Fellows

In Memoriam

Rino J. Patti, DSW

Inducted in 2010

Bio

Rino J. Patti, former member of the UW School of Social Work faculty who inspired a generation of social workers, died recently (2021). During 21-year tenure at the School between 1967 and 1988, Patti focused on organization, management and policy development in the human services. We invite you to read more about Dr. Patti’s life here.

Rino J. Patti graduated from San Diego State University with honors in 1958 and received his Masters and Doctor of Social Work degrees from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1960 and 1967, respectively. He was on the faculty at the University of Washington (UW) for 20 years where his teaching and research focused on organization, management, and policy development in the human services.

Dr. Patti was dean at the USC School of Social Work (1988-1997) and then the Driscoll-Clevenger Professor of Social Policy and Administration until his retirement (2001). He served for ten years as the editor of Administration in Social Work. As president of the National Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work (1991-1993), and as co-chair of the NIMH Mental Health Implementation Committee, Patti worked with national social work organizations to implement recommendations for strengthening research in social work. He also was the first board president of the Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research (IASWR) (1993-1995).

Professor Patti’s research and scholarship includes 48 peer reviewed articles and chapters, five authored or edited books, and numerous research monographs. Among his major awards are: the NASW Presidential Award for the Advancement of Research (1996); the Career Achievement Award from the Association for Community Organization and Administration (2003); and the University Career Achievement Award from the University of Southern California, (2006).