Cal State LA celebrates founding leaders of the School of Social Work and CAFVI at Inaugural Alumni Event

Cal State LA welcomed alumni, faculty, students, and community partners to the Golden Eagle Ballroom on Friday, Sept. 26, for the Inaugural Alumni Event honoring the late E. Frederick Anderson, founding director of the School of Social Work, and Patricia Savich Colman, retired founder of the Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute (CAFVI).

The event, hosted by the School of Social Work and CAFVI in partnership with the Cal State LA Alumni Association and University Advancement, celebrated the legacies of two pioneers whose vision and leadership shaped social work education and child welfare training at the university.

"This event celebrates two individuals whose contributions extended far beyond our campus," said Siyon Rhee, director of the School of Social Work. "Dr. Anderson and Dr. Savich Colman not only shaped programs that changed lives here at Cal State LA but also advanced the practice of social work and child protection across California and beyond."

Anderson was honored posthumously with a commemorative plaque presented by Social Work Professor William Wong. Anderson joined the Cal State LA faculty in 1991 as a full professor and chair of the then-Department of Social Work. He was instrumental in transforming the department into the School of Social Work and became its founding director when it was established in 1997. He also played a significant role in securing approval for the university's Master of Social Work program, which was launched in 1999. He passed away in December 2023.

As the first principal investigator on major training grants with the Inter-University Consortium, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, and the California Social Work Education Consortium at Berkeley, Anderson helped lay the foundation for statewide stipends that have since supported thousands of graduate social work students. His scholarship focused on the history of social welfare, social policy analysis, and macro practice strategies.

Anderson's contributions were recognized in 2011 with the Cal State LA Distinguished Faculty Alumnus Award, and his legacy continues through the programs and partnerships he established. He earned his bachelor's degree in sociology from Cal State LA in 1965.

Savich Colman was also recognized during the program for her outstanding contributions to child welfare, forensic interviewing, and multidisciplinary training.

"Today, we honor Patricia Savich Colman for her vision, her leadership, and her unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children and families," said Colleen Friend, emerita director of the Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute, during the plaque presentation. "Her pioneering efforts in training, research, and court partnerships embody the mission of Cal State LA and continue to inspire generations of students and professionals."

Savich Colman joined the Cal State LA faculty in the Department of Communication Disorders before founding CAFVI in 1990, which quickly became a leading hub for training and education in child welfare and family violence prevention.

Under her leadership, CAFVI secured major grants, developed the Child Abuse and Family Violence Certificate program, and partnered with the Edelman Children's Court to prepare students for careers in court-related and child protection services. She also created the Advanced Child Interview Specialist Training (ACIST) program, California's first statewide advanced course designed to train multidisciplinary professionals in the sensitive and effective interviewing of children suspected of being abused.

Her innovative work was so impactful that the California Attorney General's Office entrusted her team at Cal State LA with implementing and refining the ACIST program statewide. Though she retired in 2005, her programs and partnerships continue to influence social work practice and training.

In her acceptance speech, Savich Colman reflected on her career and legacy. She said: "I am deeply honored to be recognized by Cal State LA, a university that gave me the opportunity to build programs that continue to serve children and families today. The work of protecting children is never finished, and I am grateful to have been part of preparing generations of students to carry that mission forward."

The evening also featured remarks from Social Work Professor Victor Manalo, who served as the master of ceremonies, and other colleagues who worked alongside Anderson and Savich Colman. Many reflected on the lasting impact of their mentorship, scholarship, and advocacy. The event included a slideshow with images from CAFVI trainings and the Children's Memorial Forest, which was dedicated in memory of maltreated children.

More than 130 guests attended the event, marking the first in what Cal State LA hopes will become an annual tradition to honor distinguished leaders, strengthen alumni networks, and reaffirm the university's commitment to preparing the next generation of social workers and child welfare advocates. Through faculty support, more than 30 students were able to attend and take part in the celebration.

The School of Social Work at Cal State LA is committed to promoting social and economic justice through different levels of social work practice with individuals and families in need, groups, diverse communities, and social welfare policies and programs. Since its establishment, the school has prepared thousands of social work professionals who serve in diverse roles across California and the nation.

CAFVI was established under the umbrella of what is now the Rongxiang Xu School of Health and Human Services at Cal State LA. It aims to promote effective prevention of and intervention in child abuse and domestic violence by providing interdisciplinary education, training, and state-of-the-art resources for students, professionals, and the community. Its certificate programs and advanced training models continue to inform best practices and strengthen the child welfare workforce.

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California State University, Los Angeles is the premier comprehensive public university in the heart of Los Angeles. Cal State LA is ranked number one in the United States for the upward mobility of its students. Cal State LA is dedicated to engagement, service, and the public good, offering nationally recognized programs in science, the arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education, and the humanities. Founded in 1947, the University serves more than 22,000 students and has more than 270,000 distinguished alumni.