Brenda Van Dunk, 61, assistant professor of social work at ACU, died May 20 after battling cancer for several years.Van Dunk, born in Hackensack, N.J., on Feb. 27, 1946, received her bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University in 1971 and her master’s in social work from Syracuse University in 1976.
She joined the ACU faculty in fall 1990 after establishing and directing the Davis House/Youth Consultation Service, an innovative treatment center for psychiatrically diagnosed children.
"Brenda was very dedicated to social work education," said Susan Clark, associate professor of social work. "She integrated her Christian faith into teaching, and in turn helped her students integrate their own Christian faith. She wanted her students to realize that social work was part of their work in the Kingdom."
Van Dunk was also very involved in the Abilene community and worked with programs such as the Abilene Family Self-Sufficiency Program and West Texas Women on the Move.
Van Dunk was a member of several social work organizations including the National Association of Social Workers, the Academy of Certified Social Workers, the North American Council of Christian Social Workers, the Council on Social Work Education and the National Association of Black Social Work Educators.
Visitation will be held May 22 at The Hamil Family Funeral Home at 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. in Abilene from 6:30 -7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be May 23 at New Light Baptist Church, 518 N. 6th St. in Abilene, at 11 a.m.
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