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October 1, 2003

ULM Welcomes Endowed Chair in Gerontology

Dr. Bonnie Hatchett is a new visiting professor at the University of Louisiana at Monroe will fill the Joseph A. Biedenharn Chair in Gerontology for 2003-2004. Hatchett comes to ULM from the University of Texas at El Paso where she was associate professor and director of the Social Work Program. In her career, she has held positions in a variety of settings as a research associate, group counselor at a rape counseling center, clinical social worker, and substance abuse therapist.

Hatchett's responsibilities while at ULM this year will be to teach gerontology graduate level courses, visit college campuses around the state as an advocate for gerontology education at ULM and recruit new students to the program. She will also conduct informational seminars and workshops for social and health service providers, and initiate an oral history collection at ULM.

Hatchett has conducted research on self-development, attitudes of older adults about sexual assault, attitudes of college students and clergy regarding alcohol and alcohol use by older adults, patterns of alcohol abuse among elderly black Americans, and barriers to attainment-African American women in academia. Her specific research interests include HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and the impact of ethnicity, age, and gender on health care utilization. Hatchett has had over twenty articles published in journals such as the Journal of Gerontological Social Work, Journal of Family Social Work, Journal of Community Practice, Journal of Pastoral Care, Journal of Black Studies, Journal of Aging and Social Policy, and several other prestigious publications. Hatchett also has as exemplary record of presentations to professional association's health and social service providers, and community groups.

"We are very fortunate to have someone of Dr. Hatchett's caliber. Her interest in AIDS and substance abuse add a new dimension to our gerontology program," said Dr. Welch, head of the Gerontology Program. "The initiation of an oral history collection will enable faculty and students at ULM to capture a vital part of the rich heritage of Northeast Louisiana. We anticipate this collection will continue to be expanded through the leadership of Dr. Chris Johnson in our gerontology department and future gerontology students."

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