Support the Dr. Di Scholarship

Who is Dr. Di?

Dr. Di was born in Logan, Utah but grew up in Ogden to a middle-class family. She was very active in sports during High School at Ben Lomond High School where she graduated in 1971. There was a strong family history of Higher Education, and she attended Weber State College. She was interested in Social Work, but there was no degree, and she received a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and History in 1975,having served an LDS Mission in the Dakota's in 1973-74.

She maintained a goal of gaining a degree in Social Work and found work with the American Red Cross in Ogden as a "Director of Services" from 1977 to 1981. She then worked for the Division of Family Services as a Social Work Intern returning to Weber State in 1982 also as a Social Work Intern. Attended the University of Utah at this time and acquired her MSW in 1983. She then worked for Weber State College as a Counselor from 1983 to 1990 with additional responsibilities as a Resident Director and Student activities Advisor. While working, she commuted to the University of Utah working toward her PhD, which she received in 1990.

Diane had a great interest in Women's Issues including interviewing about the ERA amendment. Her thesis was entitled "The Persistence of Adult Women in Higher Education" She then applied for a position at Utah State University as an Assistant Professor starting in 1990. Her roll statement was heavy on teaching, and she was named Practicum Director.

Diane's role during the past 31 years has been a true example of service above and beyond the Core Values of Social Work. She has worked continuously developing opportunities for the Social Work students in placements locally, and from areas all over the State of Utah and well into Idaho. She has been intimately involved in establishing satellite campuses in Moab, Price, Vernal, Brigham City, Tooele to name a few. She has travelled all over the state by car and even airplane as the Social Work Department grew. She was instrumental in getting an MSW program going at Utah State. With all this, her focus has been one on one with students, faculty and clients.

On her arrival in Logan, Diane desired to be involved in the practice of Social Work and became a therapist at the Child and Family Support agency in 1991 with a Women's Group every week for therapy. She has continued this throughout her career at Utah State, currently continuing with her group therapy sessions at the "Family Place". Her efforts have been felt far and wide.

In addition to the Social Work program, Diane became involved early on with the Western Social Science Association bringing many different disciplines together from Universities over the Western United States and into Canada. She established a "Women's Group" to discuss Women's Issues as part of their annual meetings. The association publishes a Journal which she has participated in. Diane has been President of the organization and remains very active in its affairs. That has been a great
value to the reputation of Utah State University.

The Scholarship will be a great recognition of Diane's Work over the past 31 years teaching and practicing the core values of her chosen profession. Any recipient of scholarship funds would have a great role model to follow. That is the purpose and hopefully will be an aid in this quest!!