Mark Anthony Small, J. D., Ph. D received the honorary doctorate at a ceremonial session of the Academic Council of the South Bohemian University, held on Thursday 13th June 2019 at the Town Hall of České Budějovice.
Prof. Mark A. Small was active as a professor at the Southern Illinois University since 1990, then at the University of South Carolina as the director of Institute for Families in Society and since 1999 he works at the Institute on Family and Neighbourhood Life, in 2017 he became its director.
Within his scientific and pedagogical work, he became the author of 11 monographs or chapters in monographs and 51 articles in scientific journals. He absolved 31 international lectures as the “invited speaker”, 62 lectures at international symposiums in the USA a 52times he was an active member of conferences.
Prof. Mark Small is the Juris Doctor and Psychologist – this connection and his orientation on social sciences (especially social work) represent a multibranch range in the perception of social sciences. For branches, that build coordinated rehabilitation based on evidence-based" approach they represent key disciplines, that make the social work at the University of South Bohemia wider. The scientific, pedagogical and especially human approach has, within the last 17 years, significantly influenced the academical staff at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of USB. Mainly in the field of participation, protection of children rights and community social work.
The cooperation of Prof. Mark Small is very important and it has brought significant results. To be mentioned especially these:
The Faculty of Health and Social Sciences has become a key institution of Child Watch International, and in the year 2006, it has successfully credited the doctor program International Ph.D. Program in Family and Community Studies" and international program Graduate Certificate in International Family and Community Studies in 2008.
You can find more information about successful results of the cooperation and projects being prepared on the website of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.
To the ceremony:
The proposal of nominating Mark Anthon Small, J.D., Ph.D. to become the doctor honoris causa was read after the ceremonial entry of the representatives of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. The Rector of South Bohemian University Doc. Tomáš Machula awarded Prof. Mark A. Small the honorary doctorate. The ceremony was followed by his impressive speech and the musical performance of the vocal group „Dyškanti“ conducted by Doc. Martin Horyna, Ph.D. from the Pedagogical faculty of USB.
We asked:
How are you feeling after receiving the honorary degree?
Prof. Mark Small: „I am very happy, excited and honored. It is a real honor for me."
Did you enjoy the ceremony and historical music?
Prof. Mark Small: ,,The beauty of the Czech Republic is that it has such a history, traditions and rituals compared to America. It was an extraordinary experience for me to be a part of it."
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Since its founding in 1991, the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice has awarded more than 30 honorary doctorates. The South Bohemian University awards the scientific degrees doctor honoris causa (dr. h. c.) to significant Czech and international personalities, who have significantly influenced the development of science, culture, and humanity. Among the holders are important personalities from the Czech Republic and abroad. The award received in the past, for example, top specialists in the field of biology, ecology, literature, history, theology, and philosophy. T
The list of awarded honorary doctorates here.
