Students from the Walla Walla University School of Social Work in Billings, Montana, received their Master of Social Work degree diplomas at a commencement and hooding ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 13, in Billings. Jessica Connolly, MSW, justice of the peace for Sweet Grass County in Montana, and city judge for Big Timber, Montana, appeared as the guest speaker for the ceremony. Some of the 27 graduating students came from as far away as Casper, Wyoming, to attend classes at the WWU campus in Billings.

Varieties of social work that students in this graduating class will go into include medical social work, work with adolescents in a residential setting, and work at a mental health center. Some will likely work with clients with addictions, others with the elderly, and some will work with families.

The hooding ceremony is a traditional part of academic commencement ceremonies where hoods are given out as part of the graduate robes. The use of hoods as part of academic regalia dates as far back as the 1480s when they were part of the scholar uniform in many European universities. The hoods represent academic distinction and the achievements of students.

In addition to the Billings location, the WWU School of Social Work offers classes for undergraduate and graduate social work students on their campuses in College Place, Washington, and in Missoula, Montana. To learn more about studying social work at WWU, visit wallawalla.edu/socialwork.

Posted August 17, 2017