Anne Greenlaw

Anne Greenlaw, a senior student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, traded the prospect of a glamorous profession and a six-figure paycheck to help others.Her calling, a natural desire to make a difference in people's lives, is shaping up formally as she pursues her bachelor's degree in social work.November 24, 2002

Moody Mansion - Holidays on the HomefrontMoody Mansion Museum in collaboration with Galveston Independent School District, will present a special holiday display featuring the hand-made Christmas cards of Galveston school children.November 24, 2002

Anne Greenlaw, a senior student at the University of Houston-Clear Lake, traded the prospect of a glamorous profession and a six-figure paycheck to help others.

Her calling, a natural desire to make a difference in people's lives, is shaping up formally as she pursues her bachelor's degree in social work.

Even as an undergraduate, the return on Greenlaw's investment is already high.

One of the highlights of her short, yet intense, career came just two weeks ago while she was doing fieldwork at a hospice in Texas City.

Greenlaw had been counseling a woman about the imminent death of her husband.With the aid of a Spanish translator, the two women had gone over coping mechanisms and tried to minimize the pain.

Finally, it was time for the women to part ways.

"She watched me leave, held my hand, we hugged each other and then she told me, ‘We love you,'" Greenlaw said as she recalled that last session."She said it in an emotional way, and she said that in English.It was very powerful."

Greenlaw is not alone in her mission to help people who otherwise would have little or no hope.Some 30 more students have bought into the social work program at UHCL.

With just two years under its belt, the program has achieved candidacy status from the Council on Social Work Education, the national association that regulates the practice.That means the program is in good standing.Full accreditation is the next step.