Earlier this month, Stephen Webster (MA ’73), was awarded the 2025 Alumni of Distinction Award for outstanding service throughout his career and his contributions to the La Follette School. Since earning joint master’s degrees from Public Policy and Administration and the School of Social Work in 1973, Webster has demonstrated a profound dedication to advancing social justice and disaster resilience, leaving an enduring impact on both local and global scales. He has worked to make a difference for the health and wellbeing of people and communities through many different roles from disaster response and recovery to promoting human services in rural areas and improving the quality of life in communities around Wisconsin.
Webster’s work in disaster management began in Wisconsin when he was appointed to coordinate the recovery of Barneveld, Wisconsin following an F5 tornado, and expanded globally through founding roles in several groundbreaking initiatives where he played a key role in designing and facilitating disaster recovery and capacity-building programs. His innovative approaches to land use, economic development, housing, and community betterment showcased the potential of government stimulus and public-private partnerships, drawing national praise for his leadership.
Over the course of his career, Webster has worked on every continent but Antarctica, with a focus on the emerging republics of the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. His clients have included several organs of the U.N. including its Development Programme and its Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, International Red Cross/Red Crescent, the Swedish and U.S. governments, and intergovernmental organizations like the International Organization for Migration.
He has created and led organizations in Wisconsin dealing with philanthropy, health and social services, community-based economic development, employment for individuals with disabilities and more. Webster served his community as Executive Director of the United Way of Wisconsin for 25 years, and established a nonprofit organization, Employment Resources Inc., which reduces barriers to employment.
One of the organizations Webster founded, the National Rural Social Work Caucus, provided the platform for advocating and supporting schools of social work to develop curricula addressing rural community needs and preparing professionals to work there. Webster also created the first conference on social work in rural areas, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.
Today, Webster’s activism continues through service on two boards, chairing Long Range Planning for City Parks, publishing a disability rights children’s book about a blind cat, and producing a documentary on the Rural Caucus and influencing higher education.
The Alumni of Distinction award was presented to Webster at the school’s April 1 alumni and friends reception by Molly Collins Offner, supporter of the La Follette School’s Paul Offner Lecture Series. Webster is the fourth recipient of the annual award.