June 17, 2008
Sarah Short Austin-Crosthwaite
Fisk University, B.A. '54
School of Applied Social Sciences, '62
Birthplace: Alberta, Virginia
Current home: Earlysville, Virginia
Deciding to attend Fisk University was an easy first choice for Sarah Short Austin-Crosthwaite. Its stellar reputation, high academic standards, and its famed music program were all important factors.
Though music was her primary focus, as an undergraduate, she found the time to participate in different campus activities. She was elected to the student council, served as president of the Women's Senate, and was a member of the University Choir and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Her academic achievements and campus activities led her to be named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.
After Fisk, she worked for several years for the YWCA and music soon took a back seat to social activism. A friend's recommendation, coupled with a scholarship and her own desire to make a difference, led her to enroll in the School of Applied Social Sciences at Western Reserve University in Cleveland to pursue a master's degree in social work.
The social work school, known for its group social work, field placements, and nationally recognized faculty, proved a good fit for Mrs. Austin-Crosthwaite. One of her assignments was to counsel and mentor young single mothers in Cleveland's harsh Hough neighborhood. Her work with these individuals attracted both local and national recognition.
Throughout her professional career, she has held senior-level positions in the public and private sectors. She served as corporate director for McDonnell Douglas Corp., in St. Louis; was director of community relations for General Dynamics, Corp., in St. Louis; was founding director of the Greater Cleveland Roundtable in Cleveland; and held the Albert Levin Chair at Cleveland State University. Mrs. Austin-Crosthwaite also was the executive vice president of the National Urban Coalition in Washington, D.C. In addition, she served as special assistant to the Hon. Elliot Richardson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare.
She has the unique distinction of serving on the board of trustees of all of her alma maters. She served for 33 years at Case Western Reserve, where she is currently trustee emerita. She is a former trustee of Fisk and of St. Paul's College, the home campus of St. Paul's High School where she attended. She also is a founding trustee and former vice chair of the Morehouse School of Medicine.
Although retired, she consults on projects and with organizations of interest to her. She is married to Dr. Harold J. Crosthwaite who also attended Fisk.
She attributes her success to her parents, who also inspired her. "They strongly believed in the value of obtaining an education."
Austin-Crosthwaite honored with Grace Longwell Coyle Award at Commencement
Sarah Short Austin-Crosthwaite was the 2008 keynote speaker for the diploma ceremony held on May 18 at the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences—where she received her master's in social work. The school also presented her with its Grace Longwell Coyle Award for significant contributions to the social work profession and for her longtime support of the Mandel School. Sarah also was a former student of Coyle, a preeminent social work educator. Sarah served on the Case Western Reserve board of trustees for 33 years and is also a former Fisk trustee.
Posted by: Heidi Cool June 17, 2008 03:36 PM
Category: Alumni
, Legacy
, Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences