The Department of Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato, awarded Nancy Lange of Southwest Health and Human Services with its Social Work Alumna of the Year award.
Lange received the award Nov. 6 at the MSU Social Work Honors Day event.
Lange graduated from Mankato State College in 1976, worked for two years in South Dakota, and then has been working as a social worker in Rock County since 1978.
Luverne native David Beimers, PhD, is an associate professor in social work and is chair of the Department of Social Work at MSU.
He presented the award to Lange and said he enjoyed the opportunity to recognize a fellow Rock County professional. “She is very deserving,” said the 1988 LHS graduate.
The award is presented to a distinguished social work alumna who has demonstrated significant career achievements as a social worker.
Beimers, son of Bill and Esther Beimers, Luverne, shared with Star Herald information about Lange that was read at the awards ceremony.
“Nancy has accomplished a lot over her professional career, but what I find just as compelling is what her colleagues have to say about her commitment to the social work profession and the field of child welfare,” Beimers said in Lange’s introduction.
He said her colleagues spoke of her commitment to the well-being of social work staff, mentoring, training and modeling professional behavior.
They also spoke of her commitment to children and her passion to improve how child protection and law enforcement work together to investigate cases.
“It really is an honor to recognize Nancy Lange with our 2015 Alumna of the Year for the Department of Social Work at Minnesota State University, Mankato,” Beimers said.