Merl C. (Terry) Hokenstad's (b. 1936) career was defined by professorial roles at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA. His education at Augustana College, South Dakota (BA), Columbia University (MSW) culminated at Brandeis University (PhD). At various times, he served as president of NACASSW and CSWE, chaired NASW's International Committee and was also treasurer and secretary of IASSW. He served on a number of important UN bodies concerned with ageing, and led delegations and gave workshops on a variety of subjects across the world. He has authored nine books, co-edited journal special editions and books, published many articles and papers, and served as editor-in-chief of International Social Work.

When did you receive the award and on what basis?

I received the award at the IASSW conference in Adelaide, Australia, in 2004. Thinking about it, there were three different reasons why I received it. One certainly was my role and leadership in IASSW over the years. I was actually on the board for 16 years in all. I was elected treasurer of IASSW in 1978, and I held the office two terms until 1986. In 1986, I became president of CSWE, a position I held until 1989. During that time, I represented the US on the IASSW board as president of the council. Both president and executive director of the Council have always represented the US. After a hiatus, I came back on the board of IASSW from 1996 to 2000, as secretary of the organization. Hence, I held leadership roles in the organization for a number of years.

Another reason is that I have served as one of the representatives of the IASSW at the UN since 1996. I have been one of the five-member IASSW team, involved in the Social Work Day planning. I became actively involved and have been serving on the NGO Committee on Ageing at the United Nations for this entire period. My work with the UN, which started out because I was active in IASSW, leads to the second reason why I might have been chosen for the award.