What We Believe
Want to learn more about our history and the history of social work? What We Believe, the new book detailing nearly 100 years
of social work education at Washington University in St. Louis, is available now. Learn more about What We Believe
Social work at Washington University dates back to 1909 when the University became the home of the struggling St. Louis School of Social Economy. From 1909-10, the School occupied space in the Olivia Building at 1023 N. Grand Avenue (picture to right).
The School became an official department of Washington University in 1913, but a study found that the community had little interest in the School. The University of Missouri took over direction of the School and renamed it the Missouri School of Social Economy.
As social work education took shape on the national level, the University's Training Course for Social Workers began with Frank J. Bruno, a professor from University of Minnesota, leading the University's efforts in this area.
Betty Bofinger Brown, wife of Brown Shoe Company founder George Warren Brown, provides funds to permanently endow the department of social work and provide for the creation of Brown hall, the first building erected for the purpose of social work education.
The George Warren Brown School of Social Work officially launches in July 1945 offering a BS in Public Administration and the MSW. Benjamin E. Youngdahl (picture to right), another Minnesota transplant, becomes dean. During his tenure, the School develops its first 10-year strategic plan, starts its doctoral program, and becomes the first school at the University to admit African American students.
There were many bright spots during this turbulent time. Thanks to the leadership of the later Richard Parvis, the School's International Programs blossomed. The School also launched the Benjamin E. Youngdahl lecture. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey delivered the first lecture (picture to right).
The School prospered under the leadership of Dean Shanti Khinduka. Technology arrived with a new computer lab opening in 1983 offering access to information about social work field placements. A new building, Goldfarb Hall, more than doubled the School's space.
New collaborations characterize the current era. New partnerships with China's Peking University and Hong Kong Poly Technic University, and most recently with India's Tata Institute for Social Sciences, offer students and faculty new opportunities for international exchanges (picture to right).