LEXINGTON, Ky. – The University of Kentucky College of Social Work (CoSW) celebrated its graduating class of 2024 on Friday, December 20 at Rupp Arena and at the CoSW’s Graduation Celebration.
The CoSW is committed to developing outstanding professionals — leaders who will serve individuals, families, and communities through innovative and effective practices that are guided by cultural competency, systematic ethical analysis, and a keen and pragmatic understanding of the human condition.
The class of 2024 join the ranks of CoSW alumni, poised to shape the future with integrity, passion, and unwavering commitment to excellence, reminding the world that Social Work is Everywhere.
“I’m so thrilled to meet this next milestone in my life,” said Portia Les’Pere, a Master of Social Work (MSW) graduate and United States Air Force veteran, said. “I retired from the Air Force after 22 years and the last three years I attended the University of Kentucky’s Master of Social Work program. This program made it possible for me to be active duty, be deployed, but also continue my education and start the next chapter of my life.”
Following the graduation ceremony Friday morning, the College of Social Work hosted a Graduation Celebration at the Hilton Hotel in downtown Lexington, inviting all graduates and their loved ones to come together and meet their fellow graduates.
“We are so proud of our winter term graduates. They navigated their academic journey with professionalism, the curiosity for knowledge, and an awareness of how they would transform their education into efforts that will now impact clients across the globe,” Dr. Matt Moore, CoSW Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, said at the celebration.
Among those walking across the stage in Rupp Arena was Talia Vosevich, an MSW graduate who also completed her practicum placement with the College of Social Work.
“Being able to start this journey in social work and go out into the field and help people, it means a lot to me,” Vosevich said. “One thing I’ve learned is that connections are so important and everyone at the College of Social Work has been so kind and encouraging to me and my skillset. My time during my practicum has prepared me and reaffirmed that I am capable of going out into the social work world.”
The College of Social Work congratulates the class of 2024 and looks forward to the impact CoSW graduates continue to make on the Commonwealth and beyond, improving the human condition always, in all ways.
