CUSSW 2006 Commencement

“Social workers lead the way with courage and optimism, building bridges, breaking down barriers, bearing witness to injustice, working to eradicate it — whether the political winds are at their back or not. This is why I call it the purest form of public service.”

Karenna Gore-Schiff, 2006 Commencement Speaker

A Profile of the 2006 Graduating Class

On May 17, 449 members of the CUSSW graduating class of 2006 received degrees, 443 from the Master’s Program and 6 from the Doctoral Program. The largest proportion (35%) of 2006 Master’s Program graduates chose Health/Mental Health/Disabilities as their field of practice, followed by Family and Children’s Services (24%) and Contemporary Social Problems (16%).

CUSSW graduates are internationally diverse. 20% of our 2006 graduates come from countries other than the U.S., including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Trinidad and the United Kingdom. Eight graduating students were part of the CUSSW-Open Society Institute’s SOROS Fellowship Program.

The CUSSW Class of 2006 has a richness of ethnic diversity as well. Eight percent of the 2006 graduates are of Asian or Pacific ancestry, seven percent are of African-American descent and five percent are of Hispanic heritage.

Many 2006 CUSSW graduates have earned two degrees. 26 students are graduating with a Master of Science degree from the School of Social Work as well as an additional degree from: Columbia School of Public Health (7); Bank Street College of Education (5); Jewish Theological Seminary (3); Columbia School of International and Public Affairs (9); School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (1); and Union Theological Seminary (1).