CEHD News

DAV funds social work scholarship for veteran

April 2, 2019
From left, DAV member Chuck Letourneau and Jim Klein, commander of the Chapter 1, present John Bricout, director of the School of Social Work, with a symbolic check. At right, is Trygve Throntveit, development officer for the College of Education and Human Development.

The Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota, Minneapolis Chapter 1, donated $3,000 the School of Social Work in March. The school plans to honor the generous gift by using the funds for a scholarship for current and incoming master’s of social work students who are veterans.

DAV Chapter 1 is dedicated to “empowering veterans to lead high-quality live with respect and dignity,” according to commander Jim Klein. The chapter, which was charted in 1922, has 3, 400 members. It works to ensure veterans and their families can access the full range of benefits available to them; fights for the interests of America’s injured heroes on Capitol Hill, and educates the public about the great sacrifice and needs of veterans who are transitioning back to civilian life.

The chapter provides financial aid and volunteer assistance to organizations like the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Minneapolis Veterans Home, Fort Snelling Cemetery Memorial Rifle Squad, and two service dog training organizations. It also works with county, state and DAV veterans service officers to assist with the needs of individual veterans. The financial aid for these programs is obtained from contributions.

John Bricout, director of the School of Social Work, said the DAV scholarship “will significantly assist an MSW student who is a veteran in their field work.”

MSW field director MJ Gilbert said applicants will be asked to write a short essay describing how their experiences in the military inform their decision to pursue social work, and how they hope to translate those experiences and perspectives into effective social work practice. In addition, at least one letter of support from an individual familiar with the applicant’s background as a social service practitioner and/or in the military, will be required.

In addition, Gilbert said, at least one veteran, either a faculty member or a field internship supervisor, will be included in the group of reviewers that makes the scholarship award decision. The plan is to award the entire amount to one student this year.