NASW Social Work Pioneer® David M. Austin Dies

1923-2008

Dr. David M. Austin, a pioneer in the field of social work education and a former faculty member at The University of Texas at Austin, died May 29 in Berea, Ky, following his battle with cancer. He was 84.

Austin was among the first social work students supported through the GI Bill following World War II. In 1963, he directed a planning team in Cleveland, which prepared the first comprehensive community-based action proposal funded under President Kennedy’s Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime. The program became known as Community Action for Youth.

In addition to the university, Austin taught social work at Western Reserve University, Smith College, Boston University, Brandeis University, the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Boston College, and Rockefeller College, State University of New York at Albany.

Austin joined the university’s School of Social Work in 1973 and held the Bert Kruger Smith Centennial Professorship. During his 24 years at the university, he served as acting dean of the School of Social Work (1991-93) and was director of the school’s Center for Social Work Research from 1974-79. He received numerous teaching awards including UT-Austin’s Lora Lee Pederson Teaching Excellence Award and University Outstanding Graduate Teach ing Award and was honored nationally for his research, particularly in the area of human service management. His scholarship, especially his 1988 book, “The Political Economy of Human Service Programs,” has provided the seminal statement on the distinguishing characteristics of human service organizations.

From 1988 to 1991, Austin served as chairman of the National Institute of Mental Health Task Force on Social Work Research, which produced an extensive report with far-reaching recommendations for changes in the organization of research within the profession of social work.

The report remains one of the most important and long-lasting projects in professional social work, according to Dr. Barbara W. White, dean of the university School of Social Work. It was this initiative, she said, that led the National Institute on Drug Abuse to establish the research grant program that has supported research activities of many faculty in social work programs around the country, among them UT-Austin.

“In his brilliant career, David has left a magnificent legacy in the students whom he mentored, taught and inspired,” said White. “He was a leading scholar in the field of social work and his profound contributions have been recognized through numerous awards.

“It was David’s work, in fact, that led to the strengthening of the doctoral program and research center at the university School of Social Work.”

The National Association of Social Workers named Austin a Social Work Pioneer® in 1997.

He is survived by his wife, Zuria Farmer Austin, and two sons, Clayton Austin and Paul Austin, a daughter, Dr. Judith Austin, and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service to be held on The University of Texas at Austin campus later this summer or early in the fall is being planned.

Click here to view David’s NASW Social Work Pioneer® Profile.

To leave a tribute to David, please click on the comments link below.

August 20, 1914 -May 5, 2008

Mr. Warren Clark Lamson, 93, of Solomons Island, MD died May 5, 2008 at his residence in Solomons, MD. He was born in Neligh, Nebraska, August 20, 1914 to the late John Wesley and Laura Alice Lamson. Mr. Lamson graduated from Wayne State College with a Bachelors Degree in Education in 1938, and from the University Of Nebraska Graduate School Of Social Work in 1942 with a Masters Degree in Social Work. He taught in the public schools of Nebraska for several years prior to attending graduate school.

Mr. Lamson was a World War II veteran and served from 1942-1946, in the Adjutant Generals Department of the Army as a First Lieutenant. He specialized in clinical psychology and psychiatric social work during this time. After discharge from the Army, he was employed as a Chief, Social Work Branch, Denver Regional Office of the Veterans Administration from 1946-1949. In 1949, he became a Mental Health Consultant in the United States Public Health Service Regional Office in Dallas, Texas. In 1950, he became the Chief Psychiatric Social Worker in the Community Services Branch of the National Institute of Mental Health, in Bethesda, MD. He served in several other administrative and consultative capacities in the Agency before retiring in 1974 as Chief of the Continuing Education Branch. After retirement he was employed as Chief Social Worker in the Maryland State Department of Mental Hygiene. He retired from this position in 1978.

Mr. Lamson was active at the national level in several social work organizations. He was charter member of the National Association of Social Workers and served on several commissions and committees of that organization and the Council on Social Work Education. He was a charter member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers and was a Licensed Certified Social Worker in Maryland. In 1974, he was honored by the University of Nebraska as an outstanding alumnus. In 1994, he was honored as a pioneer in social work by the National Association of Social Work. Mr. Lamson had numerous articles in mental health published in professional publications.

Mr. Lamson was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, and a member of DeWitt Lodge #111 AF&AM, DeWitt, Nebraska.

He is survived by his loving wife Julia L. “Judy” Lamson, three children, Gary W. and his wife Joan Lamson of Warren, NJ, Larry D. and his wife Francine Lamson of St. Leonard, MD and Gayle L. and her husband Richard Lloyd of St. Leonard, MD, and six grandchildren Brandon, Shawn, Justin, Jeffrey, Marshall and Kristin.

Click here for Memorial Service information

Click here for Warren Clark Lamson’s NASW Social Work Pioneer® Profile

To leave a tribute to Warren, please click on the comments link below.