David Jenkins of TCU’s social work department receives national honor

Fort Worth, TX

5/14/2007

Dr. David Jenkins, TCU associate professor of social work, is one of 12 geriatric social work professionals nationally to be named a 2007 Hartford Faculty Scholar by the Gerontological Society of America. The distinction provides Dr. Jenkins with benefits and guidance aimed to foster his professional development and $100,000 in funding over the next two years, which he will use to conduct research and for professional development.

"I believe that being selected as a Hartford Faculty Scholar is a huge honor," said Dr. Jenkins. "I am really passionate about my research and I think it is exciting to understand that my research was assessed by numerous individuals and that it continually passed review at several different levels.

His selection as a Hartford Scholar recipient directly reflects his expertise as a social work educator, researcher and practitioner with older adults and the value of his research project titled "Family Relationships in Older Adulthood: Step-grandparents who are Lesbian or Gay."

Dr. Jenkins will utilize the opportunity to develop an extensive network in the field of gerontology and looks forward to using the two years of training to build his research, teaching, and leadership skills.

This is the second year in a row that a faculty member from TCU's department of social work has been recognized as a Hartford Faculty Scholar. Last year, Dr. Harriet Cohen, was honored with a Hartford Faculty Scholar for her work on forgiveness with older Holocaust survivors.

“To have two Hartford scholars in our department of social work is very much an honor,” said Dr. Paulette Burns, dean of the Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “This also recognizes the quality of our program and its faculty.”