Press Release

Saint Mary's Social Work Students Plan Community Economic Forum

Contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary’s College
gobrien@saintmarys.edu
(574) 284-4579

March 12, 2009 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—Students in social work professor Frances Kominkiewicz’s “Human Behavior and the Social Environment II” class will host a community forum on the economy at the College on Thursday, March 26. The event, which takes place during Social Work Month, will focus on how the weakened economy affects not only jobs and home ownership, but also education and family violence. The South Bend-area community is invited to attend this free event, which takes place from 5-6:30 p.m. in Vander Vennet Theatre in the Student Center. Guests will have an opportunity to network with the panelists and ask them questions.

Every year students in Kominkiewicz’s class put on a community forum to address issues currently facing society. The assignment includes everything from coming up with a topic to finding speakers to booking the event to publicity. The professor says the experience of planning and carrying out the event helps prepare the students for careers in social work.

“The students volunteer in the community through our course and see first-hand the struggles people are experiencing as a result of the economy. The students organized this forum to be proactive and assist in any way possible,” Kominkiewicz said. “As social work students, they want to make a difference in the lives of others. Through this forum, the students want to give the community a way to address these difficult issues and receive the information they need.”

This year’s community forum is titled “Bringing About Change: Our Economy’s Effects on Education, Family Violence, and Unemployment.” Six speakers are scheduled to take part:

o    Jerome McElroy, professor of economics, Saint Mary’s College
o    Mark Geissler, school social worker, South Bend Community School Corporation
o    Annie Envall, assistant director, S.O.S of Madison Center, South Bend
o    Judith Fox, associate clinical professor of law, Notre Dame Law School
o    Jessie Whitaker, director, LEND Homeownership Center
o    Thomas Kavanagh, vice president and general manager for Job Works, Inc.

The social work program is one of Saint Mary’s six nationally accredited academic programs.

About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees in more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.