Biography

Since coming to Juniata in 1974, Professor Reilly has gone beyond the books of social work, practicing what he teaches both on and off campus. With a B.A. from Susquehanna University and an M.S.W. from Marywood College School of Social Work, has taught courses in social work practice, social problems, social policy, social deviance and criminology, American families, basic sociology and advanced seminars in social work. He also spearhead with his colleague, Cy de Vries, the African American Oral History Project that seeks to document the undergraduate experiences of African American students who have attended Juniata. Professor Reilly is a Licensed Social Worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers. He also serves as the Field Coordinator of the Social Work Program.

On campus he has been a faculty representative to the Board of Trustees and numerous other campus committees and a faculty advisor to several student groups, including Phi Alpha, the social work honorary society.

Off campus he has served as an active community leader and board member with the local school district, Huntingdon House, Huntingdon County Children's Services, Head Start and Human Services Council, and the Tri-County Community Action Agency. Currently he serves on the board and is a construction volunteer of the Huntingdon Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He has been a consultant, administrator, organizer, and instructor for numerous social service concerns and is a member of a various professional associations.

Professor Reilly has been recognized for his work both on and off campus, receiving the Beachley Distinguished Professor Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1991, the Huntingdon House Service Award in 1987, and the Head Start Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 1986. In 2004 he was honored as a Vagina Warrior for his work with nonviolence toward women and families. He was named Charles A. Dana Professor of Social Work and Sociology in September 2004.

He has been married to Linda, his best friend, for more than half his life. Together they have raised two terrific progeny: Katey, a Juniata grad, and Maggie, who completed her BA at Lewis and Clark College. Bob enjoys gardening, cooking of all ilks, most all kinds of music, playing the guitar, sporting with most any game that involves a racquet, and collecting dust when has nothing else to do. He tries to live by the advice of Robert Hunter who told him that "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places, if you look at it right."