Linnea Flynn GlenMaye
is honored with a Brick from Chris Darnell, Sabrina Perez Glatt, Brien Bolin, Courtney Boettcher, Natalie Hays, Jeff Roth, Chandra Yarlagadda
Those who have known Dr. Linnea GlenMaye as family or friend, worked with her in the University and community, or have been instructed and counseled by her, have been impressed with her respect for the dignity of all people, her faith in their strength and resilience, her ideals of empowerment and social justice, and in her approachability and authenticity.
Linnea earned a Bachelor of Social Work degree from The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Master of Social Work and PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. She has been involved in social work education since earning her MSW, teaching at the University of Washington School of Social Work as a graduate student, then at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Wichita State University. She was elected Director of WSU’s School of Social Work by the School’s faculty in Spring 2004.
Her concern for women’s issues and social justice is evidenced by her active involvement in organizations that offer help and support to women and the disadvantaged. She was Co-Chair of the State Advisory Committee for the Status of Women in Kansas, a project of the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) in Washington, D.C., and has spoken and published extensively on the topics of women and empowerment.
As a teacher, Linnea has added a unique style of empowerment to her students’ lives, leading with wisdom and experience, humor and confidence, and a quiet, humble demeanor. She is full of compassion and concern for others. Her teaching style is a testimony to her devotion for the underprivileged; her actions speak louder than any words. She challenges her students to consider alternative ways of thinking, to break down barriers of prejudice and judgment.
As the Director of the School of Social Work, Linnea brought a new level of respect for faculty and staff, encouraging a greater cohesiveness among the faculty in the School. She was able to direct with a light hand by empowering others. She sees strengths in others that they may not see in themselves, inspiring them to do greater things. She enhanced communication between the School of Social Work and other offices at WSU and with other Social Work schools in the country through involvement in national organizations, making the School a more vital and active part of the University and national social work education communities. Her respect and concern for all people, her organizational abilities, her wisdom and insight, have made her an effective leader and the School of Social Work an exciting place to work.
Linnea would say her most important role and greatest accomplishment has been as a mother to Dan and Jeff Little. Jeff has described her importance in his life by saying she “has been a mother to me my whole life. She has also been a friend. But, most importantly, she has been an inspiration. I strive to live my life with the kindness, the generosity, and the compassion that she has always shown those fortunate enough to cross paths with her.” Dan, who followed his mother’s example as a professional social worker, has said she “shows us all the true meaning of what it means to be a social worker. She shows strength when others may falter. She shows compasion when others may turn away. She offers hope when many have given up. She has shown a son that you should never give up on your hopes and dreams.”
She is a woman of honesty and integrity, wise and purposeful, earning the respect and admiration of her family, friends, colleagues, and students. She gives freely with no expectation and inspires others to love, respect, and accept those around them. Those she inspires carry her values into the broader world touching uncountable lives with her values and empowerment, speading her positive influence like the ripples on a pond. We have been honored to know this true heroine.
