WASHINGTON – Howard University School of Social Work Dean Sandra Edmonds Crewe, Ph.D., MSW, is the recipient of the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Award. The award benefits teachers who have inspired their students to make a significant contribution to society and includes a $25,000 cash prize. Crewe was nominated for the award by her former student, Florence Champagne, MSW.  

“I am honored to receive this award and greatly appreciate the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Trust and Advisory Committee for their investment in faculty members who mentor students,” said Crewe. “As a faculty member, one of the greatest honors that one has is to be appreciated by your students and to know that you have made a difference in their careers.”

The award, administered by the Elizabeth Hurlock Beckman Trust, is given to current or former academic faculty members who have inspired current or former students to create an organization or build a concept, procedure or movement that demonstrates a benefit to the community at-large. Champagne nominated Crewe for the award, noting that Crewe’s scholarship, teaching and mentorship provided her with skills that enabled her to start The Open My Heart Foundation, after a heart condition threatened her life.

“I suffered a heart attack in 2012 and nearly lost my life. I had to have emergency open heart surgery,” Champagne said in a letter to the Trust. “Throughout my recovery, I found that I was not alone in my disparities in treatment. I was then able to utilize my social work practice skills to become an advocate for not only myself, but for others in similar situations.”

The Open My Heart Foundation helps eliminate heart health disparities in African-American women and women of color by providing education on heart disease awareness, offering monthly support group meetings, hosting an annual heart health fair and offering other services that provide education and support to women impacted by heart disease.

“It has been my pleasure to support Ms. Florence Champagne and the meaningful work of the Open My Heart Foundation,” Crewe continued. “I look forward to the School of Social Work’s continued sponsorship of webinars and programs addressing heart disease among African-American women. This award will ensure that funds are available to support the women who have financial needs related to their recovery.”

Crewe has dedicated her career and life to improving the quality of life for African-Americans as well as other underserved and marginalized populations. Having worked for 20 years in Maryland as a public and assisted housing executive and social worker, Crewe is recognized as an expert in human service, organizational leadership, housing, and caregiving – with an emphasis on quality of life across the lifespan. She is a National Association of Social Work (NASW) Pioneer, and she has published extensive scholarship addressing historical accomplishments of African-American women and disparities in the welfare system and in health care.

“I can think of no one more deserving of this award than Dean Crewe. Her efforts on behalf of Howard University and her students are not only appreciated, they are essential and impactful,” said Provost Anthony Wutoh, Ph.D. “Dean Crewe is devoted to her work and the individuals she serves. She is truly someone who makes the world a better place and she’s an outstanding teacher and role model for the students in the School of Social Work to emulate.”

For more information about the School of Social Work, visit https://socialwork.howard.edu/.  

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu