Donald Cawley Social Work Endowed Scholarship
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 7, 2018
WACO, Texas — Donald Cawley was a lifelong learner.
The Waco social worker valued education so much that he pushed himself to earn undergraduate and master’s degrees despite financial struggles. He became a social worker because he wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.
Cawley, who died in February, would be pleased that a scholarship in his name will help educate future students at Tarleton State University and empower the next generation of social workers.
His wife, Dr. Darla Beaty, assistant professor of social work at Tarleton-Waco, established the Donald Cawley Social Work Endowed Scholarship in his honor. A scholarship announcement and celebration took place Friday at Cameron Park in Waco.
Throughout his career, Cawley worked in numerous social work fields, including private practice, adoptions, substance abuse, geriatric, psychiatric and healthcare. He also supervised undergraduate and graduate students earning social work degrees.
“Don loved his chosen profession of social work. For 50 years, he walked beside individuals and families as they made their way through difficult days,” Beaty said. “The lives he touched impacted the lives of many others. That is a part of his legacy. Another part is this scholarship, which will allow future social workers to be change agents.”
The scholarship will be awarded to full-time students accepted into Tarleton’s social work program, with a preference given to students at the Waco outreach center on the campus of McLennan Community College. Students must demonstrate a financial need.
Currently, the endowment is at $14,650, which includes contributions from Beaty, friends and family members.
“Tarleton’s vision is to become the premier student-focused university in Texas and beyond,” said Dr. David Weissenburger, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. “Scholarships allow our university to provide outstanding opportunities to students who otherwise might not be able to complete a degree.
“Scholarships like the Donald Cawley Social Work Endowed Scholarship help us train the next generation of social workers, who will play a critical role in supporting the health and well-being of all people, particularly those from marginalized communities.”
Tarleton, founding member of The Texas A&M University System, provides a student-focused, value-driven educational experience, marked by academic innovation and a dedication to transform today’s scholars into tomorrow’s leaders. Offering degree programs in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Midlothian and online to more than 13,000 students, Tarleton engages with communities through real-world learning experiences to address societal needs while maintaining its core values of integrity, leadership, tradition, civility, excellence and service.
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Contact: Sarah Bahari, News & Information Specialist
817-946-8789
bahari@tarleton.edu
