1998 Distinguished Alumni Award
Proudly Presenting Shirley Keith
“I got old, grew a backbone and a sense of humor…”
Retired Licensed Clinical Social Worker
1970 WPU Graduate
While a student at Warner, Shirley Keith participated in a number of activities and programs including Choir, Yearbook, Student Government, Spiritual Life Committee, and College Activities Board. She received her Licensed Clinical Social Worker degree in 1990 and since then, her career has included working with adolescent girls in treatment facilities, Adjunct Professor of Social Work at Fresno Pacific University for 15 years, and working with adults experiencing mental health issues and alcohol and/or drug addiction that required concurrent treatment for Fresno County Behavioral Health.
Shirley retired in 2016 but continues to work part-time as a Hearing Officer in the Merced Behavioral Health Hospital Unit. She lives in Clovis, California and attends the First Church of God in Fresno, California. Most of her family lives in the Fresno area and she is delighted to be able to see them all again after several family members contracted COVID and were quarantined.
As a result of her work with adolescents and suicidal adults, she is currently writing a book about a living hope and where it comes from. As Shirley says, “No surprise, it comes from Him but so few are aware of His love when they get into the despair that can’t be medicated.” Shirley jokingly noted that at her current rate of speed the book should be published sometime in the next millennium.
Shirley has fond memories of Warner, the professors and the friends she made as well as the education she received. She continues to travel with a half dozen of her Warner Pacific Soul Sisters whenever she is able.