UT Social Work mourns the loss of cherished members of our community and honors their legacy.
Steve Hicks
The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work mourns the passing of Steve Hicks in January 2026. A generous donor and longtime friend of the School, his vision and philanthropy impacted the lives of social work students Hicks believed in the power of social work to change lives, and he acted on that belief. His gifts helped shape UT Social Work, opening doors for students to pursue their calling without the weight of substantial student debt.
“We lost a true friend to UT Social Work,” said Dean Allan Cole. “Steve Hicks understood that people are called to this profession, not merely trained for it. His generosity reduced financial barriers and affirmed that social workers are worthy of support as they dedicate their lives to supporting others. Steve believed in the transformative power of this work, and I will always be grateful for his friendship and for the vision that has shaped UT Social Work in profound and lasting ways. That legacy will live on in every student we serve.”
Steve Hicks’ legacy is woven into the fabric of The University of Texas School of Social Work. Through the students he supported, the faculty he empowered, and the innovations his generosity made possible, his influence will endure for generations.
The values he championed continue to shape the school and the communities it serves. Gifts in his memory will go towards the Steve Hicks Scholars and Fellows Endowment, specifically aimed at reducing financial barriers for social work students.
Dr. Donna Rolin
Dr. Donna Rolin, 50, passed on July 7 due to complications from nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Rolin joined the School of Social Work in 2017 when she became co-director of the Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.
She also served the UT School of Nursing as a clinical associate professor and the director of their psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program. She often collaborated across the Forty Acres on projects with UT Social Work, the School of Nursing, and Dell Medical School, including several efforts that focused on patients who are survivors of domestic violence and trafficking.
Ronald William Massey
Ronald William Massey, 81, passed away after relocating to a senior living facility in Houston from a long-term illness. His career as a social worker started with serving in the Peace Corps in 1967 and ended with his retirement from the School of Social Work at UT Austin in 2010. He enjoyed helping others, traveling, gardening, and getting together with longtime friends. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Setna Massey and is survived by his brother Neal Massey and several cousins and their families.