Pamela Dee Wold Graham MacDill

Pamela Dee Wold Graham MacDill, Hebrew name Zipora, began her remarkable life on November 4, 1955, in Cleveland, Ohio. She later moved to North Miami Beach with her parents, Rita and Alan (Al), and brother, Randy. There she completed her elementary and high school years and began her college education. While at Miami-Dade she excelled at her studies and sharpened her skills on the fencing team. For more than 25 years, Pamela (Pam) W. Graham MacDill served as a dedicated faculty member and administrator with the FSU College of Social Work before retiring in 2020. After a brief but fierce battle with lung cancer, she passed away in April of 2023. Her legacy at the College of Social Work included wearing many hats and serving the college and university community in a multitude of ways. “During that time, she touched the lives of her students and colleagues through her teaching, service, and friendship. She contributed to the growth and improvement of the College through her administrative work as director of field, assistant dean, MSW Program director, BSW Program director, and director of professional development,” said friend and colleague, Dr. Craig Stanley, interim dean of the college. She is especially remembered for her dedication to undergraduate students. Serving as BSW program director for twelve years, Pam significantly elevated the program. She also developed a Minor in Social Welfare in 2014 for all majors to provide an educational gateway for students to learn about the profession of social work. Pam also created and chaired the Child Welfare Practice and Leadership in Executive and Administrative Development certificate programs. In recognition of her work in child welfare, she was named the college’s Jeanene M. Janes Child Welfare Fellow, which is awarded to an FSU social work faculty member for their contributions to the field of child welfare. “Professor Graham’s contribution to child welfare practice, education and policy has truly made a difference in improving the lives of children and families,” said Dr. Nick Mazza, dean and professor emeritus, when Pam was awarded the fellowship in 2012. Her contributions expanded to the larger university through her instrumental work in helping to establish Unconquered Scholars, a program within the FSU Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, supporting students who have experienced foster care, homelessness, relative care or ward of the State status. Pam was a graduate of the FSU College of Social Work, earning her Master of Social Work degree in 1977. She began her social work career in Miami, Florida in the late 1970s with United Family and Children’s Services, Youth Outreach Limited and Dade County Schools. Her career in South Florida flourished, with Pam continuing her career in social worker as a pediatric nephrology social worker, as an adjunct professor for the University of Miami School of Medicine and as a supervisor of Maternal/Child/Surgical/Renal and Transplant Services as Jackson Memorial Hospital. In 1993, Pam received the prestigious “Unsung Hero” award from the National Youth Law Center for her work as a pediatric social worker advocating on behalf of drug-exposed infants. She moved to Colorado to pursue further opportunities in medical/psychiatric social work and in private practice before returning to Florida to take a position at FSU as a director of field instruction in 1995. During her 25-year career at Florida State, her hard work and dedication were recognized with numerous awards including a University Advising Award. She was also nominated several times for undergraduate and graduate teaching awards. Her work for youths further continued in the community as she served as a member of the Child Abuse Death Review Committee from 2008-2014, an appointment made by the Florida Surgeon General. She was a founding board member, president, and member of the Board of Directors for the Oasis Center for Women and Girls, donating her time and finances generously. Pam’s experience and wisdom were passed down through decades of mentoring students first in field internships and followed by more than two decades in the social work classroom. Her devotion to Unconquered Scholars was exemplified in her tireless efforts in fundraising and mentorship. “I want my students to become skilled observers, to ask intelligent questions, and to develop creative ways to address the challenges they face. I believe that this engagement in learning will serve them well as they proceed in their roles as professional social workers,” stated Pam about her role as an educator. “Our field is full of complex questions as we work with people from all walks of life, so preparing my students to be life-long explorers of information is a tool I believe will serve them well as they leave our program and venture into their professional roles.” Pam’s career is but a reflection of her personality and the woman she was. Her passion for people was evident in all of her close personal relationships. First and foremost, her beloved husband and soulmate, Leslie (Les). Though she waited years to meet him, once she did it was apparent that their 28 years together was an extraordinary love match filled with joy, adventure, respect, passion, and laughs. Many laughs. She had the ability to listen, understand and appreciate people from every walk of life. This, coupled with her boundless zest for life, resulted in her being “chosen family” for many of her friends and their children, who looked up to her as an “almost-aunt” and “FauxMa.” She made a conscious effort to participate in as many of their important life events as possible, traveling to locations all over the world. Throughout Pam’s life she brought enthusiasm and laughter to every activity, whether baking, sailing, hiking, fencing, going to amazing concerts, hanging out at the beach, DANCING until dawn, playing with her beloved rescue, Bella, or cheering wildly for the FSU Seminoles. Her teachings and examples of love, engagement with others, generosity, and life lessons will be carried on by those blessed enough to have been in her orbit, surrounded by her love. Pam is survived by her brother, Randy Wold, husband, Leslie MacDill, stepson, Austin MacDill, and doghter, BellaBoo MacDill. She is remembered fondly by countless colleagues, friends, and students. Pam MacDill lived every moment of her life by the axiom “Live, Love, Laugh, Give, Repeat.” Her husband asks that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the MacDill-Wold Unconquered Scholarship Fund. Donate Online: give.fsu.edu/macdillscholarship, or by Mail: FSU Foundation, MacDill Fund (F08977S), 325 W. College Ave., Tallahassee, FL 32308. The FSU College of Social Work is honoring Pam by celebrating her life at 3:00PM on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the University Center C in Miller Hall, with a reception immediately following in the President’s Box. Please RSVP at https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_515B76caqGM9ctE Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the MacDill family with their arrangements.

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Pamela Dee Wold Graham MacDill

November 4, 1956 - April 14, 2023