USM School of Social Work Brings Home 5 Conference Awards

For the second consecutive year, The University of Southern Mississippi School of Social Work has captured five top honors at the annual conference of the National Association of Social Workers-Mississippi chapter.

Outgoing director Tim Rehner received a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 25-plus years of service at the School of Social Work and the impact of multiple grant-funded community projects that helped improve the lives of residents from the Pine Belt to the Gulf Coast. Rehner will start a new position as dean and director of Ohio State University's Lima campus in April.

Delories Williams, a longtime social work instructor and undergraduate coordinator, won the Lifetime Achievement Award at last year's conference before retiring.

Also receiving awards this year were Brian Beck, undergraduate student of the year; Sidney Smith, top research poster for graduate students; Katelee Thomas and Grace Rutledge, top literature review for graduate students; and Shelby Harris, top undergraduate research poster.

Last year, Southern Miss students took home awards for graduate student of the year, undergraduate and graduate research posters, and graduate literature review.

This year's conference was held March 6-8 in Natchez.

Learn more about the USM School of Social Work.