100th Anniversary of Social Work Education Inspires Alumna to Give—Again!

Monika Petter, M.S.W. 1996

The Catholic University of America’s St. Thomas Aquinas Society is proud to recognize Monika Petter, M.S.W. 1996, for the second time! Inspired by the 100th anniversary of The National Catholic School of Social Service, Monika Petter has increased her bequest to an estimated $300,000.

In honor of her school's commemorative anniversary and her lifetime commitment to helping veterans, The Monika Petter Endowed Scholarship will benefit students seeking a career in military social work. Through her generosity, students will learn advanced clinical practice in their advanced-year field internship, which can take place in hospitals, medical clinics, home health agencies, hospices, or other settings where the mission includes caring for people with acute or chronic illness.

Monika spent the first decade of her life in war-torn Vienna. When she was 12 years old, she became an American citizen and joined her father in St. Petersburg, Florida. As a young adult, Monika worked in the film and fashion industries, living and studying in Vienna, Lausanne, Switzerland, and Madrid. Fluent in English, German, Spanish, and French, Monika worked in marketing and as a translator/interpreter. In addition to her master's in social work from Catholic University, Monika earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland and another master's degree from Ball State University. In 1979, she began her career as a psychologist and clinical social worker at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in D.C. She also worked for the Salvation Army and the Prevention of Blindness Society.

Monika is a donor and advocate for the National Symphony Orchestra, Washington Ballet, Washington International Piano Arts Council, Kreeger Museum, and the Washington International Club. In 2015 Monika hosted a reception at The University Club of Washington, D.C., for Catholic University alumni, donors, and friends to view the recently installed University's shield—still on display at the Club.

We thank Monika for her unwavering support of Catholic University's mission and social work education.

If you would like to leave a lasting legacy like Monika, simply reach out to Isabel de la Puente at 202-319-6914 or delapuente@cua.edu to discuss your planned giving options.