Roland J. Liebert
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Roland J. Liebert was a
visionary with great ability to bring diverse groups together, which is a
key quality when building a coalition. Roland took the organization from its
conception to fruition with great passion and hard work. He strongly
believed in substance abuse prevention and community involvement. His many
contributions in local and state substance abuse advocacy are just part of
Roland’s legacy. He was an educator, associate editor, writer, consultant,
facilitator, and manager in community building, organizational and program
development, and evaluation research.
Roland James Liebert was born on December 16, 1942 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received a
Bachelor’s degree in American History and Master of Science and Doctor of
Philosophy degrees in Sociology. |
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While teaching at Florida
State University and Florida Atlantic University in the early 1970's, Dr.
Liebert conducted evaluation research on goal setting and decision making at
all levels within American higher education and on long-term trends in
decision-making priorities among municipal governments in the United States.
In the late 1970's, he was Program Director for Sociology at the National
Science Foundation.
Returning to the Midwest, he taught statistics and community building for 19
years at the University of Illinois-Urbana. Additionally, he conducted
action oriented community research, facilitated community development and
program assessment in the depressed neighborhoods of East St. Louis.
Moreover, Dr. Liebert carried out thirteen large sample social surveys of
community concerns and needs, and directed a student internship program.
As a community volunteer in central Illinois, Dr. Liebert also designed and
administered programs for community reintegration of recovering addicts and
alcoholics. He witnessed many transformations of previously destitute
persons into outstanding citizens and community leaders.
Dr. Liebert wrote Disintegration and Political Action: The Changing
Functions of City Governments in America, Power, Paradigms, and Community
Research (Roland J. Liebert and Allen W. Imershein, eds.), and Voices of
Sociology. He also wrote chapters in other three books, 19 monographs and
reports, over 25 papers, 6 articles, and 5 book reviews.
Retiring early from the University of Illinois and moving to Sarasota in
August of 1999, Roland J. Liebert promptly got involved with the Coalition
and became its first Executive Director. His dedication to comprehensive
Countywide initiatives involving collaborative community education and
advocacy for more effective prevention services and reclamation of lives
went beyond SCoSA. Roland was a member of the Florida Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Association, Florida Youth Initiative Advisory Council of the Florida
Department of Children and Families, Public Safety Coordinating Council of
Sarasota County, and the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America. He also
served in the Circuit 12 Juvenile Justice Board, Juvenile Justice Council of
Sarasota County, Florida Statewide Juvenile Justice Coalition, and Community
Alliance of Sarasota.
Roland James Liebert’s sudden demise on August 3, 2003, left us in shock and
deeply saddened. His loss not only affected his wife, two sons, and other
family members, but all the people whose lives he touched. We will remember
this great man and the work he was involved in. SCoSA is committed to continue
Roland’s dedication to substance abuse advocacy and improvement of Sarasota
County’s quality of life. |
