AUSTIN, Texas —Wally Wingfield, MSSW ’83, will receive the 2012 Charles I. Wright Distinguished Alumnus Award from The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work. 
Wingfield will be recognized at the school’s annual spring alumni reception to be held Thursday, May 10, at the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center, 600 River Street. The award will be formally presented to Wingfield by Dean Luis H. Zayas at the School of Social Work commencement ceremony May 19 at Bass Concert Hall.
Wingfield, a social worker at Seton Shoal Creek Hospital for nearly 30 years, provides direct clinical work for clients with mental illnesses. He is actively connected with the School of Social Work and has served as a field instructor for numerous School of Social Work interns since 1986.
“As a social worker in an in-patient psychiatric setting at Shoal Creek, I enjoy seeing people get well and helping them pursue their plans for the future,” said Wingfield. “This transformation not only impacts the life of the individual but very often their whole family.”
The Charles I. Wright Award is presented annually by the School of Social Work and the Social Work Alumni Network (SWAN), the school’s alumni organization, to a distinguished alumna/alumnus who reflects social work values, demonstrates dedication to the social work profession, and a commitment to clients, public policy and/or the community. The award is named in recognition of its first recipient, Charles I. Wright, MSSW ’61. Wright served for many years as director of the Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, Texas. Each year, the SWAN Board of Directors selects one from among its many distinguished alumni nominated for recognition of his/her outstanding achievements.
SWAN offers programs and activities that strengthen and maintain communication between alumni and provides opportunities or professional development and career advancement. All graduates of the School of Social Work are considered members of SWAN.
For more information about SWAN, contact Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer Luna-Iduñate (512) 475-8131 or jluna-idunate@mail.utexas.edu.