Donor Stories
Explore the stories of our generous donors whose support helps shape the future of social work. Their contributions are making a lasting impact on students, communities, and the profession.
Dona and Bob Diftler: Creating A Legacy
As a child, two things were clear to Dona Diftler: She wanted to be a counselor, to make a difference in people’s lives, and she enjoyed giving gifts more than she liked receiving them.
The William Steven Inklebarger Scholarship
There’s a story behind the William Steven Inklebarger Scholarship. It’s a story of courage, determination, and the power of education to change lives. Above all, it is the story of a family’s legacy and their proud tradition of service.
Alumni Stories
Discover the experiences of UTCSW alumni who are using their social work education to create positive change in their communities and beyond. Their stories reflect the power and reach of our alumni network.
From Olympic Gold Medalist to BSSW Graduate
US track and field Olympian Tianna Madison graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, online program.
Outstanding Alumnus 2023: Jennifer Trail, MSSW, LAPSW
Jen currently serves as the Assistant Director in the Office of Strategic Initiatives for the Tennessee Department of Health. She is a member of the Tennessee Public Health Association and a graduate of the Department of Health Commissioner’s Leadership Academy.
Jen has inspired at least one student to start her career with the public health department by reminding her how valuable and rare the social work skill set is in systems work. Jen’s career is an outstanding example of the power of social work values and ethics at work. She works statewide to empower communities to use their voice to improve health outcomes at the systems level.
CSW Donor and Alumni Relations
