NASW Foundation National Programs

NASW Social Work Pioneers^®

Wayne Vasey (1910-1992)

Wayne Vasey's major contribution was that of the development of social work education to prepare practitioners and administrators for public welfare programs. His first positions were in state and local welfare agencies. Later he became Dean of the Schools of Social Work at the University of Iowa, Rutgers University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

In 1961 while at Rutgers he served as a consultant to the Ad Hoc Committee on Public Welfare, appointed by HEW's Secretary Ribicoff, whose report formed the basis for the 1962 Social Service Amendments to the Social Security Act. After his first retirement he became a professor at the University of Michigan's School of Social Work. After his second retirement, in 1970, he developed a gerontology program at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

He was a member of the First Board of the National Association of Social Workers, and also served on the National Board of the Council of Social Work Education, Family Service Association of America, America Public Welfare Association, Planned Parenthood, and the Unitarian Service Committee.