When Carroll College began exploring what graduate program should come next, the question was never just about expansion. Leaders looked for a program that met student demand, served a pressing community need, aligned with regional workforce shortages, and fit Carroll’s mission of service, dignity, and social justice. The Master of Social Work program emerged as the clear answer, and since its launch in 2021, it has grown into a thriving program with measurable impact across Montana and beyond.
That success is due in large part to the philanthropy and early belief of benefactor Terry Payne of PayneWest Insurance, whose support made it possible to launch the program with strength and intention and whose continued generosity remains central to its growth today.
Now, a new gift from J.F. Scherer is ensuring Terry’s legacy will continue to shape the program for generations.
The Terry Payne Endowed Professorship for Social Work
Carroll College is grateful to announce that J.F. Scherer has established a $100,000 endowed professorship in Social Work in honor of Terry Payne. The Terry Payne Endowed Professorship for Social Work will provide long-term support for faculty excellence, strengthening the MSW program’s ability to prepare skilled, compassionate social workers and meet the evolving needs of communities.
“Anyone who knows Terry knows how deeply he cares about people and community,” shared J.F. Scherer, who retired as Executive Vice President of Cincinnati Insurance Company. “He has given generously of himself throughout his life, and the MSW program is something he has cared deeply about. Establishing this endowment is a way to honor that commitment and the example he has set. If others have been influenced by Terry’s example as I have, I hope they will consider joining in supporting this endowment in his name.”
J.F.’s goal is not only to recognize Terry’s extraordinary support of Carroll’s MSW program, but also to honor Terry’s lifelong commitment to service and community, and invite others to contribute to the endowment as a way to honor Terry and invest in the future of social work education.
The Evolution of Carroll’s Master of Social Work Program
From the beginning, Carroll’s MSW program was rooted in demand. Nationally, social work is a fast-growing field, and leaders across Montana have consistently emphasized the urgent need for behavioral health and clinically trained professionals. In the program’s earliest planning, healthcare leaders and community partners voiced strong support, noting the growing need for professionals equipped to serve individuals, families, and communities in crisis.
The MSW program also aligned naturally with Carroll’s mission and Catholic social teaching, which emphasize inclusivity, service to others, and a commitment to the dignity and worth of every person, especially those who are marginalized. Social work’s professional values mirror these commitments through work focused on alleviating suffering, reducing poverty, and advancing fairness and opportunity.
As the lead donor supporting the creation of Carroll’s MSW program, Terry Payne’s philanthropy was instrumental from the outset. His generosity helped transform a mission-driven concept into a sustainable program. When the program was first announced, Terry spoke to the need and opportunity to prepare future professionals equipped to address Montana’s mental health and broader healthcare challenges. That early belief helped Carroll take the steps required to build credibility, ensure quality, and grow responsibly, including the demanding accreditation process. In March 2024, the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) granted Carroll’s MSW program initial accreditation, valid for eight years and retroactive to 2021. The program achieved this milestone without needing a progress report or findings, a significant accomplishment in a rigorous review process that reflects strong preparation, resources, and program design.
Momentum and Outcomes in 2026
The MSW program continues to grow steadily and sustainably. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Carroll enrolled 41 MSW students, a sign of strong ongoing demand and an increasing awareness of the program’s quality.
An important milestone was recently reached when the program’s first cohort of graduates became eligible for licensure. To date, six graduates have taken the licensure exam, and all six passed on their first attempt, underscoring the program’s strong preparation.
In addition, the program has expanded access through a spring start option, introduced last year. This pathway allows students to begin sooner with a slightly reduced initial course load and has proven especially helpful for students returning to school or building confidence with online learning.
While Montana remains central to the MSW mission, the program’s reach continues to expand nationally. Students are now enrolling from states including West Virginia, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Oregon, California, and Utah, among others. Interest for the 2026–2027 academic year is also exceptionally strong. Carroll has already received 49 inquiries for Fall 2026, with a growing application and admission pipeline already underway.
The program is also expanding its impact across Montana, including increased representation from rural communities along the Hi-Line, in eastern Montana, and in reservation communities. Carroll has also prioritized affordability and access, including an 18 percent tuition reduction which began in Fall 2025 and a new partnership scholarship program that offers employees at participating organizations a scholarship equivalent to a 14 percent tuition reduction, or $100 per credit hour.
Carroll’s MSW program is also actively pursuing broader statewide workforce initiatives and collaborative opportunities, including partnership efforts connected to behavioral health workforce development and rural health transformation programs.
Why an Endowed Professorship Matters
Endowed professorships strengthen academic programs for the long term. They provide stable support that helps attract and retain excellent faculty, expand mentorship and student support, and advance program innovation and community partnership. The Terry Payne Endowed Professorship for Social Work will help ensure Carroll’s MSW program continues to build on its early success and deepen its impact where it matters most.
For J.F. Scherer, this endowment honors a person whose generosity helped make the MSW program possible. It is also an invitation for others to join in honoring Terry Payne by supporting the professorship over time.
“Carroll’s MSW program exists today because of individuals who believed in its mission from the very beginning,” said Interim Co-President Dr. Jennifer Glowienka. “We are deeply grateful to Terry Payne for the early leadership and generosity that helped launch this program as well as his continued investment, and to J.F. Scherer for honoring that legacy through the establishment of this endowed professorship. Their support strengthens our ability to educate social workers who will make a meaningful difference in our communities.”
Those who wish to support Carroll’s MSW program and honor Terry Payne through a gift to the endowment are invited to contribute to the Terry Payne Endowed Professorship for Social Work. If interested, please contact John Girolami ‘88, Major Gifts Officer, jgirolami@carroll.edu, 406-447-5403.
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