Campus News

Professor Gummer Mourned

(July 2, 2004)

School of Social Welfare Professor Emeritus Burt Gummer, 66, a nationally recognized scholar on social welfare administration, passed away June 30. Gummer, who retired in 2002 after 25 years of dedicated service as a faculty member, once chaired the undergraduate program and the management concentration.

Born in Pittsburgh, Pa., May 15, 1938, Gummer earned a bachelor�s degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1960, a master�s in social work from the University of Pennsylvania in 1965, and a doctoral degree from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania in 1973.

After starting his career as a social worker in Pennsylvania, Gummer taught at Smith College, Temple University, Lakehead University in Canada, and Washington University in St. Louis before joining the University at Albany faculty.

He was a member of and a volunteer for the National Association of Social Workers, as well as the Academy of Certified Social Workers.

Gummer was the author of many books, including The Politics of Social Administration (Prentice Hall, 1990). He also published numerous articles on social service organizations and administrative social work. His �Notes from the Management Literature� was a regular feature of Administration in Social Work, of which he was an associate editor.

He is survived by a daughter and two sons, and several grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on August 2, 2004, 3-5 p.m. at Alumni House on the UAlbany Campus. For more information about the memorial service, contact the School of Social Welfare at (518) 442-5320. Donations may be made to the United Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York, 800 New Loudon Road, Latham, N.Y., 12110.