Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame Class of 2011 Selected

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Four distinguished professionals in the field of social work were recently inducted into the state of Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame during a luncheon ceremony hosted by The University of Alabama Social Work Society.

The 2011 inductees, all retired, are Dr. Susan G. Barfoot, Central Alabama Veterans Healthcare System; Dr. Raymond O. Sumrall, professor emeritus in the UA School of Social Work and former director of the Youth Services Institute; James E. Ware, Dallas County Department of Human Resources, and Dr. Shelley Wyckoff, Alabama A&M University.

Barfoot has dedicated her life to serving individuals, groups, families and communities/organizations within Alabama. She was a pioneer in the promotion and development of social work practice in rural and medical settings and was active in the passage of the Alabama Social Work licensure law. She spent years serving veterans of Alabama, ensuring they and their families received the care and service they needed.

Sumrall devoted his 57-year career in social work to improving the lives of troubled juveniles. His insistence that children in the juvenile justice system be exposed to clinical treatment programs which foster self-esteem, healing and personal growth has changed the way in which juveniles are treated in state facilities in Alabama.

A life-long public servant, Ware served as a dedicated social worker for 39 years. During his nearly 25 years with DHR, Ware encouraged his staff to use innovation and to meet clients’ needs.  He stressed the importance of maintaining integrity and balances his impeccable professionalism with a caring and empathetic spirit.

As a social work educator, Wyckoff devoted her career to training the next generation of social workers, ensuring the future of the profession. She spent much of her time outside the classroom advocating for vulnerable and oppressed populations, serving them through her compassionate scholarship.