From Trauma to Triumph

by Julia Swain, Student Public Relations Writer – February 6, 2024

George Huff, professor of social work, was awarded the Evidence-Based Practice award by the Cedarville University School of Nursing. The award is based on Huff’s five decades of service in the social work profession.

George Huff, professor of social work, was awarded the Evidence-Based Practice award by the Cedarville University School of Nursing. The award is based on Huff’s five decades of service in the social work profession.    

Huff has devoted his professional career to social work, including 25 years assessing families of abuse and neglect, managing adoption, foster care, and volunteer services for Ohio Public Children Services. In addition to serving on the faculty at Cedarville University since 2000, he was an adjunct faculty member at Ashland University and North Central State College.  

“I want students to know that it is possible to be a Christian and practice social work in the public sector,” said Huff. “At Cedarville University, I can share my experiences and practices with students from a Christian worldview”. 

Huff was awarded for his work for the School of Nursing, where he has served junior nursing students for the past eight years in the Psych-Mental Health course. In this course, he has the opportunity to encourage nursing students to view their occupation from the patient's lens and to be sensitive to their needs.  

 

In addition, Huff’s testimony of how God has continually worked in his life despite challenging circumstances has also been a large encouragement to students.  

Huff suffered a near-fatal bicycle accident in 2014 that required months of healing and rehabilitation before he could return to the classroom.  

“The mental anguish Dr. Huff experienced as the result of his bicycle accident challenged him to consider how God could use his suffering and how his emotional challenges could encourage other social work and health care professionals,” said Dr. Becka Wagner, professor of nursing. 

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is a Baptist university with undergraduate programs in arts, sciences, and professional programs, and graduate programs. With an enrollment of 5,456 students in 175 areas of study, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio and is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, and high graduation and retention rates. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu