Returning adult Social Work student is UW-Green Bay graduating class speaker

A returning adult student who is earning her Master of Social Work degree while working full-time, carrying an expanded course load and completing an internship requirement of 15 hours per week will be the graduating class speaker during UW-Green Bay commencement Saturday, May 17.

Susan Exworthy of De Pere completed her undergraduate degree in Social Work last year at the age of 50, participating in UW-Green Bay’s May 2013 commencement. She entered the MSW program in the fall, and by this August will have completed the degree requirements in a single year despite the significant time demands. In addition to work, classes and internship requirements, Exworthy during the past academic year passed her state and national examinations for social work licensure at the Certified Social Worker level.

Exworthy currently is completing an internship with Dynamic Family Solutions, which operates mental health counseling clinics in Northeastern Wisconsin, and she has been asked to continue on as a resident therapist after graduation. Additionally, she recently assumed new duties as a substance abuse counselor with Independent Assessment and Counseling Services of Green Bay. Exworthy plans to attain licensure as a Substance Abuse Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Wisconsin.

Exworthy was civically active for more than 20 years in Oconto County, where she previously lived. She was a licensed foster parent, an alderwoman, a proponent for restoration and enhancement of historic downtown Oconto, and chair of the city’s Board of Appeals. She is an active volunteer with Unity Hospice and Goodwill, and has served on the committee for Brown County Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week. Exworthy and her husband Paul have six children and four grandchildren.

Spring commencement will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 17 at the Kress Events Center on campus. For more information.

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