commitment to academic rigor. Nearly 20 years later and I can still recall how to complete a mental status exam.
Valerie Trull
I know you best from being your student way back in interim 2014. You changed my entire outlook on addiction and substance abuse, and that has guided so much of my thinking in many areas since. I am forever grateful for you and your course and share things I learned there regularly. Thank you. It has been a pleasure to work around you for the past few years as well. Best wishes in your retirement.
Dr. Debra Nelson-Gardell
Dear Carol, We shared years together as colleagues, a passion for social work and its values, and we shared an interest in China. Although I’m not in this photo with you–I helped you get there, I thought you’d enjoy recalling this memory. Gratefully, Deb N-G
Dr. Denise Coleman
I truly enjoyed working with you while I was in the SSW and also the MSW program. Your class was one of the most challenging and one of my top favorites. May you enjoy your retirement, and ROLL TIDE!
Steve Flanagan
Dear, Carol: Congratulations on your retirement! I am doing the same and know a little about the transition. It has been a pleasure to work with you, especially during the “developmental” phase of the Skills Lab! Thank you for your encouragement and support and for being vital to Social Work practice.
Dr. Barry Ackerson
From my time at the old Bryce Hospital through my Ph.D. program at the School, Carol was a kind and thoughtful mentor. Our mutual interests in mental health and substance abuse brought us together, but I remember her even more for her concern for students. She gave me my first teaching experience, for which I am eternally thankful.
Casey Johnson LMSW, CDCS, AT
Dr. Drolen, I will never forget you as my professor and all the wisdom and knowledge you instilled in me. You helped me become a better clinician so that I could assist and advocate for my clients. Congratulations on retirement, and best wishes!
Ms. Shuryvonne Shambley Dixon
Congratulations Dr. Drolen on your retirement! It has been a pleasure getting to know you. Have a wonderfully blessed retirement. Enjoy.
Danielle Leahy
Dr. Drolen, I enjoyed my class with you this semester so very much. You have been such a great mentor, and I so greatly appreciate you helping me get accepted to the D.C. Fly-In! Couldn’t have done it without you. Congratulations, and enjoy retirement!
Donna Benjamin
Dr. Drolen, I am forever grateful for your wisdom and support while earning my MSW. I hope your days ahead bring much joy and satisfaction, knowing you have made a positive difference in countless lives. Roll Tide Forever!
Charles Griffin
Congratulations, and many years of well-deserved enjoyment in retirement. (From an alum from the class of 1991.) Take care of yourself!
Tammy Bradford
Dr. Drolen, I am so grateful to have met you and worked with you during my education at the University of Alabama…I am am especially thankful to call you my friend … I hope you take time now to enjoy the easy life!!!
David O’Haran MSW, Ph.D.,CSW
Congratulations! I’ll always be grateful for your support and guidance as the chair of my doctoral committee. Retirement is grand … I’m definitely loving every day of it and know you will too. Stay safe and well.
Mr. Griffin Chapple
You made a tremendous impact on me as a social worker, scholar, and mental health professional. I will forever be grateful to you for all that you did as my mentor and professor.
Ms. Pamella Moore
Class of ’92. I appreciate your belief in me and my abilities, and your ability to not only teach but touch your students. Thank you.
Holly Barnett
Your words of encouragement, empathy and care you have had for your students is what we all need. Thank you for inspiring me.
Tamera Stevens Pryor
Dr. Drolen, I wish u much happiness in your retirement! I must say, chemical dependency and psychopathology were two of my most influential courses in the MSW program — thanks to you — and I will forever be grateful. Best wishes on your future endeavors.
Ms. Carolyn Ezell, MSW, LCSW, PIP
Thank you. Years ago when I was your student, your classes were rigorous, challenging. We devoured the DSM studying for your exams, saw social work in action through classes at Bryce Hospital, and learned excellence and compassion through your example. Later, when I served as adjunct for years within the School, you guided not only the quality of the mental health curriculum, but also so much of MSW excellence. You were a true mentor and later, a friend. I hope I was able to pass on to others even a fraction of all I learned from you.
Cindy Roff
Congratulations, carol, on your well-deserved retirement! It was always a pleasure to work with you. I wish you much happiness in the coming years.
Dr. Tyrone Cheng
Dear Carol, it was great working with you in those years. Enjoy your retirement. Stay well and strong.
Carroll Phelps
Dear Carol: what a privilege it has been for me to know and work with you over the years. From your leadership as MSW Program Chair to the creation of the Skills Lab to your wisdom and clarity, I am thankful for the many talents you shared with our school. Wishing you the very best in retirement. — Carroll
Dana Dutton, LMSW
I wish you all the best in this next season of life! Psychopathology was one of my favorite courses in the MSW program because of your teaching style that made the material easier to understand. Thank you for your investment in the field of social work and congratulations on retirement!
Tony D. Walker
Life has been rich since I received the MSW in 1978. It is because of people like Dr. Drolen that graduates have been successful in their personal and professional lives. Her creative skills led students be compassionate and skillfull. I have been blessed by knowing Dr. Drolen and have witnessed her leadership in organizing and the awards she has received. Dr. Drolen will be missed but now she will have the time and opportunity to enjoy retirement.
Mrs. Sharrie Cranford
You taught my class in 1999 and twenty years later, I still love social work as you instilled so many years ago. Thank you.
Allison Curington
Carol, Congratulations on your retirement! Your support and encouragement throughout the years have been so important to me! Your questions and perspective “around the table” have been invaluable to the School and we will miss your wisdom! Hoping there is lots of Rest, Relaxation, and Play in the years to come!
Dr. Jo Pryce
Carol, thank you for all you have given us. You rock! Blessings on your new journey.
Shea Hutchins
Happy Retirement, Dr. Drolen! I obtained my MSW in 2000 through the advanced standing program. Your dedication to training and empowering social workers has a reach further than you will ever know. The UA School of Social Work prepared me for great success in my career beyond my wildest dreams. Today I am an executive with Mississippi’s largest, most comprehensive behavioral health organization for kids and families, Canopy Children’s Solutions. There is no doubt that my education with UA School of Social Work and your leadership has led to my success of empowering our staff who work with our most vulnerable children and families. Your reach has touched countless lives in Mississippi over my 20 year career since obtaining my MSW from UA. Happy retirement!
Stuart Jaffe
Carol, Congratulations and best wishes for this next chapter of your life. I much appreciate your valued policy insights shared many years ago. Best, Stu.
Barry Waltman, LICSW
Congratulations on your retirement. It’s been nice to have some contact over the years with professors that were instrumental in my social work education and development. I was honored that you asked me to come speak with your class last semester. I hope retirement brings you joy and new adventures.
Carrie Barnes
Congratulations on your retirement! I hope that you enjoy all the extra time you will have now.
Vicki Hobbs
Congratulations, Carol! I haven’t worked with you long, but I have enjoyed getting to know you and your love for students. You are a very kind person and I have seen first hand how committed you are not only in the classroom, but to the field of Social Work. I hope your retirement is filled with everything you hope it will be, and more!! Please come visit and let us know how you are doing. I wish you nothing but the very best. Take care.
Hope Holemon
Congratulations! I am happy for you and the next journey you will embark!
Barry Durand
It has been a pleasure working with you for nearly 10 years. You will be missed, my friend and my confidant. Wishing you best of the “beach life” and that praying that hurricanes stay away.
Daphne Cain
Congratulations on retirement! I hope you have a wonderful new adventure!! Be well and have fun. All the very best.
David Miller
Congratulations, Carol. Enjoy retirement!
Mrs. Laurie Wright
Carol, Congratulations on a well deserved retirement. You have certainly made a name for yourself here in the School and I know you will be missed by so many. I look forward to visiting you on the coast in the future and hearing all about your retirement lifestyle!
Angela Young-Hobbs
Dr. Drolen – Congratulations on your retirement. Best wishes on your journey. Enjoy!
Mrs. Avani Shah
It has been a great pleasure to work with you over the past years. You have been a role model on how to to remain steadfast in your commitment to social work education. You have been a great collaborator on numerous endeavors. You have been a wonderful mentor. You have been so much more to me. I hope you have a long and happy retirement … you have definitely earned it.
Dr. Hee Lee
Hi, Dr. Drolen, Thank you so much for your dedication and effort to social work education and research! Your work indeed helped the social work field tremendously. I sincerely hope that you enjoy your retirement with health and happiness!
Amy Traylor
Carol, it has been such a pleasure to learn from you as an MSW student and to work with you as a colleague in the School of Social Work! Thank you so much for your hard work and leadership. Hoping your retirement is filled with opportunities for exploring new passions and making great memories. Wishing you the very best of adventures!
Dr. Mandi Fowler
Congratulations on the next phase of your journey! Thank you for the wealth of experience you have shared with our students during your career.
David Albright
I am grateful for your willingness to share unplanned moments of your day with me when I would stick my head into your office, seeking someone to listen to me. I always felt heard. I hope retirement is what you need it to be!
Terrie Reid, SWS Board
Dr. Drolen, congratulations! Thank you for all your years of social work service and truly making a difference!! Enjoy your retirement!!
Kathleen Welker, Distance Learning Coordinator
I will miss our working together and working out! Have a wonderful new life and enjoy every minute!
Nicole Ruggiano
Cheers to a new chapter in your life! Best wishes for years filled with adventure and happiness.
Carrie Turner
Congratulations on your retirement! I have enjoyed working with you and learning from you throughout my time in the School. Enjoy your new adventures! Best wishes.
Mrs. Sharon Prestridge
You provided encouragement and opportunity to help our community thru sponsoring Phi Alpha. Thank you for the experience.
Mary Sella
Dear Carol, It seems like yesterday that you were my field liaison for my MSW field placement at the VA Hospital! Your instruction and mentorship prepared me well for my first social work job as a psychiatric social worker at Bryce Hospital. Your mentorship continued when I returned to the School of Social Work 31 years ago. Over the years you have become a cherished friend and colleague. In recent years, our paths have not crossed as frequently but the times that we have found to catch up have been bright spots. As the title of “Thing 1” passes from you to me, I wish you all the best in your retirement. You will be missed.
Lesley Reid
It has been such a pleasure getting to know you during my time in Social Work. I greatly admire your commitment to students, it is unparalleled. Without question you have touched many lives in Alabama and beyond through your education of a generation of social workers.
Ms. Sharonda Pettaway
Retirement is time to consider with pride the achievements you’ve worked for and earned, to realize all the ways you have grown and treasure the lessons learned. Retirement is a time to remember the good times you’ve had and to appreciate people you’ve known and feel certain those friendships will last. Retirement is time to be fully aware of the promise that life brings your way, to believe in your dreams, to follow your rainbow and to celebrate every new day. Do more than exist – LIVE. Thank you for the impact you had on my social work career.
Dr. Brenda Smith
Carol, Thank you for all you have given to the School! So many students have been inspired by you! I will miss sharing good memories of Chicago with you! All good wishes!
Dr. Lewis Lee
Carol, You were an example of hard work and optimism to me. Thank you for everything you’ve done for the school and committees. Now you’re freed from us and students. Happy retirement!!!
Mr. Coy Stout II
One of my favorite classes and one of the best professors I ever had. Wishing you all the best in retirement.
Thomas Savage
Congratulations, Dr. Drolen, on your retirement. I did not have you personally as a professor but had many interactions with you during my time at UA from 1994-96, especially with my involvement in the NASW.
Joanne Terrell
Carol: Congratulations on a long, impressive and successful career teaching in the School of Social Work!! Your contributions to so many facets of social work education have been invaluable. One of my favorite memories of working with you was when we presented on the newly developed Skills Lab at the Annual Conference of CSWE. That lab was our brainstorm. Do you remember brainstorming about its development at Red Lobster? You were chair of the MSW program and asked me how we could improve the MSW Program. You and I collaborated on it and it became a reality thru your leadership. Your vision of social work education has always been relevant and helpful to all of us! I hope you enjoy an enriching retirement and have many adventures with Jerry!!! — Joanne
Destiny Blanks, MSW student
Congratulations on your retirement, Dr. Drolen. I have truly enjoyed you for the last two semesters. Much Love! — Destiny