VCU news

By Geoff LoCicero
VCU School of Social Work

Spring commencement for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Social Work had a distinctly Summer feel to it in 2022.

Among the nearly 300 graduates who received degrees on May 13 at the Stuart C. Siegel Center, two stood out in the list of graduates: Summer Jones and … Summer Jones. That was not a typo.

Summer Caroline Jones earned her Master of Social Work degree, while Summer Dawn Jones earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree. The two are not related, and did not know – or know of – each other until earlier this semester.

“I was pleasantly surprised and thought it was just a cool occurrence,” Summer D. Jones said. “I have met a handful of other Summers before, and Jones is a very common name. However, I have never met another Summer Jones before.”

“I was so shocked,” Summer C. Jones said. “There were actually two other Summers in my tiny undergraduate school as well, but I’ve definitely never met another Summer Jones.”

Keeping up with the Joneses:

Hometown

Summer C. Jones: Charlottesville, Virginia; B.A. in anthropology, Grinnell (Iowa) College

Summer D. Jones: Emporia, Virginia

Why VCU social work?

“I knew I wanted to be a trauma therapist, and so many of the clinicians I know from the area went to VCU, so it was an easy choice! And social work because I really resonate with the systemic approach to mental health.” – Summer C. Jones

“I actually did not come to VCU as a social work student. I started off pre-nursing and a series of unfortunate events led to me switching my major around October of my freshman year. When I was sitting down to consider my options, I decided to reach out to a high school friend at James Madison University who I knew was majoring in social work. She had nothing but great things to say about social work, and that led me to look into the program at VCU. After seeing nothing but good things about VCU’s program, I decided to take the plunge and change my major. Although I was a bit apprehensive at first, that decision has been the best change in my college career and will have heavy influences on the rest of my life.” – Summer D. Jones

What’s next?

“I’m staying in Richmond, but haven’t started actively applying to jobs yet. I’m hoping to work in adoption or developmental trauma in a clinical setting.” – Summer C. Jones

“I am taking the summer to do a bit of traveling and work. I will be working at the commonwealth’s attorney’s office in Emporia for the rest of the summer. In the fall, I will start the online advanced standing M.S.W. format in the clinical specialization route here at VCU. I have already received my placement, which is Jackson-Feild homes, and look forward to working in a group home setting with adolescents and young adults.” – Summer D. Jones

The last word

“Shoutout to everyone I’m graduating with – it has been so hard doing this program during COVID. I’m really proud of us, and I’m so grateful to have them as friends and colleagues.” – Summer C. Jones

“I would just like to thank all my professors I have had over the years in addition to my wonderful field instructor, Dana Regusters. My professors have been some of the most helpful, understanding, caring and supportive people I have met while at VCU. And Dana has definitely helped me through some of my toughest moments in [the] field. Without them and the support of my closest friends and family, I would definitely not be where I am today!” – Summer D. Jones

This article was originally published on the VCU School of Social Works’ blog at https://blogs.vcu.edu/social-work/2022/05/13/it-takes-two-summer-jones-is-the-name-to-know-for-social-work-commencement/