Maurice Hamovitch

(1919-1998). Professor and Dean, USC School of Social Work. 

Interviewed by Frances Lomas Feldman. Date of interview: 8-17-90. 2 cassette tapes (2 duplicate tapes). Length of interview: 2 hours and 48 minutes. Transcript of interview: 51 pp. (1 copy of rough draft of transcript). CD containing interview and transcript. 

Interview Topics

Entrance into field of social work; time in Canadian army; early career at USC; modification of admission forms; creation of Los Amigos de Humanidad; research; community involvement; teaching; opinions of Arlien Johnson and other USC faculty members; role as dean; student unrest of 1960s and 1970s and his mediation as dean; community and university activities; impact of these activities on perceptions of social work and School of Social Work; development of Hamovitch Research Center. 

Additional Materials

  • California Social Work Hall of Distinction Biography
  • Maurice Hamovitch Commemorative Video Presentation.
  • "Maurice Hamovitch: 41 Years at USC." Videotape. 25 minutes. 3-28-90.
  • a. Material related to production of video and dinner held in his honor that served as basis of video. Also see no. 1. 
  • "Interview with Maurice Hamovitch, M.D." Videotape. 4-19-95.
  • "Memories, Dreams, Reflections, presented to Dr. Maurice Hamovitch, April 17, 1990."Videotape (2 copies).
  • 1 diskette of transcript of interview.
  • Curriculum Vitae.
  • Thesis Guide for University of Southern California School of Social Work. Revised September 1958. Prepared by Maurice Hamovitch.
  • Programs and reservations for, invitations to, and eulogies delivered at USC memorial service for Maurice Hamovitch.
  • 2 photocopies of title page of Maurice Hamovitch's University of Chicago dissertation (1951).
  • List of important developments in USC School of Social Work during Hamovitch era.
  • Flyer announcing party in honor of Maurice Hamovitch's promotion to full professor.
  • Los Angeles Times obituary of Maurice Hamovitch.
  • Thank you letter (4-17-90) for retirement party from Maurice Hamovitch to faculty and students of USC School of Social Work.
  • Letter soliciting funds for new Hamovitch Social Work Research Center.
  • Los Amigos de la Humanidad invitation to reception honoring Maurice Hamovitch on his retirement as Dean of School of Social Work.
  • Newspaper articles on Hamovitch and his accomplishments.

Download the transcript: 
» Transcript