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SOCIAL WORK EDUCATOR EARNS TOP ALUMNI AWARD

INDIANAPOLIS - An IU graduate who has developed and nurtured sociology and social work programs at seven universities across the United States will receive the social work alumni association's highest honor.

Will B. Scott, who earned three degrees from IU - a bachelor's in 1963, followed by a master's in 1964 and a doctorate in 1965 - is the IU School of Social Work Alumni Association's 2001 Outstanding Alumnus.

Scott, considered a pivotal figure in the development of social work education, is currently visiting professor at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, where he teaches human behavior and policy analysis in the social work master's degree program. He will receive the IU alumni award Nov. 1 during a reception at the National Association of Social Workers Indiana Conference meeting in Indianapolis.

"Will's long attachment to educational institutions and to the processes of taking social work departments from embryonic stages to full maturity is well known," wrote Scott's former student F. Yvonne McDonald in her nomination letter.

While a professor at North Carolina A&T University from 1967 and 1976, Scott obtained the initial accreditation for the school's bachelor of social work program from the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting organization. During his tenure at the Greensboro, N.C., university, more than 500 students graduated with degrees in sociology or social work, and 300 of his students hold master and doctoral degrees, including McDonald.

"(Scott's) professional career has been dedicated to advancing the professionalism of others through field instruction, teaching, service to community agencies, presentations at conferences, professional publications, and program development," said McDonald, now adjunct professor at North Carolina A & T, located in Greensboro, N.C.

During his almost four decades as an educator and administrator, Scott, 76, also was instrumental in obtaining CSWE certification for the undergraduate program in social work at Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tenn., and CSWE accreditation of the bachelor's and/or master's of social work programs at Bennett College in Greensboro, N.C., Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, Ga., Grambling State University in Grambling, La., Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, and Stephen F. Austin.

Last year Scott was recipient of the CSWE's Lifetime Achievement Award.

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