Lexington, KY – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) is pleased to share the establishment of the Dean S. Zafar Hasan College of Social Work Endowment Fund. This fund honors the remarkable legacy of Dr. S. Zafar Hasan, a trailblazer in social work academia, a beloved Dean Emeritus of CoSW, and a champion for advancing social justice and equity.
“We stand on the shoulders of visionary leaders like Dean S. Zafar Hasan,” said Dr. Jay Miller, current dean of CoSW. “We are profoundly grateful to the Hasan family and remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring this fund both honors his extraordinary legacy and perpetuates his vision for a more just and equitable society.”
Hasan’s ability to recognize the intrinsic humanity and potential in others defined his approach to leadership and scholarship. His dedication to social work and education was unwavering, and his contributions continue to resonate within the College and beyond.
“This meaningful gesture not only celebrates his legacy but also reflects the College’s commitment to its students and to a culture of generosity and excellence,” stated Dr. S. Akbar Hasan, son of Dr. S. Zafar Hasan.
In 1958, Hasan earned his Doctor of Social Welfare from Columbia University. He began his career in Lucknow, India, where he led the Department of Social Work at Lucknow University and established the country’s first Ph.D. program in the discipline.
Reflecting on his father’s deep connection to education and the university, Akbar shared, “My father loved the University of Kentucky, the College of Social Work, and the people it served.”
Recruited to the University of Kentucky in 1970, Hasan served as Dean of CoSW for nearly 20 years. “On behalf of the Hasan family, I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude to the College of Social Work for establishing the Dean S. Zafar Hasan College of Social Work Endowment Fund in honor of our father,” Akbar noted. “He valued education deeply, and I know he would be profoundly honored by this enduring tribute.”
A visionary leader and dedicated mentor, Hasan played a pivotal role in advancing the College’s academic programs and fostering its commitment to social justice. Akbar emphasized, “The endowment fund is a testament to his ideals and serves as an inspiring reminder of the impact one individual can have on the lives of others.”
“Thank you for recognizing his contributions and for creating a lasting opportunity that will benefit generations of students to come,” Akbar concluded. “Our family will support the growth of the Endowment Fund.”
The Dean S. Zafar Hasan Endowment stands as a powerful tribute to his lifelong commitment to meaningful change, his belief in the inherent humanity of others, and his dedication to enabling future social work leaders with the tools to create lasting impact.
For more information about the Dean S. Zafar Hasan College of Social Work Endowment Fund or to contribute please visit our dedicated page on give.uky.edu.