Baylor Family Mourns Passing of Diana Garland
Founding Dean of the School of Social Work, Diana Garland, died Sept. 21. Garland is survived by her husband, David; daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Matthew; son, John, and his wife, Abby; three granddaughters,
Aurora Grace, Azalea Faith and Tess Moran; and grandson, Matthew Edward.
“Baylor University has lost a cherished, fiercely dedicated and visionary servant leader in Dr. Diana Garland, the inaugural dean of the School of Social Work, which now bears her name,” said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr. “Dean Garland prayerfully and powerfully guided the school in its growth from the very beginning as a fledgling department to its standing today as an independent, nationally recognized school known for research excellence and unwavering Christian commitment.”
During Garland’s tenure as dean, the School of Social Work rose to national prominence, and the faculty grew from five full-time professors and lecturers to a full-time faculty of 20. Graduate student enrollment in the program increased and undergraduate enrollment grew to 120 students.
Garland also raised more than $7.4 million in research and program grants, and the School of Social Work established an endowment of $14.5 million. She oversaw the school’s move in December 2010 from the Speight Avenue Parking complex to renovated space in downtown Waco, which allowed the school to triple its teaching and lab space.
“Diana is known throughout the profession as the image of the integration of faith and practice. We use that phrase to describe our school, as what we want our students to learn, and it is the essence of Diana Garland,” said Dr. Jon E. Singletary, interim dean and holder of The Diana R. Garland Endowed Chair of Child and Family Studies. “Her social work teaching, research, writing and leadership were all expressions of her faith.”