2007 CDS Graduate Forum

The Communication Disorders and Sciences Department hosted the 2007 Graduate Forum on Friday, April 6, 2007. Dr. Earl “Gip” Seaver, Vice Provost at Northern Illinois University and former chair in the Department of Communicative Disorders, presented “Prevention, assessment, and treatment of speech and language disorders in children with cleft palate”.  In conjunction with the Graduate Forum, an awards ceremony was conducted to recognize outstanding individuals. The Outstanding Alumni Award, Exemplary Supervisor Award, Margaret C. Hollowell Scholarship, Ryan Struebing Distinguished Graduate Student Award, and the NSSLHA  Distinguished Graduate Student Awards were presented to recipients.   Below is a summary and pictures from the event.

Outstanding Alumni Award            -           Christy O. Strole

The 2007 Outstanding Alumni Award was presented to Christy O. Strole.  Christy received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from EIU (’79, ’80).  She also has an educational administration degree from Governor’s State University (1995).  Christy is currently a speech language pathologist for the Kankakee school district.  She serves as the Special Education Coordinator for speech/language and early childhood education.  She has supervised seven graduate interns and one clinical fellow.   Christy has been  active in local, state, and national associations.  She was a co-founder of the Kankakee Speech-Language-Hearing Association, President of the Illinois Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and a coordinator for ASHA’s Congressional Action Contact Network.  Christy has been heavily involved with legislative issues within the profession over the years.  She is certainly an excellent example of an alum who has influenced the profession in many ways with her clinical and volunteer work in the various associations.   

*Picture of Jean Smitley and Christy O. Strole with caption that reads Jean Smitley, Alumni Relations Chair, presents the Outstanding Alumni Award to Christy O. Strole.

Exemplary Supervisor Award         -           Carrie Andel and Kristin Ernst          

There were two supervisors chosen for the Exemplary Supervisor Award this year.  The recipients were Carrie Andel and Kristin Ernst.   Carrie supervised graduate student Jennifer Berger who completed an educational internship at Cantrall Elementary School in Cantrall, Illinois.  In Jennifer’s nomination letter, she cited Carrie’s professionalism in conferences with other professionals and parents, and her patience in refining Jennifer’s skills in assessments and treatment, writing IEP’s, and developing schedules.  Jennifer stated, “Carrie taught me what textbooks could not; how to be an effective therapist in the real world.”   

*Picture of Mrs. Carrie Andel and Jennifer Hornston with caption that reads Graduate student Jennifer Hornston Berger presents the Exemplary Supervisor Award to Carrie Andel. 

The second supervisor chosen for the award was Kristin Ernst.  Kristin supervised graduate student Jill Callaghan who completed a medical internship at Hinsdale Hospital in Hinsdale, IL.  Jill cited Kristin’s supportive and encouraging manner, ability to instill independence and confidence, and knowledge about communication disorders serviced in the medical setting.  Jill said Kristin often took time to discuss disorders and the treatment efficacy behind the therapy.  Jill stated in her nomination letter she could not have had a better supervisor in the medical setting and was very appreciative for all Kristin had done for her.  The CDS Department echoes that thought – thanks to all supervisors who mentor and supervise students in educational and medical internship sites. 

*Picture of Mrs. Kristin Ernst and Jean Smitley with caption that reads Jean Smitley, Alumni Relations Chair, presents the Exemplary Supervisor Award to Kristin Ernst. 

Margaret C. Hollowell Scholarship             -           Cassie Shuemaker

*Picture of Mrs. Hollowell and Cassie with caption that reads Mrs. Margaret Hollowell presents her scholarship to Cassie Shuemaker, graduate student. 

The recipient of the 2006 Margaret C. Hollowell Graduate Scholarship was Cassie Shuemaker.  The Margaret C. Hollowell Scholarship was established in 1997 to financially support a student’s graduate career.  Cassie completed her bachelor’s degree at EIU and began her master’s degree in Fall 2006. Cassie was chosen to receive the award based on her academic, research, and service accomplishments.  Cassie is a strong student who has been involved with NSSLHA and presented her research at professional conferences.  She is from Neoga, IL and stated that the scholarship will be helpful in achieving her goal of completing her master’s degree and becoming a certified speech-language pathologist. 

Ryan Struebing Distinguished Graduate Student Award             -           Alesha Stralow

*Picture of Mr. and Mrs. Struebing and Alesha with caption that reads Mr. and Mrs. Jim Struebing present the Ryan Struebing Distinguished Graduate Student Award to Alesha Stralow, graduate student.

This award was named in memory of an exceptional young man, Ryan Struebing, who graduated from the master’s program in 2002.  Ryan’s parents, Jim and Anne Struebing, endowed the award to assist another CDS student who embodied Ryan’s spirit of collegiality, strong work ethic, passion for CDS, and contributions to student organizations.  The recipient of the award this year was Alesha Stralow, who completed her undergraduate degree at Augustana College in Rock Island.  Alesha was very involved in extracurricular activities, such as serving executive positions on the Inter Varsity Christian Fellowship, going on mission trips to Denver, Colorado, Biloxi, Mississippi, and St. Louis, and volunteering for the Special Olympics.  She also served as Treasurer and President of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association during her undergraduate career at Augustana. 

NSSLHA Distinguished Graduate Student Award           -           Colleen Slattery

*Picture of Colleen and Margaret that reads Margaret Pedziwiatr, NSSLHA President, presents the NSSLHA Distinguished Graduate Student Award to Colleen Slattery, graduate student. 

The faculty of CDS selects a Distinguished Graduate Student each year, who is then recognized by the Graduate School.  The second recipient of the award was Colleen Slattery, who completed her undergraduate degree at Marquette University.  Colleen was chosen based on her strong work ethic, clinical skills, and academic performance.  Colleen is a strong student who always has a smile on her face.  She completes tasks, projects, and duties efficiently and effectively.  She served as the graduate representative for NSSLHA, worked at a special education cooperative during summers, and completed service learning activities at Marquette.  It was a privilege to award Colleen this honor as she sets out to complete her internships during the 2007-08 school year. 

These awards were just a few examples of the success of CDS students this year.  Below is a culmination of awards students have been successful in obtaining this past year.