Prof recognized for welfare work

The Council on Social Work Education recognized Social Work Professor Richard Estes with the 1997 Distinguished Recent Contribution to Social Work Education Award. The council -- which consists of social work experts from around the nation -- recognized Estes in the areas of research, international social work education and international consultation. "This is a great honor for the University to have one of their faculty win this distinguished recognition," School of Social Work Dean Ira Schwartz said. "It shows the outstanding work being done here at Penn, particularly for Dr. Estes's research on international social welfare issues," Schwartz added. "He's the best in his field of international research." Estes's research has focused primarily on studying the changing capacity of countries to support their populations. In particular, he examines how governments meet the basic needs of their people, how they treat women and how they produce and supply food. Although Estes spends much of his time doing research, he is also active in the classroom. He currently teaches a graduate course on how different countries support their populations and an undergraduate course entitled "Dilemmas in International Development." To gain first-hand experience, Estes frequently travels the globe to assist governments in solving their problems. Over winter break, he traveled to Mongolia -- for the third time -- to help improve the country's universities and set up shelters with Save the Children. Over the last ten years, Estes has also helped build up China's private non-profit sector. While the sector barely existed when he started, China now has more than 1,000 such organizations. These include both operating foundations, which receive money to aid social causes, and fiduciary foundations that give money to the the operating foundations. Estes, who graduated from the School of Social Work in 1967, has garnered several awards in the course of his career and last year the University recognized him as a "Distinguished Alumnus." But despite his successful track record in international social work, Estes remains humble and down-to-earth. "I am not a great broadcaster of what I do around here but obviously people took note and it is wonderful," he said. His colleagues, however, are not reticent when it comes to praising Estes for his contributions to the field of social work. "He certainly is an esteemed colleague? who has earned the respect of his peers," Social Work Professor Louis Carter said. "Dr. Estes has contributed a great deal and his individual expertise carries over into the classroom," added Andrew Anderson, a lecturer in the School of Social Work. "He has accomplished so much as both a social worker and researcher." Estes said he plans to continue his fieldwork and has already scheduled several upcoming trips -- including travel to Mongolia, Jakarta, London and Dallas. But he added that his studies at the University have been equally rewarding. "I've had such wonderful experiences with students at Penn," Estes said. "Next year will be my 25th year here and it has been such fun." The council will present Estes with the award in March.