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State association recognizes student, professor
February 16, 2007
As an undergrad, William Woehl confesses he wasn’t the most focused student. He was a non-traditional student, helping his wife raise their two children while attending classes.
He recalls the many times his psychology professors gave him a “swift kick in the pants” to keep him on track, which helped him graduate with a psychology degree. He went on to enroll in the university’s Marriage and Family Therapy master’s program, from which he’ll graduate next December.
Unlike his undergrad years, Woehl the graduate student is driven and dedicated. He regularly “goes the extra mile” to enhance his education and help others with their studies, said David Ward, assistant professor of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Woehl’s commitment to becoming a talented therapist was recognized by the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy last month. The association named him the 2007 Student of the Year, an honor given to only one student in Washington state.
Students are nominated by their fellow students and professors. Woehl received the most nominations from his fellow grad students, and the program’s faculty agreed he was the most deserving, submitting a letter of nomination to the association, Ward said.
“The thing that stands out is William goes the extra mile in being proactive about his education and then also uses his knowledge to help his (fellow students),” Ward said.
Woehl consistently supplements his required readings with additional readings he finds on his own, Ward said. He uses that knowledge for his own academic benefit and also shares it with his fellow grad students.
“The second thing that stands out is William is one of those students where his willingness to be vulnerable about his life experiences allows others to be vulnerable,” Ward said. Woehl’s willingness to share his life story helped enrich the classroom environment.
Woehl decided to get a master’s in marriage and family therapy because there was lots of adversity in his upbringing, he said. He dropped out of high school, and earned his GED after becoming a father. Now that he has overcome those obstacles, he’d like to help others facing similar challenges.
In the nomination letter, the faculty also noted that Woehl is able to integrate and apply theoretical concepts to his cases, and he is dedicated to his personal relationships with his clients, colleagues and his own family members. His fellow students added he is approachable, devoted and humble.
“I believe this award has come about because of several of my undergraduate professors and graduate professors, because of the way they influenced me,” Woehl said. “I believe each of my (fellow students) are deserving of this award. They all – my colleagues and professors – have inspired me in so many ways and in my growth and development as a therapist and a person.”
He credits his undergraduate psychology professors with preparing him to succeed in the master’s program. In the master’s program, Woehl said he’s benefited from the small class sizes, knowledgeable faculty and hands-on experience working with clients.
The association also named Charles York, professor of marriage and family therapy, the 2007 Educator of the Year.
The award honors his excellence in teaching and outstanding commitment to his students. Student evaluations indicate he is a skilled and creative teacher, and students make particular note of his sense of humor, respectfulness and passion for the discipline.
“A lot of us have had the opportunity to watch him in the therapy room, and he makes the art of therapy really stand out,” Woehl said of York. “He’s like a master painter.”
York is not only able to incorporate the theories of therapy, but also adjust his approach to fit the needs of the client, Woehl explained. It’s a skill that takes years of practice.
York provided key leadership in developing PLU’s Marriage and Family Therapy program, and along with his colleague Cheryl Storm, he initiated and led the process to attain accreditation for it. Storm was the association’s 2006 Educator of the Year.
In addition, York co-authored a federal grant that established an on-campus clinic to serve individuals, couples and families, particularly the working poor and others ineligible for other community programs. He served frequently as the clinic’s director.
His other contributions to the marriage and family therapy field are numerous and varied. They include publishing six articles and providing clinical training to an array of social service and educational organizations, such as family practice residents at Madigan Army Medical Center, the Seattle Public Schools, campus ministries and community mental health centers.
To learn more about PLU’s master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy, visit www.plu.edu/~mfth.
Unlike his undergrad years, Woehl the graduate student is driven and dedicated. He regularly “goes the extra mile” to enhance his education and help others with their studies, said David Ward, assistant professor of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Woehl’s commitment to becoming a talented therapist was recognized by the Washington Association for Marriage and Family Therapy last month. The association named him the 2007 Student of the Year, an honor given to only one student in Washington state.
Students are nominated by their fellow students and professors. Woehl received the most nominations from his fellow grad students, and the program’s faculty agreed he was the most deserving, submitting a letter of nomination to the association, Ward said.
“The thing that stands out is William goes the extra mile in being proactive about his education and then also uses his knowledge to help his (fellow students),” Ward said.
Woehl consistently supplements his required readings with additional readings he finds on his own, Ward said. He uses that knowledge for his own academic benefit and also shares it with his fellow grad students.
“The second thing that stands out is William is one of those students where his willingness to be vulnerable about his life experiences allows others to be vulnerable,” Ward said. Woehl’s willingness to share his life story helped enrich the classroom environment.
Woehl decided to get a master’s in marriage and family therapy because there was lots of adversity in his upbringing, he said. He dropped out of high school, and earned his GED after becoming a father. Now that he has overcome those obstacles, he’d like to help others facing similar challenges.
In the nomination letter, the faculty also noted that Woehl is able to integrate and apply theoretical concepts to his cases, and he is dedicated to his personal relationships with his clients, colleagues and his own family members. His fellow students added he is approachable, devoted and humble.
“I believe this award has come about because of several of my undergraduate professors and graduate professors, because of the way they influenced me,” Woehl said. “I believe each of my (fellow students) are deserving of this award. They all – my colleagues and professors – have inspired me in so many ways and in my growth and development as a therapist and a person.”
He credits his undergraduate psychology professors with preparing him to succeed in the master’s program. In the master’s program, Woehl said he’s benefited from the small class sizes, knowledgeable faculty and hands-on experience working with clients.
The association also named Charles York, professor of marriage and family therapy, the 2007 Educator of the Year.
The award honors his excellence in teaching and outstanding commitment to his students. Student evaluations indicate he is a skilled and creative teacher, and students make particular note of his sense of humor, respectfulness and passion for the discipline.
“A lot of us have had the opportunity to watch him in the therapy room, and he makes the art of therapy really stand out,” Woehl said of York. “He’s like a master painter.”
York is not only able to incorporate the theories of therapy, but also adjust his approach to fit the needs of the client, Woehl explained. It’s a skill that takes years of practice.
York provided key leadership in developing PLU’s Marriage and Family Therapy program, and along with his colleague Cheryl Storm, he initiated and led the process to attain accreditation for it. Storm was the association’s 2006 Educator of the Year.
In addition, York co-authored a federal grant that established an on-campus clinic to serve individuals, couples and families, particularly the working poor and others ineligible for other community programs. He served frequently as the clinic’s director.
His other contributions to the marriage and family therapy field are numerous and varied. They include publishing six articles and providing clinical training to an array of social service and educational organizations, such as family practice residents at Madigan Army Medical Center, the Seattle Public Schools, campus ministries and community mental health centers.
To learn more about PLU’s master’s program in Marriage and Family Therapy, visit www.plu.edu/~mfth.