Five distinguished alumni of Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice (SP2) were celebrated at the 2026 SP2 Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sunday, May 17. 

The event marked the eighth year that the School has honored alumni through the SP2 Hall of Fame. The event began with remarks from SP2 Dean Sara S. Bachman. SP2 Senior Associate Director for Alumni Engagement and Annual Fund, Toyce Holmes, introduced the 2026 honorees, who are listed below. 

Representing each of SP2’s five degree programs, they were chosen for professional accomplishments and contributions that benefit the Penn community and the lives of students, colleagues, and clients.

Headshot of Pyle

Kathryn (Kaye) Smith Pyle, DSW’78

DSW Program

Headshot of Schiff

Daniel Schiff, MSSP’13

MSSP Program

Headshot of Ellie

Elena Marie DiLapi, MSW’77

MSW Program

Headshot of Ling

Ling Wang, NPL’10

NPL Program

Headshot of Julie

Julie Tennille, PhD’13

PhD Program

To learn more about this year’s inductees, explore the SP2 Alumni Hall of Fame program.

Hall of Fame awardee Daniel Schiff speaking at a podium
Hall of Fame attendees laugh in the audience
Hall of Fame awardee Elena DiLapi accepts her award
Hall of Fame awardee Ling Wang speaks at the podium
Hall of Fame Awardee Kaye Smith Pyle poses with her award
Hall of Fame awardee Julie Tennille speaks at the podium