Susan Marsha Law, BSW ’73, Maiden Name: Garey, was a student in the first BSW graduating class.  Is currently the Human Resource Development Specialist for Florida Diagnostic Learning Resources in Jacksonville, Florida.

Mary Racilia Smith, MSW ’73, is currently working as the Sr. Vice President of Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership, Inc., a statewide nonprofit fosued on children's substance abuse prevention, located in Miami, Fl.  She also has her own consulting business, The Strategic Advantage. She has two adult children, Ariana E. Boyle, who is working as a nurse in Orlando, and Alexander J. Capalbo, who is working in the security industry in Miami following a career in the US Navy. She is also an FAA Licensed Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor.

Brendan F. Buschi, MSW ’75 was presented with the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award by the School of Social Welfare during its annual Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon held on October 13, 2006.  His social work practice has taken him through-out the country.  He has served on a number of health boards including child placement and mental health.  He is best known for adhering to strong ethical practices in promoting change with entrenched organizational systems. 

Bart Davis, MSW ’76, www.bartdavis.com is a renowned author who has published 13 books throughout his career.  His latest is Closure: The Untold Story of the Ground Zero Recovery Mission a telling account of the recovery effort of 9/11.  For more information on this inspirational story please go to www.closure9-11.com

Vicki A. Lens, PhD, JD, MSW ’77, BSW ’75, was presented with the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award by the School of Social Welfare during its annual Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon held on October 13, 2006.  She is currently an assistant professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work, where she teaches policy and law and social work. Her current research interests include welfare reform and advocacy, community organizing and social change.  Prior to her current position, Dr. Lens worked as a public interest lawyer for fifteen years, combining her social work and legal skills. As a legal aid lawyer she provided legal services to the poor in the areas of public assistance, Social Security disability benefits, SSI, and Medicaid.

Samuel Kenneth Anderson, MSW ’78, Is a professional singer.  He is an expert on the late 1880's Paul Robeson The escaped slave and civil rights activist. Samuel was named Man of the Year by the Three Village Times, and has performed on campus several times in recent years.

Gary C. Matthews, MSW ’82, was presented with the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award by the School of Social Welfare during its annual Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon held on October 13, 2006.  Mr. Matthews has been the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Auxiliary & Facilities Management at the University of California, San Diego since February 2002.  Prior to accepting the position at UCSD Mr. Matthews was the Assistant Vice President for Administration at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.  He served Stony Brook in a variety of capacities for 26 years.  Mr. Matthews believes in mentoring and has formally mentored students at both UCSD and Stony Brook.  He has also taught various student leadership courses and provided employee classes and intern opportunities and Field Instruction for BSW and MSW degree candidates during his career and continues to be involved with student activities. 

Mary Ellen Johnston, MSW ’87, is a Psychotherapist in Private Practice in Smithtown, NY.  She is also the widow of Robert Nalepinski, class of '92.

Janice Lee Rohlf, MSW ’89, The Victims Information Bureau of Suffolk named Janice, Director of Governmental Relations at Stony Brook University, honoree of its June 7, 2006 dinner celebration. She was honored for her commitment to halting violence against women and children.

Bessie Ortega, MS ’04, MSW ’94, and BSW ’92, will be receiving the Social Worker of the Year Award.  She is also the Associate Director of Community Relations for Underserved Communities, Stony Brook University Medical Center

It is with regret that we inform you of our fellow School of Social Work Alumni who we have been informed over the past year have passed away.  They will be missed but their memories will live on.

Andrew (Drew) M. Mattison, MSW ’73 Ph.D., passed away in San Diego, CA., December 29th, 2005 after a valiant struggle with stomach cancer. Andrew was a medical psychologist and clinical professor in the UCSD department of psychiatry. Andrew and his partner of 34 years were founding members and active participants in many gay and lesbian organizations locally and nationally, and co-wrote the landmark 1983 book "The Male Couple." Andrew was the western regional, then national, president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Sex (SSSS).  Among other recognitions he received the 2002 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare.

Richard K. Farrell, MSW ’80 of Selden, NY.

Melva D. Crowell, MSW ’80 of New York, N.Y.

James D. Cornelius, MSW ’81 of Chesterfield, NY.

Marina Xanthos, MSW ’82 of Brookhaven, NY.

Robert Nalepinski, MSW ’92, of Port Jefferson Station, NY passed away September 2, 2001 after a long battle with end-stage fenal failure.