On February 13, 2023, Dr. Kari Fletcher, a cherished social work professor at the Morrison Family College of Health, gently passed away. Fletcher joined the University of St. Thomas faculty in 2010, after working as a clinical social worker for many years in the Twin Cities with service members, military families, and their kids. Fletcher, who earned his PhD from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts, was a dedicated teacher, a successful and well-respected researcher, and a beloved part of the school’s, college’s, and university communities.
Fletcher was a superb educator who helped and supported many graduate students in social work. She oversaw the initiatives for the MSW accreditation while serving as the program director for the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. Clinical social work practice necessitates constant learning, intellectual flexibility and curiosity, self-reflection, and empathy; Fletcher’s instruction was rich in all of these qualities. She intentionally cultivated relationships with her students and gave heartfelt instruction.
Fletcher was a prolific author who contributed to multiple books, papers, and chapters as well as giving presentations at conferences all over the world. She made significant contributions to the profession of social work with people who are active military members, their families, and communities. She has published on a wide range of perspectives and approaches within the broad issue of military social work, which served as the focus of her scholarly work (public health, clinical interventions and family interventions, to name a few). She wrote this poignant essay in 2015 as a reflection on her work as a military social worker.
Fletcher was steadfastly committed to collaborating with university-wide initiatives, programs, and departments focused on military work. She co-chaired the military track for social work educators internationally and was nationally recognized by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national professional educational body for social work. She was a renowned leader in the field of social work.
Fletcher played a crucial role in the St. Thomas neighborhood, the School of Social Work, and the College of Health. Fletcher was an approachable, kind, giving, hilarious, and genuine person who made sure everyone felt welcome. Everywhere she went, she created a sense of community and connection and was always the first to celebrate accomplishments, organize social events, or, at more trying times, provide a helping hand or listening ear. We will miss her greatly since she had a lasting impression on our St. Thomas and School of Social Work communities. We owe her for the kindness, love, and compassion she showed to her coworkers and pupils. Kari, rest in peace.
On Saturday, February 25, 2023, a visitation and interfaith service will be performed in Kari’s honor at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas on the St. Thomas campus in St. Paul. Service immediately follows visitation, which will take place from noon to one o’clock.
Donations to the St. Thomas School of Social Work or the Fight Colorectal Cancer Foundation can be made in place of flowers.