Social Network

Eggleston Sociology Scholarship Established

Jeanne Marie Welch and other generous alumni and friends of the Social Work Program in the UAB Department of Sociology and Social Work have given funds to establish an endowed scholarship in honor of longtime faculty member Norman Eggleston, Ph.D. Eggleston made substantial contributions to the field of >social work, the formation and development of the Social Work Program at UAB, and the education of countless students during his nearly 20 years of service on faculty at UAB.

“This award honors the life of its namesake, Dr. Eggleston, who overcame adversity associated with growing up in foster care. He persevered to attain his undergraduate degree, master’s degree, and subsequently his doctorate from the prestigious University of Chicago,” says Christopher Walker, director of the Social Work Program. “Each academic year the social work faculty may nominate one student for this scholarship who has overcome significant adversity or obstacles to attain the degree with distinction.”

Fondly referred to as “Norm” or “Dr. E.,” Eggleston was beloved by the many colleagues, students, and community partners he influenced during his time at UAB. He served as chair of the Department of Social Work from 1976, when he came to UAB and established the Social Work Program, until his retirement in 1995, and he also served as associate dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences from 1993 to 1995. He worked tirelessly with social service agencies in Alabama by volunteering his time and expertise in a wide range of areas, including grant writing, in which he was famed as having “the Midas touch.”

Eggleston’s teaching style, humility, and dedication to social work helped shape many of the professionals in Alabama’s social work community. Having spent his childhood years first in an orphanage and later in numerous foster homes, Eggleston was fond of saying that the one person who was the only constant in his young life was his social worker. From that experience was born his passion for helping others and his firm confidence that social workers make a tremendous difference in the lives of those in need of support and care. In 2002, Eggleston was inducted to the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame. He passed away in 1998 at the age of 70.

Maintaining the Momentum / Summer 2011