By Elena Rowe
Social Media Manager
I was able to journey into the past through the archives of the Hood College Library.
Various articles from the 1930’s-2000’s were pouring with interesting details about parties, events, new programs and sport games.
In the fall of 1982, Hood College introduced Social Work as a major, as a part of the new Student Social Work Organization on campus.
“The purpose of the SSWO is to inform students about the career opportunities in social work and related areas; to gather students and faculty to interact with other college social work organizations, community speakers and the National Association of Social Workers” (Westling ’86).
Guest speakers, Campus awareness activities, field trips, fundraising and tutoring were ways in which the organization got more awareness to the campus. By introducing this organization to the greater campus community, students were able to get a feel of the new Social Work major. “The social work major includes studies in four areas. These are social work methods, research, policy and human behavior analysis. The major also offers students a through education in the skills, values and knowledge required of the social work practitioner.” (Westling ’86)
What I found interesting was, based on students’ roles in this organization, they could determine if this major was right for them, based on what careers they could pursue after leaving college. There are many ways that social work can be rewarding (based on this article), conducting research on important human problems, helping elderly patients adjust to
terminal illness, organizing tenants in slum housing to improve living conditions, having the opportunity to work in schools, hospitals, family
service agencies etc.
If you are interested, the SSWO organization is still on campus today. Make sure to check it out and contact Leah Ransome ’19.
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