Dr. Susan Vallem, Wartburg College professor of social work, is the 2013 recipient of the Iowa National Association of Social Workers’ Lifetime Achievement award.
Vallem, who is retiring after 26 years of full-time teaching, received the award April 19 recognizing a NASW member who “demonstrates repeated outstanding achievements and outstanding creativity, receives recognition beyond the social work profession and shows contributions of lasting impact.”
“I’ve been blessed,” Vallem said. “This award is particularly important to me because it is peer recognized. I’m a professor, of course, but I’m also a passionate social worker. To be recognized by peers in this field and at Wartburg is particularly special.”
Dr. Tammy Faux, Wartburg professor of social work, nominated Vallem because of her extensive advocacy work and service in times of disaster.
“She is a fantastic role model for students and colleagues in her dedication to the profession of social work and to the empowerment of people,” she said.
“When Susan is in Washington, D.C. for a meeting,” Faux added, “she takes the time to visit her legislators to continue advocating for social workers and for social justice.”
As a volunteer and trainer for the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services, Vallem went to New York City in the aftermath of 9/11 and to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
She also serves as chair of the board of trustees at the Waverly Health Center.
Vallem, a 1966 Wartburg graduate, will continue to do some teaching at Wartburg — including Military Culture and Families, a course involving the training of military service dog, and lead the May Term course in Alaska. She will do part-time work as a clinical supervisor with Lutheran Services of Iowa.
“I plan to put my social work and licensure back into practice. I like staying busy, and I love Wartburg,” Vallem said. “I’m looking forward to attending Wartburg activities, working with the college’s Slife Institute for Social Work Research, Training & Consultation, doing a little more clinical work because I still enjoy being a social worker.”