Grand View University Receives Impactful Gifts to Support Social Work Students

December 17, 2024

Grand View University recently received two donations to establish three scholarships benefiting students studying Social Work at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Diana '87 and Philip Sickles established the Diana '87 and Philip Sickles Scholarship to serve Black undergraduate social work students and the Diana '87 and Sharon '88 Sickles Scholarship to serve Black graduate social work students. An anonymous donor made a gift to endow the Catalyst Scholarship for Master of Social Work students. This new scholarship complements the Catalyst Scholarship for Social Work students at the undergraduate level, which was established anonymously in 2018.

“We know the best way to address concerns within a community is to develop providers and leaders from that same community. These scholarships help recruit the most talented students who are likely to return to their communities as the agents of change needed,” shared Myke Selha, LISW, MSW, BSW Program Director and Associate Professor of Social Work, and Title III Grant Director.

These scholarships give the Sickles family the opportunity to give back to new students preparing to enter the profession, while also helping them support their passions and meet a need in the community.

Phil gives insight, “Diana and our daughter, Sharon, both graduated from Grand View. Sharon went on to earn her LISW and, for the last 10 years, has provided therapy for students at a Des Moines elementary school. Diana went on to become an ELCA ordained pastor, where she found her social work background very helpful."

"We have been concerned about the lack of Black therapists available to assist the greater Des Moines community and think this is a way to help Black students who are interested in a degree in social work or another mental health field. We also wanted to, in some small way, pay reparations for the discrimination members of the Black community have suffered. It's payback time to a school that has served us very well and where we can help the Black community at the same time." 

The Catalyst Scholarship for Master of Social Work students provides support for students who may be underrepresented in the field of social work.

“Scholarships such as the Catalyst Award reflect an investment in students who demonstrate the potential to make positive changes in their communities. Students chosen for the award are ones who can be counted on to make a difference in the lives of others. We are very excited to offer this opportunity to support Grand View students as catalysts for change,” shared Dr. Cathy Beck-Cross, MSW, LMSW, EdD, Associate Professor of Social Work, MSW Program Director.

Starting in the spring of 2025, Grand View students will be selected to receive these funds making an immediate impact in both the social work community and Grand View students' lives.  

“On behalf of Grand View University, we are grateful for the generous donations from Diana and Phil Sickles and our anonymous donor. These gifts will not only provide crucial financial support to our current and future students, but it also strengthens the lasting legacy of our alumni community. Their commitment to advancing education and fostering opportunities for the next generation of learners is inspiring, and we are proud to see their continued investment in the success of our students and the future of Grand View University,” said LB (Nagle ’08) Lyons, Vice President for Advancement.