DOI: 10.25549/cswa-c34-117
title: Maurice Hamovitch interview, 1990

description: Hamovitch, Maurice - Audio Oral History Interview - CSWA ❧ Interviewed by Frances Feldman on August 17, 1990. An interview with Maurice Hamovitch as he discusses his entrance into the field of social work; time in Canadian army; early career at USC; modification of admission forms; creation of Los Amigos de Humanidad; research community involvement; teaching; opinions of Arlien Johnson and other faculty members; role as dean; student unrest of 1960s and 1970s and his meditation as dean; community and university activities; impact of these activities on perceptions of social work and School of Social Work; development of Hamovitch Research Center. ❧ Maurice B. Hamovitch was with the USC School of Social Work from 1946, and served as Dean from 1959 to 1982. Canadian by birth, he had entered the field of research in medical social work while still in the Canadian Army, then after doctoral study at the University of Chicago, he came to USC with dual interests in research and the health field. He was active in both, engaged in a variety of well-received research projects, at first with terminally ill children, then with the elderly. He was innovative as dean and served in the period of high unrest and student challenges, working with students and faculty in a way that protected the School of Social Work from the strikes and other manifestations of anger that characterized student-administration relations elsewhere. He was active in community services as well as University affairs, worked with the National Institutes of Mental Health, the Council on Social Work Education, and other prestigious organizations. The Rita and Maurice Hamovitch Research Center was established at USC in recognition of his contributions to social work education, research, and the community. ❧ Maurice Hamovitch (1919-1998). Professor and Dean, USC School of Social Work. Interviewed by Frances Lomas Feldman. Date of interview: 8-17-90. 2 cassette tapes (2 duplicate tapes). Length of interview: 2 hours and 48 minutes. Transcript of interview: 51 pp. (1 copy of rough draft of transcript). CD containing interview and transcript. ❧ INTERVIEW TOPICS: Entrance into field of social work; time in Canadian army; early career at USC; modification of admission forms; creation of Los Amigos de Humanidad; research; community involvement; teaching; opinions of Arlien Johnson and other USC faculty members; role as dean; student unrest of 1960s and 1970s and his mediation as dean; community and university activities; impact of these activities on perceptions of social work and School of Social Work; development of Hamovitch Research Center. ❧ ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: 1. California Social Work Hall of Distinction Biography ( https://socialworkhallofdistinction.usc.edu/honorees/ ). 2. Maurice Hamovitch Commemorative Video Presentation. 3. "Maurice Hamovitch: 41 Years at USC." Videotape. 25 minutes. 3-28-90. a. Material related to production of video and dinner held in his honor that served as basis of video. Also see no. 1. 4. "Interview with Maurice Hamovitch, M.D." Videotape. 4-19-95. 5. "Memories, Dreams, Reflections, presented to Dr. Maurice Hamovitch, April 17, 1990."Videotape (2 copies). 6. 1 diskette of transcript of interview. 7. Curriculum Vitae. 8. Thesis Guide for University of Southern California School of Social Work. Revised September 1958. Prepared by Maurice Hamovitch. 9. Programs and reservations for, invitations to, and eulogies delivered at USC memorial service for Maurice Hamovitch. 10. 2 photocopies of title page of Maurice Hamovitch's University of Chicago dissertation (1951). 11. List of important developments in USC School of Social Work during Hamovitch era. 12. Flyer announcing party in honor of Maurice Hamovitch's promotion to full professor. 13. Los Angeles Times obituary of Maurice Hamovitch. 14. Thank you letter (4-17-90) for retirement party from Maurice Hamovitch to faculty and students of USC School of Social Work. 15. Letter soliciting funds for new Hamovitch Social Work Research Center. 16. Los Amigos de la Humanidad invitation to reception honoring Maurice Hamovitch on his retirement as Dean of School of Social Work. 17. Newspaper articles re Hamovitch and his accomplishments.