Retiring professor continues role at UP

By Rachel McIntosh, Staff Writer -- mcintosh14@up.edu

Social work professor Joseph Gallegos is retiring in May and to commemorate his service, UP established the Joseph S. Gallegos Leadership in Social Work award in his honor. Senior social work and French studies major Rosie Cullen is the first recipient of the award.

The award was established this year to recognize a graduating social work major who demonstrated outstanding leadership in the social work professional community.

The social work faculty picked from the 18 graduating seniors who exemplified social service and leadership.

"We wanted to come up with an award that showed his influence – just to show how much we respect him and something to allow him to live on through the university, even in a small way," said senior Sydney Syverson, who is a part of the group organizing his retirement party. "It is great that he will have something in his name that will live on and keep him here at the university."

When Gallegos first came to UP in 1988, there was no social work program. He was the only faculty member in his department for 10 years. Gallegos has been a major contributor to the growth and success of the program.

"Dr. Gallegos has held many leadership positions in the community, including with Catholic Charities and the National Association of Social Workers, and has been instrumental in shaping programs, policies and services around Portland and other areas," Rogers said.

According to Gallegos, he will continue his legacy at the University through his emeritus status which allows him to continue to write grant proposals and possibly work toward his goal of establishing a Master's of Social Work program.

"There is a possibility of a collaborative program with Pacific University. There are only five programs in the state, so we have a great need for a good program in terms of social work."

Even though he will no longer teach at the university, Gallegos will still stay connected with UP while spending more time with his family.

"People ask me how long I have been planning this retirement … for 22 years, and I have been here 23," Gallegos said. "When I got here and my daughter was born, I was thinking about retiring."

Originally, the social work department wanted to split the Dorothy Day Outstanding Student award in order to give it to two students, but Department Chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences professor Anissa Rogers came up with the idea of creating an award in Gallegos's honor.

"When she told me about it, I thought, ‘Don't you have to be dead to do that?'" Gallegos said. "So we pondered that and then we talked to the special events director Bill Reed, and he gave us the OK."

Cullen is the president of the Social Work Club and is on the board of directors for the National Board of Social Work Leaders.

"Rosie is a really good leader," Syverson said. "She is motivated and has a strong, caring personality. She has a social worker heart, so she really deserved this award."

Gallegos has truly been a great influence on Cullen as he encourages his students to always do more for their community.

"He wants students to do things that are bigger and better than just being a student," Cullen said. "Because he is so connected, he makes it easy for us to find those connections as well."

The Joseph S. Gallegos Social Justice Fund is also being established in Gallegos's honor. The fund will support social justice events on campus in honor of him.

"His passion for and commitment to social justice is reflective of the mission of the social work program at UP and the field of social work in general, so we thought it only fitting to establish a fund that could bring social justice events to campus to inspire others to get involved," Rogers said.

Upon retirement, Gallegos plans to travel in Europe after he teaches his last course in Salzburg this summer.

"It has really been an honor and a privilege to do what you enjoy doing," Gallegos said. "I really like working with students and teaching, so I will miss those things but I will still find way to connect with students."

If you would like to contribute to the fund, you can donate online by going to https://webster.up.edu/giveonline/. Be sure to type in "Gallegos Fund" under the "other" category.