John Orme and Terri Combs-Orme met on the first day of their PhD studies when a professor failed to show up for class. Having a free hour, they agreed to go to a coffee shop and discovered that they shared many of the same values and beliefs. The two established a comfortable relationship that grew from being study team-mates to lifelong partners. Together they completed doctoral work, moved on to a fellowship in Chicago, teaching opportunities in Louisiana, in Maryland, and then, for the last 26 years, in Tennessee at the UT College of Social Work.
Saturday, John and Terri attended what they estimate to be their fortieth commencement as faculty members. This year, they were beckoned to the podium by Interim Dean David Dupper. He said, “I am very pleased to announce that both John and Terri have earned the rank of Professor Emeritus and Professor Emerita upon their retirement. This is a significant achievement, and on behalf of the College and the University, we express our sincere gratitude for your 26 years of service. You will be missed!”
Both of these well-respected professors love teaching and mentoring students and it is the students and their colleagues that they will miss as they move to a new phase of their lives. John stated, “The College of Social Work is full of incredible people. We enjoy meeting people who do good things on a day-to-day basis and we will miss that.”
Across the university Terri and John are known for their skills in mentoring students and young faculty. “We have learned,” agreed Terri and John, “that in order to mentor someone you need to realize that it is not about you, it is about them. Spend time talking about their careers, their research interests, sharing what it is like to enter a new job or a new classroom. Mentoring is helping others do what they want to do. You aren’t building your own reputation; you are helping them build theirs.”
When asked what has given them the most satisfaction throughout their careers, Terri was quick to say, “Every fall when a class gathered to begin the study of neuroscience, students would call me or come to my office expressing fears that they would fail. ‘I’m not good at science,’ they would say. Then about three weeks into the course I would see these same students write amazing papers and show great success. That is very satisfying.”
“I enjoyed the same thing with my statistics course,” explains John. “People began with much fear and hesitance, and would end with understanding and confidence. Another thing that has brought me great satisfaction is working on the dissertation committees of my students. During my years on faculty, I have served on 80 different dissertation committees. I enjoy meeting weekly with the students, encouraging them in their lives and as they plan their careers.”
Both of these professors have received high academic honors throughout their careers. In October of 2011, The Urban Child Institute made an endowed gift to the College which resulted in the College establishing The Urban Child Institute Endowed Professor in Neuroscience. Dr. Combs-Orme was named the first recipient of this endowed professorship. In 2013, she received the Council of Social Work Education’s “Distinguished Mentor” Award, and in 2014, Dr. Combs-Orme received the “Lifetime Achievement” Award from the National Association of Social Workers, Tennessee Chapter.
Dr. John Orme is a Fellow and Charter Member of the Society of Social Work and Research and a Fellow of the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare. His area of expertise includes foster care with an emphasis on foster families, the development and testing of measures for social work practice and research, applied statistics, and outcome-informed evidence-based practice.
In conversation, Terri and John fall into smiling argument. John insists that Terri is smarter. Terri claims that John is the one who takes the honors. Then they both agree that as they move into retirement, their students are the ones who will carry on the important endeavors of social work in the field, in the classroom, and in research.
Reflecting on the future, John looks forward to volunteering for Remote Area Medical and Terri for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital where she will cuddle babies who are drug-exposed. They foresee enjoying every day, playing music, and traveling to visit their son in Montreal, Canada. Terri quotes the lyrics of a James Taylor song, “The secret of life is enjoying the passage of time.” John simply says, “We are grateful.”