Dean Michael Patchner tells BSW students at honors ceremony to "pass it on."

As the School of Social paused Monday to celebrate the academic achievements of its Bachelor of Social Work students, Dean Michael Patchner urged the students to take the knowledge, values and skills they have learned and "pass it on"

"Many of you are graduating, some will continue their education, some will leave and take jobs," the dean said. "What you have learned here will lead you to things you have never dreamed about." The dean told the students that the skills and values they've learned at the school will help them help others.

The dean gave them a piece of advice to think about as they move out into the world. Society considers people successful if they've become famous, rich or powerful, but social workers look at success a little differently, Patchner said.

Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli (left) BSW student Heather Dobbs,  a William M. Plater Medallion winner, and Dean Michael Patchner

"We look at success as the quality of one's character and what a person does to help others through their journey of life," the dean said. "When we look back on our lives, we remember the people who made a difference in our lives." He recalled his own father, an immigrant from Croatia who came to America and worked in coal mines in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. "We grew up in Appalachian poverty," the dean told the students. His home had a leaky roof, and no hot water. But his father told to study hard and get a good education because some day he would go to college. When that time came, Patchner's father gave him his life savings of $50 to start to his college career.

"I want you to be that person who makes a difference in other person's lives," the dean said. He paused and then told a story to emphasize his point. It is about an old woman sitting in a rocking chair in a wood cabin with a dirt floor. She is asked what she would do if someone gave her $1 million. The woman rocks for a moment and says, "I'd pass it on to somebody who needs it."

"So pass it on, your education, your knowledge, your skills, your values. Be that person who touches the lives of others."  When they look back, you will be the one they say made a difference."

As an example, the dean told the story of his boyhood friend Tom. They grew up in a small Appalachian community. Patchner's mother died when he was 12 and Tom's father was killed in a coal mine explosion about the same time, leaving the two boys with a special bond. When Patchner went off to college, his friend entered the Air Force and when Patchner prepared to get his MSW degree, Tom started on his bachelor degree and then entered the MSW program. When the dean headed off to get his PhD, Tom stayed behind and developed the first social services department at a local hospital. He was always there for everybody from the doctors to the patients to the hospital staff, the dean noted. His friend made a difference in people's lives.

When his friend developed liver cancer and died, the dean returned for his funeral. As the dean arrived at the funeral home, he saw a line of people stretching out of the home and down the block who had come to pay their respects to Tom. Later, when the funeral procession passed by the hospital, doctors, staff and patients were waiting outside to say goodbye. "Tom made a difference in the lives of those people. He used his degree and changed the world, he changed people's lives."

Dr. Irene Queiro-Tajalli congratulated the students for their scholastic excellence, their dedication and commitment to the mission of social work. Excellence does not come easily, particularly as the students had to tend to various roles such as being parents, and working full or part-time while going to school, she noted.

She quoted a writer from Argentina who said "There are flames that once lighted, cannot be extinguished." Looking around the room at the students, Dr. Queiro-Tajalli said, "I am convinced you are one of those flames."

Students who received academic honors included Heather Dobbs, who was among the IUPUI students to receive the William M. Plater Medallion, which recognizes students have demonstrated "exemplary commitment to their communities during their years as an IUPUI student." The students receiving the medallion typically have "exhibited personal development, intellectual growth, and positive community impact as a result of their civic engagement experiences."

Also honored were Amanda Adams, BSW Honors with Distinction, Amy Shackelford, BSW Honors with Distinction, Emily Hickman, BSW Honors with High Distinction, Hanna Wannemuehler, BSW High Distinction, and Christal Esposito, BSW Highest Distinction. Esposito also was acknowledged for receiving the IUPUI Chancellor's and Margaret Gleason was recognized for being an IUPUI Top 100 student.

BSW Scholarship recipients included: Debra Austin, Crystal Barnett, Tracy Beer, Darlene Bumpus, Kierstin Imel, Star Harris, Taylor Hurst, Nichole Lee, Misti Leverton, Shay Mays, Jane Mokaya, Alida Marroni, Tammie Moore, Rebekah Niedner, Jessica Perkins, Kari Priser, Maria Rodnyansky and Katherine Schmidt.

BSW Child Welfare Scholars included: Sara Bales, Jamie Elliott, Hilary Johnson and Megan Gerhardt Lammert.

During the ceremony the following students were inducted into the Kappa Gamma Chapter of the Phi Alpha Honor Society: Timothy Alford, Alyson Boffo, Trudy Books, Amanda Degler, Rachel Dickerson, Jennifer Doxtater, Jenna Eisenberg, Kelly Garver, Margaret Gleason, Teri Guhl, Tracy Harvey, Kierstin Imel, Heather Jackson, Victoria Larsen, Misti Leverton, Nicole Lucas, Katherine Lykins, Ariel Mantoan, Ira K. Martin, Elizabeth McComb, Jenny McGann, Elizabeth Mullins, Jessica Nick, Amy Pawlus, Mona J. Rowland, Helen E. Sams, Irene Slivka, April Spradley, Heather Srnick, Chadrick Swickard.

Press Release Contact:
Rob Schneider
IUPUI
robschn@iupui.edu
(317) 278-0303