Aurora University professor named Social Worker of the Year

AURORA, Ill, July 11, 2007- Donald Phelps of Naperville, assistant professor of social work in the School of Social Work at Aurora University, was recently honored as the Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Three Rivers District.

Phelps, who teachers graduate and undergraduate courses, was honored for his civic and educational contributions. The award was announced June 19 at the Naperville Public Library. 95th Street branch. Co-presenters were John Morrison, AU social work professor, and Lora Windsor, a social worker and therapist based in Geneva.

Windsor said, “Don Phelps works in the community, across the country, and across continents. His intellect, energy, and sense of duty serve as an extraordinary example for the social work profession, modeling compassion, excellence and vision.

“His respect for others enriches lives—students, colleagues, clients, community members.”

Morrison said, “Don is not content with merely being a social work professor.  He has assumed many roles in campus leadership.  He has been a member of a number of key committees beyond the School of Social Work.  He has been involved in reaccreditation strategic planning and is a member of the University Senate. 

“He is well regarded by faculty colleagues as well as the University’s administration.  Over the past year, he has taken on major responsibility with a youth development initiative involving partnership between Aurora University and the City of Aurora,” Morrison said.

Former chair of the Three Rivers District, Phelps serves on the district leadership council, is first vice president NASW-Illinois chapter board of directors of NASW, is treasurer and chair of the finance committee, member of the NASW-Ill. 2006-2009 strategic plan committee, and is a member of the NASW delegate assembly.

An AU faculty member since 2001, Phelps earned a Ph.D. in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a master’s in social work from AU, and a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from Northern Illinois University.

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