University of Pittsburgh School of Social Work Dean Keynote Speaker at

University of Pittsburgh at Titusville Commencement April 29

TITUSVILLE, April 14 – Larry E. Davis, MA, MSW, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Social Work at the University of Pittsburgh, will present the commencement address at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville’s tenth annual commencement ceremony to be held on Saturday, April 29, at 2:00 p.m. in Henne Auditorium in the Broadhurst Science Center. 

Fifty-nine students will be awarded Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

            Davis, a distinguished teacher, scholar and writer, is the Donald M. Henderson Professor at UP and Director of the Center on Race and Social Problems.  He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan’s dual-degree program in social work and psychology, a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Michigan State University and a Masters in both social work and psychology from the University of Michigan.

Davis came to the University of Pittsburgh in the Fall of 2001.  He had been a faculty member at the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri since 1977, where he was a Professor of Social Work and Psychology and the holder of the E. Desmond Lee Chair in Ethnic and Racial Diversity. 

            Davis is co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Social Work, 20^th Edition.  He is also editor of Bridges magazine in the School of Social Work.  He has received research funding from sources such as the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Health, and the National Institute of Mental Health. 

Some of his publications have appeared in the Journal of Adolescent Research, Social Work, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, Journal of Black Psychology, Journal of Educational Psychology and Social Work Research.

He has written, edited, or co-authored four books:  Race, Gender and Class:  Guidelines for Practice with Individuals, Families and Groups (co-authored with Enola Proctor), Ethnic Issues in Adolescent Mental Health (co-edited with Arlene Stiffman), Black and Single: Finding and Choosing a Partner who is Right for You (3^rd edition 2004), and Working with African American Males:  A Guide to Practice (2000).  He is a frequent lecturer.

Davis is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Council on Social Work Education, and the Inter-University Consortium for International Social Development (IUCISD).

“We are pleased that Dr. Davis will be with us as our commencement speaker,” says UPT President William A. Shields.  “He is a nationally known educator and researcher.  He is also a dynamic speaker, who, I am sure, will have an excellent message for our graduates.”

At graduation, faculty and students will process to and from the ceremony to the tune of bagpipes.  Thirty-four of the 59 graduates will participate in the ceremony.  In addition, the UPT Gospel Choir will deliver a special performance during the commencement ceremony.

Following the ceremony, a reception will be held for graduates, honorees, family, faculty, staff and friends in Boomer’s in the J. Curtis McKinney II Student Union.  The public is invited to attend both graduation and the reception.

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