Dierdra Oretade, 2nd year Casework Student, was elected to serve as the 1st Vice President of the National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) Office of Student Affairs (OSA) for the term of 2010-2011. NABSW, created during the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement, is one of the nations foremost advocacy groups designed to promote the welfare, survival, and liberation of the Black Community.

With over 100 membership chapters and more than 30 university and college student chapters throughout the United States and the Caribbean, this organization advocates for social change and social justice at the national, state, and local level. As 1st Vice President, some of Ms. Oretade’s responsibilities include: coordinating all student activities and community service projects for all student chapters within the U.S. and the Caribbean for the national conference, student liaison between the student chapters and the National Board, and Chair of the OSA Conference Committee and Community Service Committee. This is a great accomplishment for Ms. Oretade, the Casework method, the school and the University.

The 60th Anniversary Fellowship Fund has reached its $25,000 goal.

In October 2009, the School of Social Work held an event to celebrate its 60th Anniversary. To mark the occasion, the planning committee established the Anniversary Fellowship Fund to support students enrolled in the SSW who demonstrate financial need and academic merit.

Through the generous contributions of alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends, along with proceeds from the event, the fund reached the endowment level of $25,000. In addition to meeting our goal, awards to students from this fund are eligible for a 100% match from the UConn President’s Challenge Award.

“I am thrilled at the success of this fund raising effort and grateful for the partnership between the School and the SSW Alumni Association”, says Salome Raheim, Dean of the School of Social Work. “Many thanks to all the members of the 60th Anniversary Planning Committee for your hard work and leadership”.

Co-Chair: Patricia Berky, MSW ’04, Co-President of the SSW Alumni Association
Co-Chair: Reesa Olins, MSW ’86, Director of Alumni Relations
Llonia Gordon, MSW ’07
Barbara Greten, MSW ’08
Catherine Havens, MSW, JD ’74, Director of the MSW Program
Abigail O’Brien, former Development Director
Beth Sharkey, MSW ’01, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
Louise Simmons, Ph.D., SSW Faculty member

The Connecticut Chapter of the International Coach Federation has named Millie Grenough 2010 Coach of the Year. This award is given to a member coach who has promoted or advanced the field of coaching to his/her community, city, state or country and to the world. It was presented to Grenough in appreciation of her outstanding enhancement and dedication to the art and professionalism of coaching. She is President of New Haven, CT-based Grenough LLC.

Millie Grenough is an Executive Coach, international keynote speaker and award-winning author known for her ability to inspire people to do what they thought was impossible. She is a Clinical Instructor in Social Work of Psychiatry at the Yale University School of Medicine, an EMDR-Level II Therapist, Certified by the International Coach Federation and is one of ten people worldwide named Master Synergist in the body/mind Rubenfeld Synergy Method. A former Catholic nun, she has worked as a community developer, waitress, ESOL (English to Speakers of Other Languages) teacher, nightclub singer, psychotherapist, clinical social worker and strategic planner. Grenough is the author of OASIS In the Overwhelm 28 Day Guide: Rewire Your Brain from Chaos to Calm. Grenough is particularly noted for her coaching and OASIS Trainings that reach four continents.

“I am delighted and humbled to receive the Coach of the Year award from the Connecticut Chapter of the International Coach Federation,” states Millie Grenough. “Even if your body feels creaky – your brain feels dusty — or your 5th-grade teacher told you to ‘just mouth the words,’ I will get you singing and swinging to be your happiest self. That’s what coaching means to me! I have a passion for stimulating people to reach their full potential while remaining sane and healthy.”

About ICF – Founded in 1995, the International Coach Federation (ICF) is the leading global organization dedicated to advancing the coaching profession by setting high standards, providing independent certification, and building a worldwide network of credentialed coaches. With more than 14,000 professional personal and business coaches representing over 90 countries, the ICF is the voice of the global coaching profession.

For more information about Millie Grenough, go to www.milliegrenough.com

Contact: Helen L. Koven
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203-322-3130
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