Wendy M. Berlinrood, Ph.D., LCSW-C (MSSW ’68) recently became president of a coordinating council in her greater community in Maryland. Dr. Berlinrood started her career in clinical social work at UT, and went on to set up a private practice for 50 years in Maryland. She retired 10 years ago. “This position has allowed me to bring together all of my education, clinical and organization skills that began at UT,” she said. “Thanks for a wonderful career. It still goes on.”
Eileen Ann Krampitz, LCSW (BSW ’82, MSSW ’86) passed away on Nov. 16, 2025. Along with being a devoted mom & “Granny,” Eileen dedicated her heart to her work as a licensed clinical social worker. She worked as a front-line case worker for CPS, led a therapeutic team at a residential treatment center, managed foster care agencies & finished her career as a crisis counselor at Stony Point High School in Round Rock, Texas. A celebration of her life was held on Jan. 10, 2026, in The Woodlands, Texas.
Laura Halliday Grulke (MSSW ’89) was given the St. David’s Healthcare Service award for 35 years of excellence at St David’s Rehabilitation Hospital.
Julie Baker (BSW ’91) is the vice president of operations for the Alamo Bowl, where she orchestrates the Bowl’s Community Festival of Events and directs every aspect of game day. She joined the Alamo Bowl in 1997 and has held her current role since 2002. On Dec. 30, she helped deliver her 29th Alamo Bowl game, a thrilling overtime game between TCU and USC.
Jan Wenig (MSSW ’97) was elected president of the Strategic HFC Board in January 2025. Directors are appointed by Travis County Commissioners Court to pursue their mission of building more quality a”ordable housing throughout Travis County.
Thad Frye (MSSW ’02) presented “Brainspotting in Sports Performance: Empowering Athletes with SelfRegulation” at the Alliance of Social Workers and Sports 11th Annual Social Work in Sports Symposium in New Orleans. Thad has a practice called “Performance Brainspotting” where he works with athletes, musicians and creatives utilizing Brainspotting to address performance anxiety, focal dystonia and writer’s block.
Colette Neis Von Hanna (MSSW ’10) completed her doctorate of ministry degree in Land, Food and Faith Formation from Memphis Theological Seminary in 2025.
Jacob Huereca (MSSW ’12) was chosen for the Community Builder Award in New Braunfels, Texas, on April 22, 2025.
Caroline Lawless-Bosarge (MSSSW ’15) earned her LCSW designation. She is a therapist with LifeStance Health, Jacksonville, Florida.
Hannah Songer (BSW ’18, MSSW ’21) began a role as a social worker at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood.
Lataya Hawkins, Ph.D., LCSW-S (Ph.D. ’21) was named Dean of the MEDCoE (US Army Medical Center of Excellence) Graduate School.
Taylor Williams, LMSW (BSW ’23) began a new role as a mental health therapist at Kind Therapy Austin.
Matt Riley (MSSW ’24) started a new role as a mobile crisis clinician at Easterseals PORT Health in Virginia.
Nicole Bernal, LMSW (MSSW ’25) started a new position as a clinical mental health professional at the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department.
Hetty Borenstein (MSSW ’25) began a new position as behavioral health collaborative care manager at CommUnityCare Health Centers.
CORRECTIONS: A previous edition of the Utopian misstated the title of Michele Hanna (Ph.D. ’05), who was appointed as the new editor-in-chief of the Journal of Social Work Education. She is a professor at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work.