UNM Counselor Education alumna Dorothy Gram remembered for life of service

The College of Education and Human Sciences (COEHS) honors the life of Dorothy Wooldridge Gram. Gram was a UNM Counselor Education alumna who died earlier this year; she was known for her humor, kindness, and legacy of service to families and educators.

"We mourn the loss of Dorothy while we celebrate her life and the incredible work she accomplished," said Kristopher M. Goodrich, dean of the COEHS. "Dorothy was an educator and a true servant leader. Our College honors her legacy and her lasting contributions."

Gram shared lessons from her career as a teacher and counselor as the COEHS's Spring 2023 Convocation keynote speaker. Addressing a crowd of professionals preparing to enter "people fields" like teaching, coaching, and counseling, Gram shared lessons from her professional career, closing with: "People are good and doing the best they can under the circumstances."

Gram's counseling and education career began after she earned her bachelor's degree from The University of Southern California in 1963. Gram worked as a teacher in the Los Angeles public school district for nearly a decade before relocating to New Mexico, where she earned a master's in Counseling from UNM. Gram served as a counselor consultant for Albuquerque Public Schools before working as an educational psychologist and licensed marriage and family therapist in California.

Her dedication to her profession was widely recognized. In 1987, Gram was named Outstanding Psychologist of the Year and received the APPLE (Appreciation of People Who Promote Learning Excellence) Award from the City of Los Angeles for her work in teen suicide prevention. Beyond her professional roles, she volunteered with the Assistance League, worked in prisons, and maintained a private practice. Throughout her almost 50-year marriage to William Louis Gram, Dorothy remained committed to helping others.

In her later years, Gram's devotion to supporting mental health education continued with the creation of the Dorothy Gram Counselor Education Scholarship Fund. This fund directly supports UNM's Counselor Education program and the Manzanita Counseling Center, which provides no-cost counseling to individuals, families, and couples in New Mexico while giving graduate students hands-on behavioral health training.

"Dorothy's gift is truly a game changer for New Mexico's leading mental health training program," said Dean Goodrich. Her generosity was celebrated at a recent Counselor Education alumni reunion, where colleagues and students honored her career and contributions to the program.

Donations in Dorothy's memory can be made to the Dorothy Gram Counselor Education Scholarship Fund through the UNM Foundation.