CL A S S NOT ES
ClassNotes Class Notes 1970s
1980s
MICHAELIN REAMY WATTS MSW ’79, accepted the 2019 Library of Congress Best Practices Literacy Award in November of that year on behalf of Bring Me A Book Franklin. Watts is president of the Apalachicola, Florida nonprofit. The award honors organizations doing exemplary, innovative and replicable work to increase literacy. “Bring Me A Book Franklin…wants to express its gratitude to Program Coordinator Karen Kessel and the many dedicated local and snowbird volunteers who dedicate their time, energy, skills and caring to the children of Franklin County,” said Watts in accepting the award.
VICTOR K. WILSON BSW ’82, vice president for Student Affairs at UGA, delivered the rescheduled Spring 2020 undergraduate Commencement keynote address Oct. 16 in Sanford Stadium. In his address, Wilson challenged graduates to find what brings them joy in personal and professional life. “You will never know where you may find your bliss, but you must never stop seeking it,” he told the audience. “Keep your head and your heart open.” In an interview with Macon, Georgia news agency WMAZ about the rise of child abuse during the pandemic, ANGELA SOLOMON MSW ’89, noted how Bibb County social workers were responding in a virtual setting. “We have educated [staff ] on suicidal issues, mental health issues, bullying issues, child abuse issues, and we’ve asked them to look at the clues such as if a student is not logging on, why isn’t that student logging on?” said Solomon, school social work coordinator for the district. “If the student is not engaged, why isn’t the student not engaged?”
1990s
From left, Karen Kessel, program coordinator and Michaelin Reamy Watts, president, of Bring Me A Book Franklin, at the awards ceremony in Washington DC with Judy Koch, president of the Bring Me A Book Foundation. Photo by Brigid Hubberman (taken before 3/20). Source: http://bit.ly/3vIZURz.
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2021
The prevalence of mental illness during the pandemic could lead to greater awareness and understanding of the issue, which could lessen the stigma, KIM JONES BSW ’91, told the Atlanta Journal Constitution in April 2020. Jones is executive director of the Georgia chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. “What we are experiencing right now is what people with a mental health condition experience their whole life,” she said. “I think it would be hard for anyone, after COVID-19, to not relate to it.”