Social work scholar, respected teacher and beloved mentor Matthew O. Howard died Saturday, Dec. 15, in southern Virginia, following a lengthy hospitalization. He had suffered a heart attack and several strokes in early September. He was 62 years old.
Howard earned two graduate degrees (PhD ’90, MSW ’87) from the UW School of Social Work along with an MS in psychology from Western Washington University.
“Matt was a bright and energetic student who developed a strong interest in the profession of social work after he arrived in 1984,” recalled Social Work Emeritus Professor Jim Whittaker, director of the School’s doctoral program from 1983 to 1990.“ He and another member of that cohort, Jeff Jenson, challenged us to find a pathway to the MSW program and both subsequently graduated with a PhD and MSW in what, I believe, was a first for us at the School of Social Work.”
At the time of his death, Howard was the Frank A. Daniels Distinguished Professor for Human Services Policy Information at the University of North Carolina’s School of Social Work. He joined UNC in 2007, where he also served as associate dean for doctoral education and associate dean for faculty development. Previously, he had spent three years as a professor of social work and a professor of psychiatry at the University of Michigan.
Howard was known nationally for his expertise in inhalant substance abuse and disorders, substance use among juvenile offenders, and alcohol dependence. His work earned him numerous awards and professional recognition, including being named fellow of the Society for Social Work and Research and fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Welfare.
In 2016, he was recognized as one of the country’s top 40 social work researchers whose contributions were having a major impact on social and health issues. In 2017, the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare elected him to its board of directors in recognition of his social work scholarship and leadership.
Howard had been editor-in-chief of the Journal of Addictive Diseases as well as the North American editor of the British Journal of Social Work. He has previously served as editor-in-chief of Social Work Research and the Journal of Social Services Research. A prolific writer, he was the author of more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, book reviews, editorials, government reports and abstracts. At the time of his death, he was serving on the editorial boards of nearly 30 journals.