Betty Synar

I had the privilege of serving on the Smith College School for Social Work's Alumni Executive Committee with Betty, and greatly admired her. She had an extraordinary commitment to the whole profession of social work and in particular to Smith's program. Her energy, leadership, and spirit were inspirational.

Betty Jean Synar helped so many children and teens over her professional lifetime. She never forgot any of them and was often available to them long after they had completed their treatment with her. She spread a lot of love not only in Dallas but also among her professional colleagus all over the U.S.A. I feel privileged to have been one of them.

Betty was role modal for all social workers - professional, curious, rigorous, and compassionate. I will miss her leadership and her passionate voice for Smith and clinical social work.

I am grateful to have known Betty Jean. She was a mentor to me in several ways. When I became discouraged with the progress of my dissertation, she reminded me that I had only to persist. When I was wet behind the ears as Chair for the Smith SSW Annual Fund, she inspired the reluctant fundraiser in me. She never failed to look me up when we were at a professional meeting and our paths had not crossed. I will miss her and hold dear the many ways she helped me to be a better person and and...

The Smith 1918 Scholarship Committee will not be the same without Betty's leadership and enthusiasm. After all these years, I will certainly miss hearing her voice on our conference calls.

Betty was a stalwart supporter of the Smith College School for Social Work and a highly skilled educator who supervised and developed clinical training programs for generations of MSW students. Her insitutional leadership, and her devotion to psychodynamic practice will be sorely missed. She will be lovingly remembered both at Smith and in the larger social work community.

Gerald Schamess, Professor Emeritus, Smith College School for Social Work.

I knew Betty when I worked for the Dallas Juvenile Department and later at UTA. She was a special social worker and I know so many will miss her.

Betty was a very active Social Worker and was on the board of the International Conference for the Advanced Professional Practice of Clinical Social Work (ICAPP). She was known world-wide and her Social Work contributions will be missed.

I join the many social workers in Dallas who benefited from Betty's guidance and service through the years at The Dallas Child Guidance Clinic,in offering thanks for her life and her legacy of unending dedication.