Faculty Update

Angela Beckman returned to EIU in the fall of 2006 as an Assistant Professor in CDS. After leaving as a student in May of 2000, she went on to complete her master’s degree at Gallaudet University, and then to enroll in a doctoral program at the University of Virginia. During her time in DC and Virginia, she gained experience as a speech-language pathologist in private practice and in private and public school settings. During the past year, Angela taught Intro in the fall, Aural Rehab and the Sign Lab in the spring, and supervising the Audiology Practicum during both semesters. She is looking forward to having an audiologist in the Department to collaborate with this fall! Her summer was filled with research for her dissertation, the last task necessary to complete her PhD in Reading Education from the University of Virginia! On October 6, she and fiancée Graham Anthony will be married in a small ceremony in Wisconsin.

Life continues to be busy with work and family for Trina Becker.  The past 2 years have been busy in ISHA serving as co-chair of the Fall Forum and the Early Intervention Committee.  Continuing to develop  knowledge in the area of AAC has resulted in presentations locally, as well as the Chicago area.   Sons Jonah and Jackson continue to be a constant source of joy and entertainment.  Jonah made it through kindergarten with flying colors, with summer activities of T-ball and baseball and basketball camps.  Jackson is three and developing more and more into a little clown; he is the king of one-liners.  Matt Trina and the boys went to Disney World this past spring on a trip that was truly magical!  It was such fun to watch the boys experience new things and see all of their favorite Disney characters. 

Beth Bergstrom  is still here but never in the same office two years in a row.  You won’t hear her complaining - she still loves her job and loves spending time with the students and faculty.  “It really is fun to come to work everyday no matter what kind of small, closet-like office they shove me in!!!!”  Anywhere is “spa-like” compared to home with three boys and a new puppy.  Mason (8) is the scientist and spent a week at Camp Invention this past summer with Ms. Fahy’s daughter.  He loves school and can’t wait for third grade.  Reese (7) is the athlete/trouble maker who would do summer sports indefinitely and just forget school all together.  Cooper (4) is on the edge of the dark side but still mostly sweet, so cute and can’t wait to start pre-school this fall.  Their new edition is Rolen, the puppy.  He is the favorite and the easiest by far! With all the activity, Beth and Brad just try to survive! 

Lynn Calvert has watched another year come and go in what seems like three months time!!  Torey graduated from the University of Illinois in May and hopefully by the time you all read this she will have a job (other than bartending).  Eric is starting his senior year of high school this fall, and football remains the major focus of his life.  In fact he can’t make a decision about a college until football season is over.  The family took a much needed vacation at the end of July to Hilton Head.

Chris Chambers continues to supervise both undergraduate and graduate students at the Clinic and the off-site practicum, ARC, a workshop for developmentally disabled adults.  She also serves as the department representative for the College of Sciences Campus Advisory Network.  Faculty in the department often consult Chris to answer questions regarding the never ending changes in undergraduate requirements.  Ali is now officially a teenager.  She spent a week away from both parents attending a church camp over the summer and thoroughly enjoyed her week of independence. 

Jill Fahy has kept busy this past year, taking classes, teaching classes, giving lectures, and getting married.  Jill teaches the Aphasia/Right Hemisphere course, and a special topics course in Executive Functions.  Her diagnostic case load continues to fill up with interesting right-hemisphere related developmental disorders which impact social and nonverbal communication skills.  This past year, Jill traveled to Georgia and New York, presenting on deficits in developing executive functions, and recorded a lecture for ISHA’s new distance learning initiative.  She also planned a wedding in 6 days over spring break, marrying Mike Craig on St. Patrick’s Day.  Between the two of them, they have 3 girls.  Kate, 8, and Kelsey, 15, live with them.  Emily, who just turned 21, is starting her senior year at EIU, finishing a major in psychology.  Kate played piano and softball this past summer, while Kelsey kept busy with babysitting jobs and normal teenage “stuff”. 

Frank Goldacker finished a busy year as ISHA president and Chair of the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensure Board.  Unfortunately, his sail boat has had to take a back seat to these other commitments for now, but he says that will not continue to be the case.    Emma completed her freshman year at SIUE.  She is majoring in nursing with a minor in late-night leisure studies.  Lisa continues working at Charleston High School and enjoyed a busy summer away from teaching to engage in gardening, scrap-booking, and traveling to see family.            

Linda Huddlestun continues to keep the department functioning, and quite efficiently too!  Son, T.J., is still with the Illinois Department of Transportation.  He spent a week fishing and four-wheeling in Canada in June.  Tricia and Jason have their hands and time full with work and the two ‘grandboys’.  Jacob celebrated his first birthday in February and Braden celebrated his sixth, also in February.  Braden will be in first grade in the fall.  Of course, Grandmother and Granddad are Braden’s biggest fans at t-ball and soccer games.   

Gail Richard kept juggling professional life with her new personal life. Three chapters in books and a revised processing intervention book written with Mary Anne Hanner kept the computer humming. Multiple presentations around the country included the ASHA Schools Conference during the summer and the New Jersey and Delaware state conventions in the spring. Stepson Peter graduated from high school and completed Army Advanced Infantry Training over the summer; Daniel’s high school activities include powerlifting and football. John welcomes Gail home from her travels and asks how long she intends to visit before packing the suitcase again. He’s still convinced she only got married so there was someone to feed the cats and water the plants!

Jean Smitley continues to be amazed at how fast the semesters fly by and how technology is changing the way students are learning and interacting.  From a faculty perspective, technology has enhanced the teaching experience, and there is much to be learned from this generation of savvy students.  Learning and growing…life continues to be fascinating watching EIU students and her own children change over the years.  Daughter Erin, is soon to be a teenager, cheers for the middle school, swims on a swim club during summers, and has a busy social calendar.  Son, Ryan (8), was busy with baseball, golf, and basketball during the summer and wonders why he can’t have the same social calendar as his sister.  The family enjoyed a Disney vacation this past summer.  Lots of roller coasters to remind them all about the ups and downs, twists and turns of life!

Rebecca Throneburg’s children are now 10 (Jacob), 7 (Sarah) and 4 (Rachel) and are still being videotaped for examples and projects in Language Acquisition. They continue to enjoy occasionally coming to work with mom on a day when she doesn’t have class.  Troy rebuilt the families’ old houseboat over the winter and the Throneburgs enjoyed lots of time on Lake Shelbyville over the summer.  The marina where the houseboat is docked now has wireless internet access.  Dr. Throneburg could sit on the boat while the kids were swimming and answer email questions with her laptop from her distance learning language acquisition class or she could use remote access to get into her office computer and work away on research and other work projects.  Dr. Throneburg is looking forward to teaching in the fall and then enjoying a sabbatical in the spring to focus some additional time on research.

Tina Veale completed her first year as part of EIU's CDS faculty.  She taught four courses, including graduate research methods, motor speech disorders, and autism assessment/intervention, and undergraduate neurology/embryology.  She will assume the duties of Graduate Coordinator in 2007-08.  Dr. Veale has enjoyed getting to know the students and faculty at Eastern, and settling into life in Charleston.  After six years in Macomb, she thinks Charleston seems like a metropolis!  Now there's something you don't hear everyday!

Brenda Wilson has a new grandson, Whitaker Davies Wilson.  That makes seven grandchildren, and Eva is still the only girl.  The highlight of last year was a trip to Ireland with her oldest son, HD.  She would recommend visiting Ireland if you have a chance.  Dr. Wilson is still gardening, making salsa and reading Stephen King books.  It was a busy year with graduate coordination and medical internships.  EIU students continue to do well and make CDS look good when they are completing their internships.  The program continues to grow in the number of students admitted, and there are always exciting new changes to enhance what is offered to students.  Brenda also loves it when you come back to visit.