Tulane School of Social Work Presents Annual Commencement Awards

On Tuesday, Dec. 22, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts, Tulane School of Social Work held their Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2023. More than 50 students graduated with their doctorate degrees in social work. Another 150 students received master's degrees in social work, combined with graduate degrees in public health or disaster resilience leadership. At the annual ceremony, the following awards were given to faculty, staff and students.

2023 Student Award for Excellence in the Doctorate of Social Work Program - This award is presented to a doctoral student that has exemplified both outstanding scholarship as well as outstanding research and/or grant capabilities. This year’s recipients were Katie Diebold (Spring Semester), Lauren Barks (Summer Session), Andrea Henry, Eishelle Hargrave-Tillery, Lisa Wineburg (Fall Semester).

2023 Outstanding Doctorate of Social Work Faculty Award - This year’s recipients were Dr. Liza Lane and Dr. Alan Kirk.

2023 Outstanding Academic Achievement in the Master of Social Work Program - This award is given to a student who has excelled in the classroom while maintaining the highest degree of professionalism in pursuit of the Master of Social Work degree. Nominees are not only scholars but individuals who live by social work ideals. This year’s recipients were Suzanne Thompson (Spring Semester), Joshua Coates (Summer Session), and Marissa Myers (Fall Semester).

2023 Outstanding MSW Faculty Award - This year’s recipient was Dr. Reginald Parquet, PhD, LCSW

2023 Outstanding MSW Adjunct Faculty Award - This year’s recipient was Ked Dixon, LCSW, RPT

2023 Outstanding Disaster Resilience Leadership Faculty Award - This year’s recipient was Mark St. Antoine Rogers II.

2023 Student Award for Excellence in Disaster Resilience Leadership - This award is in recognition of a graduating student who has excelled scholastically and demonstrated significant leadership skills and initiative while completing the Master of Science program at the Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy. This year’s recipient was Monica Schneider.

2023 Leanne Joy Knot Award - This award is given to a TSSW student who exemplifies the determination, character, integrity, understanding, caring, adaptability and dedication of the late Leanne Joy Knot, a Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health dual degree student. In honor of her memory, the TSSW faculty selects a student each year who is not only an outstanding scholar but someone who embodies Leanne’s spirit. This year’s recipient was David Bernard.

2023 Outstanding Field Education Program Member Award - This year’s recipient was Dr. Heather Gillis, PhD, LCSW

2023 Outstanding Staff Member Award - This year’s recipient was Tona Zwanziger, MS, LCSW

Empowering Change, Equity Diversity and Inclusion Awards – These inaugural awards are given to those that exemplify creating, sustaining, and building equitable and inclusive communities.

2023 Community Catalyst Award – This year’s recipients were DeVaughn G. Glynn, and the 2022-2023 Student Government Association Executive Board.

2023 Student Experience Champion – This year’s recipient was Jimmy Cross, Dr. Deidre Hayes, and Dr. Valerie Gordon Garofalo.

2023 Empowering Change Maker Award – This year’s recipient was Dr. Reggie Parquet, and Amanda Rosales.