School of Social Work

Overview

Since the School of Social Work was founded in 1938, it has trained students for careers in a multitude of services including child welfare, mental health, community development, substance abuse, work with the elderly, domestic violence, diagnosis and treatment of families and their children, issues related to incarceration, and faith-based initiatives. Whatever program students choose within the School, graduates are assured that they received the finest education available from the nation’s leading scholars, practitioners, and researchers.

Through the Building Our Future Together Campaign, the School of Social Work will raise money to directly impact the daily lives of its students. Perhaps the most important funds to be raised are for:

• Scholarships, which will allow the School to attract outstanding students and afford them a wonderful educational opportunity.

In addition, funds raised through the
Building Our Future Together Campaign will be used for:

• Professorships and chairs, which will allow the School to attract and retain outstanding educators and researchers as faculty.
• Fellowships, which will help to attract outstanding students pursuing graduate work.
• Research funding for faculty.
• Unrestricted operating funds to provide the School with support as it meets new challenges.

Donor Profile

James Gavin

James Gavin, the president of Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, has a Masters Degree in both social work and management science from Marywood University. With over 35 years experience in behavioral health care, Gavin views Raymond R. Webb Jr. as a true champion in public welfare and an extraordinary influence on himself and many others personally.

The two met about 20 years ago through the Pennsylvania Community Providers Association where Gavin served as a board member and later as president. Under the executive lead of Webb, many public welfare system professionals learned by his example that change requires a sustained application of commitment and knowledge driven by the passion for the work.

Upon Webb’s untimely passing on March 29, 2006, those closest to Webb decided that his is a life to be remembered and celebrated. As a result, the Raymond R. Webb Jr. Endowed Fund was developed through the collaboration of Mimi Priselac, Mel Haber, and Gavin. This scholarship fund benefits students with a financial need and an interest in public welfare and social work.

The driving force for Gavin to establish the Raymond R. Webb Jr. Endowed Fund is to finally give Webb the recognition he deserves. Through his efforts and selfless dedication, Ray Webb made Social Work Licensure possible for everyone who now  enjoys the associated advantages.  “Whenever you talked to him, it was never actually about him. He was always discussing social work or those involved with it. This scholarship is a chance for everyone to remember him and, through his name, have a continued impact on the field,” said Gavin. 

Not only was Webb a special mentor to Gavin, but also a best friend.  Gavin said, “Ray believed you had to be passionate about the work and if your not people notice. Those of us who have had the privilege of his influence are obligated to apply the passion, commitment and knowledge in a manner that fairly celebrates his memory.”

Contact Us

Liz Cooper

Director of Constituent Relations
Office: Park Plaza
Phone: 412-624-8239

Before joining the development staff for the School of Social Work, Liz Cooper began her career as the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Affairs at West Nottingham Academy, a college preparatory school in Northern Maryland with approximately 180 students. She then became Director of Parent Relations and Giving at Gilman School, a boys college preparatory school in Baltimore of approximately 900 students. She moved into the Campaign Operations Manager position in which she was responsible for the day-to-day management of Gilman’s $50 million capital campaign. In addition, for five years she served as Fundraising Class Chair for her high school.