West Liberty University students were pleased to join President Robin C. Capehart for the official signing of a proclamation declaring Social Work Month on the Hilltop campus recently.

“All People Matter” is the theme selected by social workers across the nation for the 2014 Social Work Month, observed annually during March.

President Capehart signs the document proclaiming March Social Work Month at WLU. Members of the Social Work Club from left are: Alex Thistlethwaite, Julie Young, Clayton Craft, Arin Fields, Capehart, Melanie McFadden, Beth Trickett and Morgan Green.

“Social workers are in the profession of helping others and work daily to improve our communities. West Liberty University is pleased to support the work of our students as they study to become professionals in the field of social work,” said President Capehart.

“Our social work program and our student club actively participate in the month each year. We are proud to do our part in promoting the efforts of social workers everywhere,” said Melanie McFadden, a junior social work major and the president of the WLU Social Work Club.

During the month of March, the Social Work Club will be doing various activities in order to bring awareness to the theme and the field of social work, as well as the Social Work Program.

From 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 5, students and staff will be invited to trace their hands on construction paper and then write why all people matter to them. This fun, free event is for all of campus and the resulting collage of hands will be displayed on the third floor of Main Hall.

Additionally, the students have invited a guest speaker to join them on campus and provide a professional look at the theme of “All People Matter.” This event will be open to the public and details of the presentation will be announced soon.

The eight core social work practice areas include: youth, veterans, mental health, poverty reduction, health, aging, child protection and communities, according to the socialworkers.org website. The academic environment at WLU provides students a chance to explore each of these fields.

The Social Work Club meets in Room 348 of Main Hall at noon on Mondays and has 14 active members. Faculty coordinator is Professor Sheli Bernstein-Goff.

“We are striving to provide our students with a total learning experience that will lead them to a successful future. This club is a great example of the many extracurricular activities that support our academics,” Bernstein-Goff said.

Next month the club will continue its social work with Child Abuse Prevention Month activities, according to McFadden.

The American social work profession traces its roots to the late 19th century as leaders worked to ensure that immigrants and other vulnerable people gained tools and skills to escape economic and social poverty.

West Liberty University offers a bachelor’s degree program in social work. For complete information, please visit westliberty.edu or contact the program director Dr. Sylvia Hawranick-Senften at 304-336-8089 or shawranick@westliberty.edu.