As a child, two things were clear to Dona Diftler. She wanted to be a counselor, to make a difference in people’s lives. And she enjoyed giving gifts more than she liked receiving them. “One of the things I learned from my family was the importance of giving – to be there for others who were struggling,” Dona said. “We were raised to have compassion and empathy for all people.”
It took some time to find her path. She completed a Master’s degree in Education with a specialty in therapeutic recreation. Later, she worked at UT in Alumni and Development and enjoyed traveling across the country to visit with graduates and hear their stories. “But back on campus, I would walk past Henson Hall and feel this pull to social work,” Dona recalled. “After a while, I couldn’t ignore it. It was meant to be.”
She enrolled in the Master’s program and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 1994. She has been in private practice for nearly 20 years. Dona has remained involved with the College of Social Work as a long-time member of the Board of Visitors.
Last year, Dona and her brother Bob made the decision to include the College in their estate plans. “During my time in the Master’s program, I began to understand how social work expands the development of human potential. Since graduating, it has been profoundly rewarding to assist my clients in achieving their goals, both for personal development and contributing to society. Being a social worker means standing up for human rights and social justice, “ Dona said. “Social work gives back to the community. Social workers are in every walk of life, offering assistance and support, as well as respect for each individual’s path.”
Bob Diftler, also a UT alumnus, has come to a greater understanding of social work through his sister’s career. “We live in a challenging, complicated world, and people need guidance and help,” he said. His years as a sales manager for major companies underlined that need, Bob notes. Problems of everyday living often spill into the workplace. “If the companies I worked for had in-house social workers, I would have sent half my sales team to them,” he said.
The endowment created by the Diftlers’ estate gifts will establish new graduate scholarships and provide support for the Veterinary Social Work Program, a special interest of Dona’s. The gift will also create an unrestricted fund for the Dean’s priorities. “I can’t think of a better gift than to offer students the opportunity I had: to fulfill their vision of contributing to the community,” Dona said.