Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) alumni, faculty, family and friends gathered together for a fun evening of camaraderie at Citi Field stadium on July 29 for the school’s first-ever Spirit Night. The thirty-plus guests sat in reserved field-level seats and received Mike Piazza replica jerseys as part of the evening program, and socialized as they watched the New York Mets take on the San Diego Padres.

This first-ever GSSW Spirit Night was sponsored by the newly established Graduate School of Social Work Alumni Association. Julie Jimenez, GSSW ’14, a member of the Alumni Association Leadership Council, served as volunteer chairperson of the event.

“Oftentimes after one graduates, one feel alone and disconnected,” she said. “Our goal is to continue the spirit of “community”—or shall I say “family”—that we’ve received and built during our years at GSSW. Even when our worlds become busy, it’s nice to know that there is an organization of individuals who understand our struggles and rejoice in our victories.”

“Spirit Night was the first of many more events to come for GSSW Alumni to get involved and stay connected,” she added.

Dr. Eric Levine, Director of Social Work Engagement at GSSW, confirmed this. “Our goal, through the myriad events we’re organizing for our alumni, as well as other programs and services, is to provide opportunities for them and their peers to build relations, network, and reinforce the social work community among all of us here,” he said. 

So far, the association has already hosted Dr. Yael Latzer of Haifa University, an international expert on eating disorders, for an educational forum. Its LMSW licensure test preparation courses and tutorials—at no-cost to alumni—has over 100 participants thus far.

"We have begun a multi-faceted outreach to our over 515 Social Work alumni, with opportunities for licensure preparation, professional development, and ongoing bonding,” said Dean Steven Huberman. “A little fun here and there is always terrific, too, so we joined the Mets. The evening was a great success.”