Spring 1998: Centennial Souvenir Issue

1998 ALUMNI MEDAL AWARD

Agnes Louard '48

Photo of Agnes Louard

We are delighted to announce that retired Associate Professor and CUSSW alumna Agnes Louard '48 has received the Columbia University Alumni Medal for 1998. Professor Louard retired in 1992, after more than 25 years of distinguished service. As both faculty and alumna, she has inspired hundreds of CUSSW students and graduates through her leadership, commitment, and dedication to both the School and its Alumni Association.

Since the 1970's, Ms. Louard has been an active member of the Alumni Association's Conference Planning Committee, which defines themes for an annual conference, selects speakers, and assists in arrangements for the conference, the annual Alumni Board meeting, and dinner for the Board and members of the 25th and 50th anniversary classes. From 1975-79, Ms. Louard served on the School's Advisory Council. This prestigious body advises the Dean on policy matters affecting the welfare, development, and ed ucational program of the School.

In the 1980's, Ms. Louard was a charter member of the Alumni Association's Committee on School History, which prepares an Oral History Day featuring speakers and audio-visual presentations. The first Oral History Day, A History of Social Pioneering, was held in 1986. In 1988, she served on the Planning Committee for the School's three-day 90th Anniversary celebration.

Ms. Louard served as vice president of the Alumni Association from 1992-1994 and in 1993, was honored by the silver anniversary class for her many contributions to the School and the Association. In 1993, Professor Louard was also a member of the Carn egie Mansion Reunion Committee, bringing members of the classes of 1950 to 1970 to the School's former home to renew old friendships and re-activate their connections to their alma mater. In 1995, she joined the Association's Newsletter Advisory Committee.

Perhaps her greatest legacy is the V. Benjamin and Agnes Louard Scholarship, which Ms. Louard established in 1992 in memory of her late husband, himself a member of the class of 1954 and a past president of the School's Alumni Association. The Louard Scholarship is one of the School's first awards expressly for African-American Students. It enables qualified individuals to cope with the financial challenges of graduate study and advance the Louards' lifetime dedication to fostering education, expert ise, and hope among the disadvantaged. Through her efforts and those of the Louard Scholarship Fund Committee, the first such award was presented at a special reception hosted by the Dean of the School of Social Work in December 1997.

Also in 1997, Ms. Louard was elected to the Alumni Association Board. She has continued her work on the Conference Planning committee, has served on the Association's International committee, and has hosted a dinner for international students and alu mni. She has also graciously agreed to co-chair her class's 50th reunion this year.

The year 1998 marks the 50th anniversary of Ms. Louard's graduation and the 100th anniversary of both the School of Social Work and the social work profession itself. It is appropriate that, during this historic year, Agnes Louard be the honored reci pient of the 1998 Alumni Medal.