Baylor prof named the most influential social worker alive today

If you’re among the countless students who have benefitted from Dr. Preston Dyer’s teaching at Baylor over the past 45 years, you’re likely not surprised to hear that a recent ranking of the most influential social workers alive put Dyer at No. 1.

Dyer, now a Professor Emeritus in the Baylor School of Social Work, has been called “one of the most familiar faces in the social work arena of academia.” Within the field, Dyer is primarily known for his research on strong marriage and families, on which he has written more than 100 publications. He and his wife, Genie, BA ’59, were even presidents of the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment.

[READ what your fellow Bears had to say about Dr. Dyer on Facebook]

Dyer, BA ’60, worked as a clinical social worker for mental health before returning to Baylor in 1969. He served as director of the undergraduate social work program for 30 years and then was the founding chair of Baylor’s School of Social Work from 1998-2001, when he decided to return to full-time teaching; he retired from that position in 2008.

Sic ’em, Dr. Dyer!