University mourns professor emeritus Dennis Saleebey

LAWRENCE — Dennis Saleebey, professor emeritus from the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, died July 16. He had been a part of the KU community since he joined the faculty in 1987. He retired from the university in 2006.

“On behalf of the KU community, I send my condolences to the family of Dennis Saleebey,” said Chancellor Bernadette Gray-Little. “His legacy lives on at KU and the School of Social Welfare.”

Saleebey’s early work looked at oppression in female populations, the ability of adolescents to engineer and initiate change, empowerment for clients, and the construction of meaning and knowledge. These coalesced and fed his work as one of the creators of the Strengths Perspective — focusing on an individual’s strengths and available resources to solve a problem.

“In the School of Social Welfare, our thoughts and prayers are with Dennis’ family and those close to him,” said Tom McDonald, interim dean. 

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, at Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th St. A celebration of life will follow at 5:30 p.m. at the Cider Gallery, 810 Pennsylvania St.