Dr. Barry Locke, a longtime West Virginia University social work professor known for his advocacy across the Mountain State, has received a prestigious national award for that effort.

The National Rural Social Work Caucus presented Locke with its Lifetime Achievement Award during a recent national gathering in Montgomery, Ala., of its Institute of Social Work and Human Services.

Social workers, scholars and academics from across the country make up the caucus which looks at how well the human services are delivered to people living in rural places.

It is always humbling to be honored by ones peers for engaging in work that truly is a labor of love,Locke said.

Locke, who also works with WVU s Welfare Reform Research Task Force, spent several years as a social work professional in north-central West Virginia before joining the University in 1973.

Hes an associate professor in the Division of Social Work in the School of Applied Social Sciences. The school is located in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

Locke, though, operates well beyond the classrooms four walls. His research with the welfare task force has been passed along to West Virginias Department of Health and Human Services, along with the Institute of Social Work and Human Services.

He has co-authored two textbooks on poverty and social work practices in rural areas, and has also penned several scholarly articles and chapters in other books and publications in the field.

Over the years, he has presented some 85 papers at state, regional, national and international meetings.

He holds a seat on the National Rural Social Work Caucus and is also a ranking member of the West Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers; the West Virginia Human Resources Association; the Family Service Association for Harrison and Marion Counties; and In Touch and Concerned, an adult protection program in the region.

He holds degrees from WVU , Fairmont State College and Virginia Commonwealth University.