I. Overview of the Collection
Title: School of Social Work Records
Dates: 1964-
Location: 13 / 1-4
Extent: 4 boxes (2 linear ft.)
Language: English
II. Historical note
The first School of Social Service in South Florida was established at Barry College in the fall of 1965. Barry was the only institution willing to assume the responsibility for developing the graduate program. With the support of local agencies, Barry immediately began working toward implementation. In 1965, Dr. Henry McGinnis was appointed the first dean. Following extensive planning, faculty recruitment, feasibility studies, and fund raising, the Barry University School of Social Work admitted 33 graduate students in the fall, 1966 and awarded 23 Master of Social Work degrees in May, 1968. The MSW program was accredited by the Council of Social Work Education in June, 1969 and has been continuously accredited since. A PhD program was initiated in 1982 and the first doctorates were awarded in May, 1986. In 1972, Dr. John Riley became the second dean of the school. In 1984 the Barry University Board of Trustees named the school the Ellen Whiteside McDonnell School of Social Work to honor a benefactor for her significant contributions to social welfare programs in the state and to Barry University.
As the school has grown and matured, its contributions to the community have increased. It has become a major source of professional social workers for human service agencies, particularly in south Florida. In 1977, a study found that almost half of the professional social workers in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties were Barry graduates.
III. The Collection
The Collection includes administrative files, publicity, publications and materials related to events and academic programs from the School of Social Work.
IV. Container list:
Box Title
Administrative Files
1 General Information
Annual Reports 1975–81
History of School of Social Work 1964-90
Govt. Relations (Harvey Abrams) Correspondence 1980-81
Govt. Relations (Harvey Abrams) Roster – Dade County Legislative Delegation
Govt. Relations (Harvey Abrams) Survey Sheets
Abrams Harvey Contract; Miscellaneous
Govt. Relations (Harvey Abrams) Expenses
Dr. Jack Riley’s Letter to Legislature January 1981
Policy & Procedure Manual 1993
Policies & Procedures Manual
Self-Study Report, 1975
Summary Report, 1978
Self Study Report: vol. 1-3, 1994
2 Status Report in Barry Mark, Nov. 1980
Miscellaneous
Academic Files
2 Academic files, general
Applications
Curriculum Development, 1969-70
PhD Program 1981-1986
Academy for Better Communities
Events
3 Events, general, 1994-
Twenty-fifth Anniversary Celebration
Annual Alumni Conferences
Publicity
3 Brochure, 1995
Bulletins; Leaflets
Flyers, Brochures
Faculty, staff and student news
Newspaper clippings, 1994
Pictorial Booklets
Publications
3 Bulletins 1965–68; 1971–73; 1974-76
Social Work Compass, 2008-2010
4 South Florida Homelessness Studies of 1989
V. Administrative Information
Acquisition Information: Transfer, School of Social Work, 2001 Aug.
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research
Processed by: Sister Arnold Benedetto, 2009. Revised by Ximena Valdivia with the assistance of student Luis Khawly, 2012
Preferred Citation: School of Social Work Records, Barry University Archives and Special Collections, Miami Shores, Florida
