By DONALD MOTTERN | Editor

MONTEVALLO – Dr. Susan Vaughn, a retired educator and iconic figure in the University of Montevallo social work program, died Tuesday, August 13. She was 74.

Vaughn was born on October 14, 1949, in Geneva, Alabama, and graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1972 with a degree in sociology with a concentration in social work. She then earned a master’s degree in social work and worked at the Alabama Department of Pensions and Securities (now the Alabama Department of Human Resources) before returning to UM as an instructor in 1976.

She completed her Ph.D. at Case Western Reserve University in 1983.

“For over 30 years, Dr. Vaughn dedicated herself to higher education,” said an announcement from the University of Montevallo’s social work program. “She taught all courses in the social work curriculum, served as an intern director, directed the social work program for 19 years, and served as chair of the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences for 14 years.”

Throughout her career at the University of Montevallo, Vaughn served as a source of inspiration and encouragement to new recruits in the school’s social work program.

“Dr. Vaughn was a stern but infinitely fair professor who could be counted on to go the extra mile for her students, really as many miles as necessary,” the announcement said. “Dr. Vaughn’s legacy is simply remarkable, as she touched so many lives.”

Vaughn was considered an incredibly important figure in the development of the school’s social work program, and the announcement of his death sparked an outpouring of support on numerous university social media accounts and throughout the local community.

“I am deeply saddened to hear of Dr. Vaughn’s passing,” said Thresea Ladd Epps, a former student of Vaughn’s. “As others have so beautifully said, she was simply the best. She truly cared about her students. I came to Montevallo in 1980 – the first college student with one goal: to be a social worker. She persuaded me to stay in social work when I wanted to quit and helped me find a path to my future. She was truly a godsend. I can never say enough to express my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude for her investment in me.”

Vaughn received the University of Montevallo’s first Faculty Service Award in 2008 and the Alabama/Mississippi Social Work Educator of the Year Award that same year.

Despite her retirement in 2009, she remained Professor Emerita of Social Work at UM and was additionally honored with the university’s School of Behavioral and Social Sciences’ first Alumni Award. She was inducted into the Alabama Social Work Hall of Fame in 2012 and most recently received the Mary Lou Elder Williams Alumni Award on October 12, 2023.

Vaughn’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to either the Dr. Susan Vaughn Scholarship Foundation at the University of Montevallo Station 6215 Montevallo, AL 35115 or St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 925 Plowman Street Montevallo, AL 35115.

The wake for Vaughn will be held on Tuesday, August 27th from 5-7 p.m. at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 925 Plowman St in Montevallo. A second wake will be held on Wednesday, August 28th from 9-10 a.m. at St. Andrews. A memorial service will be held immediately following.