When the Heller School for Social Policy and Management opened in 1959, the building was not Wi-Fi enabled. It did not have a Dell computer system sitting in every classroom nor a projector that would slowly unroll with the touch of a button. It did not have elevators for all three floors of the building. What it did have were professors, its first three graduate students and a vision of social justice. "While we have physically gotten larger, the basis of the vision has really stayed the same," said Dean of the Heller School Lisa M. Lynch, who opened the ceremony for the Heller School's 50th Anniversary. As a testament to the Heller School's progress over the last half century, Lynch mentioned the school's 2,300 alumni and the current class of 500 students from 59 different countries.

On a breezy evening at the Irving Schneider and Family Building last Friday, over a hundred guests, alumni, students and professors gathered at the Zinner Forum to celebrate the Heller School's 50th anniversary. Many of the attendees were retired, but the desire for social improvement was still alive in them 40 years after graduating from the school.

The Heller School was founded in 1959 as Brandeis' first professional school with the aid of philanthropist Florence G. Heller. The School's founders were committed to the field of social policy as well as health and human services management. The Heller School offers degrees that range from doctorates in social policy to master's degrees in business administration and social policy and began offering a joint degree in Women's and Gender Studies this year.

At the weekend-long event, Brandeis alumni who graduated in the 1960s alongside current students attended lectures and workshops. Most of the events were panels of speakers who presented social and community policy issues such as "Transforming the Practice of Development" and "Philanthropy, Social Justice and the Recession." All panels were relevant to recent political changes, such as Barack Obama's health reform.

The commemoration was as much a celebration of the Heller School as a commemoration of the memories and friendships that it has created. Mary Laverne '76, who arrived early, stood up to keep a careful watch of the stairs in the hopes of spotting a friend of 30 years. After waiting 20 minutes with fixed eyes, she broke into a bright smile at the sight of her friend.

During the reception, Lynch spoke to the audience of alumni about the development of the Heller School's mission.

"The original founders wanted to train new leaders to face challenges. Intellectual curiosity, flexibility, adaptability-these characteristics are included in the faculty," Lynch said. She looked at the audience of alumni, students and faculty and ended with, "Welcome home."

Lynch, an Economics professor, was appointed the Heller School's fourth dean and first female dean, in 2008. Former deans include Charles Schottland, Arnold Gurin, Jack P. Shonkoff and the twice-appointed Stuart Altman. Altman was also involved in the 50th Anniversary Advisory Board.

Marian Wright Edelman, a public interest lawyer and activist, was the keynote speaker Friday evening. "I see so many old faces here tonight," said Edelman. "I don't mean 'old' faces," she joked.

Edelman's works have been used in social policy classes and her advocacy symbolizes many of the Heller School's aims. Originally from South Carolina, Edelman earned a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School and worked as a lawyer until she became connected with the civil rights movement in the 1960s. She founded the Children's Defense Fund in 1973 and works closely with Congress to lobby causes for children's education and development.

Edelman spoke quickly but with deep introspection: "No nation should allow their children to be born in poverty. There is something wrong with this picture. ... We [U.S.] love being number one, but we don't mind being number 16 in lowest maternal mortality rates."

She emphasized the necessary shift in American and international policy from politics and war to child development and education. "I would invest the trillions of resources for the poor, hungry children on our shared Earth .We know what to do but we must build a movement to make it happen. I submit the facts that I am about to share: the American social Achilles heel is that a child drops out of school every ten seconds," she said.

Tom Glynn, Ph.D. '77, chairman of the Heller School's Board of Overseers, described Edelman as "the most effective advocate in every area."

"Her cause, social justice for children and families, is our case and our mission. She never misses an opportunity to advocate her cause," Glynn said in a speech. He paused briefly to show the audience Edelman's sign-up sheets for the Children's Defense Fund. The audience laughed warmly and applauded.

The speech was followed by a commemoration for Prof. David Gil (HELLER), a University of Pennsylvania graduate and Holocaust survivor. As a professor, he specialized in the dynamics of violence and oppression. He has fostered close relationships with Heller School students and staff and has taught courses such as "Work and Individual and Social Development," as well as "Theories in Social Policy."

While Gil sat quietly in the front row with his wife during the reception, the panel of speakers emphasized his international influence and his dedication over the years.

"He did not give grades; you had to grade yourself. The external reward forces you to go deeper [into the subject]," said Kathleen Kantzer '88, who earned a master's and doctorate in human services management from the Heller School. She currently teaches at Regis College in the Sociology department. Kantzer said of Gil's unconventional grading style, "He was a fierce and eloquent advocate that I admire very much."

For some of the younger attendees, Sunday was an opportunity to network and polish job-finding skills. The event, "Career Networking and Career Building Session: Well Rounded in a Flat World: The Secret to Successful Career Development in the Global Economy," was held Sunday morning for anyone who wanted to prepare themselves in a recession.

Stacyann Gabbidon, a first-year Heller School student from Jamaica pursuing a dual degree in Sustainable International Development and Coexistence and Conflict, said that the 50th anniversary provided a chance to begin career networking.

"I came to the Heller School event because I was interested in behavioral health and enhancing people's capabilities for development. The events are relevant whatever you study," she said.

"I won't necessarily find a job, but it is a good way of meeting people casually," she said.