The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Master of Social Work Alumni Network celebrated its 10th annual Pamela J. Cousins Excellence in Social Work award Friday, honoring clinical social worker and therapist Jennifer Moore of Kane.
Moore was nominated by her fellow alumna Cassie Kreckel of St. Marys for her endeavors in clinical social work practice, teaching, and mentoring. In her nomination, Kreckel said, “We all enter this field hoping to make a real difference in people's lives. Jennifer embodies that hope. She consistently strives to help her clients, her students, and her fellow social workers grow and become the best versions of themselves.”
In her acceptance remarks, Moore described feeling “deeply honored and incredibly grateful.” While reflecting on her time as a student, Moore recognized the support and camaraderie with her cohort colleagues and the members of the Pitt-Bradford MSW Program teaching faculty – a small community that both she and Kreckel have since joined. Moore also likened being a social worker as similar to being a hobbit, a reference to a specific kind of character in the beloved Tolkien Lord of the Rings trilogy, in addition to the single volume of The Hobbit. "Like hobbits, social workers are often working behind the scenes, saving the world one crisis at a time". Focusing the analogy further, Moore described how the actions of Samwise, a specific hobbit, are akin to social work, with our compassion, steadfastness, courage, and fierce advocacy; "and as social workers, we know, like Sam, that there is some good in this world and it's worth fighting for".
Moore also noted "But a hobbit can't complete a quest alone. Being a social worker from Pitt-Bradford means being a part of a larger fellowship, and ours in made up of some truly incredible people...I am and will forever be grateful for the fellowship of the Pitt-Bradford MSW Program."
Before the award reception, the Pitt-Bradford MSW Program, in co-sponsorship with the Trauma Informed Coalition of Cattaraugus County, N.Y., held a professional development workshop, “Historical Trauma and Cultural Resilience: Understanding the Intergenerational Impact of Indian Residential Boarding Schools.” This learning experience was facilitated by Pete Hill, citizen of the Cayuga Nation, Heron Clan, and special initiatives coordinator for the Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties, Inc.
During and after the workshop, Tyrone Bowen-Collateta, head coach of the Pitt-Bradford women’s lacrosse team, sold orange T-shirts as a fundraiser for the Orange Shirt Society and in recognition of Orange Shirt Day/Every Child Matters that centers intergenerational impacts of Indian residential schools.
Since 2002, the Pitt-Bradford MSW Program has provided interested individuals in the Twin Tiers region with the opportunity to complete their graduate social work degree in-person on a part-time structure.
In 2024, the Pitt-Bradford MSW Program welcomed its final cohort. The program will be discontinued upon their graduation in December 2027. Moving forward, those interested in completing their MSW may now secure their Pitt degree from anywhere, online. For information about the new online MSW Program at the Pitt School of Social Work, please go to https://www.socialwork.pitt.edu/admissions