Friends and family members of School of Social Work students gathered in Harrison Auditorium at the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology on Monday to honor those who earned master's degrees and Ph.Ds in social work.
After opening remarks by School of Social Work Dean Richard Gelles, Board of Overseers Chair Andrew Heyer and Alumni Association member Philip Beltz, two student speakers -- selected by their peers -- addressed the audience.
Master's student Amy Lai discussed her experience as the daughter of two immigrants from Hong Kong. She argued that her own cultural differences helped her to understand and relate to others.
Lai then lauded the social work profession for its "vision to not only help people but to reach out to those who are lost and hurting, particularly those that society has given up on."
Fellow speaker Lauren Mazer spoke of her transformation from a pure intellectual philosophy major during her undergraduate years to a person of deeper human understanding during her years at the School of Social Work.
"I had become fluent in the language of intellectualism," Mazer said. "But I was a complete foreigner when it came to understanding the language of the heart."
Social activist Bernard LaFayette addressed the audience, describing the evolution of his work for social justice throughout his life.
Among his many accomplishments, LaFayette founded the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in 1960 and was a leader on the Freedom Rides in 1961. LaFayette was also a friend of fellow activist Martin Luther King, Jr.
LaFayette emphasized the importance of non-violent action and discussed the segregation which remains in education 50 years after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.
"If you don't stand up for yourself," LaFayette said, "you won't stand up for anybody else."
"Students -- stand up and change the world."
