November 1999 Volume 4.1

Speech-Language Pathology Alumni Newsletter

Message from the Program Director

I have to admit that next to graduation, Homecoming provides one of the most professionally rewarding opportunities for me. It is a privilege to see former students and hear of the many highlights in your personal and professional lives. The Alumni Conference just keeps getting better and provides a great reason for our alumni (and former faculty) to come home and visit. One of the goals of the conference has been to bring high quality, reasonably priced continuing education to alumni and area practitioners, but also to involve our current students in such an activity. We believe they deserve to be exposed early on to some of the authorities in our profession and the practice of learning routinely. It is a real bonus for them to hear Edinboro alumni presenting a session, or just to interact with them during breaks. Nearly 100 individuals attended this year's conference and we hope you will continue to support this event. Dr. Molrine is already planning for next year's program on October 9 so mark your calendars!

This is the 25^th anniversary of the Speech-Language Pathology program here at Edinboro University and thanks to the efforts of each of you, the tradition of excellence has been established and maintained. Your standard will hopefully continue to serve as a yardstick and source of pride for current and future students. We're growing too. Two new faculty members joined us this year (Prof. Katya Hill and Dr. Robin Alvares), Prof. Dennis Lutz was appointed Director of our clinic, and a new computer lab dedicated to SLP students is near completion. Thanks for all your support over the years!

Robin Alvares, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Dr. Alvares received her BA in Speech Pathology and Audiology from San Jose State University in California, her MS in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington, and her Ph.D. from the University of Texas-Dallas. She is originally from San Jose, CA where her family still resides. Dr. Alvares developed an interest for child language development while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She switched her major into communication disorders her junior year. She explained that she took phonetics "in utero", while her mother was pregnant with her. Her mother was a speech therapist in the 1960’s. Robin claims that she tried to give her mother the answers during the test by kicking around so hard that her mother had to take the test in the professor's office where she could be more comfortable.

Previously a faculty member at Northern Illinois University where she worked with Dr. Jim Andrews, Dr. Alvares teaches courses in early intervention and counseling as well as supervising clinical practica. She especially likes Edinboro because of the smaller population which allows her to get to know the students better and provide more one-on-one attention during projects. The thing she likes most about being an SLP: "Getting to play with babies and get paid for it!" she states.

Some of Robin’s future goals include increasing the availability of services to infants, toddlers and families, to bring a more humanistic approach to our profession through her students, and to improve teaching strategies in our field. She will present at the ASHA convention in San Francisco this year.

Katya Hill, M.A. CCC-SLP

Professor Hill received her BA and MA from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in Speech Language Pathology. She is currently completing a Ph.D. at the University of Pittsburgh. She began her Edinboro career studying German, but she too, like Dr. Alvares, decided to change her major her junior year. She explained that when changing her major, she simply opened the curriculum catalog to speech pathology. Knowing nothing about the field, she arranged a meeting with Dr. Forcucci. From that point on, she knew that speech-language pathology was the perfect career for her. Upon completion of her MA from EUP, she began working for the local Intermediate Unit as coordinator of Assistive Technology services where she stayed until pursuing her Ph.D.

Professor Hill will be teaching augmentative communication and microcomputer classes at EUP, along with AAC practica. She admires the faculty most in EUP’s speech and hearing program and quotes it as having a, "…high caliber of professionalism and expertise as a whole." She enjoys the collegial atmosphere and how everyone works together. Professor Hill strongly believes that Edinboro can become, "…the leading academic and research center for AAC in the country!" The greatest satisfaction that she obtains from being an SLP is providing someone with effective communication after they’ve had nothing.

Professor Hill’s future goals include establishing a technology lab at EUP to be used for clinical and course work so that students can learn to customize technology for individual cases. She also hopes to develop a website for research and language activity monitoring, and continue to conduct research in augmentative communication. She will be presenting at several national and international conferences this year including the ASHA convention in San Francisco.

Welcome Aboard!

ACCOLADES

Dr. Robin Alvares

PRESENTATION AT 1999 ASHA CONFERENCE

Writing Across the Curriculum in Communication Disorders

Sharon Conklin - Grant Coordinator

Selected as 1999 Assistive Technology Service Provider by the Pennsylvania Initiative on Assistive Technology

Kirsty Docken - Graduate Alumni

1998-99 Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Speech-Language Pathology

Dr. Richard Forcucci

Proudly served as the Grand Marshall at the Spring 1999 Commencement

Dr. Susan Hegel

PRESENTATION AT 1999 ASHA CONFERENCE

Phonological Awareness Skills & Standardized Language Assessment in Kindergarten Children

Professor Katya Hill

PRESENTATION AT 1999 ASHA CONFERENCE

Conversations of 3-Year-Olds: Implications for AAC Outcomes

Language Activity Monitoring for School-Age Children: Improving AAC Intervention

Identifying AAC Language Representations Methods Used by Persons with ALS

Cultural Stylistic Differences in Adult Narrative Retellings: A Decision-Making Paradigm

Presentation at the 1999 South EasT Augmentative and Communication conference

A proposal standard for AAC and writing system data logging for clinical intervention, outcomes measurement, and research.

Presentation at 1999 RESNA Conference:

A language activity monitor for AAC and writing

systems: clinical intervention, outcomes

measurement, and research.

PRESENTATION AT 1999 conference on tecnology and persons with disabilities

aac language Activity Monitoring and analysis for clinical intervention and research outcomes.

Dr. Charlotte Molrine

PRESENTATION AT 1999 ASHA CONFERENCE

Gender and Expressive Language Performance on Three Aphasia Tests

Preschool Children’s Expressive Language Gains 1 Year After Tympanostomy Tube Placement (Co-author Kristine Goldynia, Graduate Student)

Cultural Stylistic Differences in Adult Narrative Retellings: A Decision-Making Paradigm (Co-author Kirsty Docken & Laura Doty, Graduate Alumni)

Andrea Novak - Class of 1995

1999 Alumni on the Move Award

Patricia Schaal - Class of 1978

1999 Alumni on the Move Award

Dr. Roy Shinn

PRESENTATION AT 1999 ASHA CONFERENCE

Ethics in the Market Place: Report of the Board of Ethics

New Graduate Students

1999-2000

Emily Allen Edinboro University

Leslye Berkeley Edinboro University

Leigh Brezovsky West Virginia University

Erin Brzezicki Edinboro University

Monica Doyle SUNY-Fredonia

Alicia Gaum University of Toronto

Rebecca Hyland SUNY-Geneseo

Kristie Jacobs Edinboro University

Melissa Kishel Penn State

Maria Letizio University of Pittsburgh

Kathi Loughran McMaster University

Kim Raudebaugh University of Tennessee

Sara Rzomp University of Pittsburgh

Kelly Sivak Edinboro University

Jennifer Thiel U. of Western Washington

Bobbette Trace Edinboro University

Brock Tropea Edinboro University

Renee Wahlenmayer Edinboro University

Deborah Weber Edinboro University

David Whipkey Edinboro University

Mr. Boylan began his college career at West Virginia Wesleyan University for ministry. Although he completed this degree, he began thinking about a teaching career around his junior year, for which he began taking classes. After graduating, he completed student teaching and took a job in Frederick, Maryland as a teacher. With an interest in communication disorders, Mr. Boylan returned home to Cambridge Springs to take prerequisite courses in speech and hearing disorders from Edinboro in order to pursue a Master's degree in SLP. His interest in our profession stemmed back to childhood, when as a child, Mr. Boylan's sister acquired a severe bilateral hearing loss due to infection. Upon completing his prerequisites, he immediately took a position in Philadelphia with the Easter Seals as a member of a rehabilitation team in a multiple handicap K-8 school. Two years later, he then became the Program Director of Easter Seals in Levittown, PA for a year, and then spent two years in Chester County Public School district. During his years in Philadelphia, he began his Master's degree in Speech Pathology at Temple University.

After about five years in Philly, Mr. Boylan moved to Clarion, PA accepting a position as Director of the Head Start Program, where he stayed for three years and completed his Master's degree through Clarion University. He began his Ph.D. through Kent University, where he eventually moved his wife and family to complete his Ph.D. coursework. A position then opened at Edinboro University in the Speech Pathology department. Only needing to complete his dissertation, Mr. Boylan accepted the position at Edinboro and once again moved the family. Finally, he joined the Edinboro Family in the fall of 1972, one month before Dr. Forcucci, he stressed.

Mr. Boylan believes that one of his greatest contributions to Edinboro is professional integrity. One of his biggest goals was make sure his students were well grounded in current standards. Technology, of course is another contribution. He strived to remain current with the best practice methods known. He established the Assistive Technology Center, making it accessible to the students to provide first hand knowledge and experience with relevant technology.

Edinboro has provided Mr. Boylan with, what he states, "A sense of pride" in knowing that he's contributed to professional growth in our field in a small way. "SLP students from Edinboro are well respected in our field. They're well-grounded, of quality, and informed as they go out into the field…they are very competitive." On a personal note, Mr. Boylan has gained a,"…sense of fulfillment, feeling that I've made a difference" he stated.

Mr. Boylan views assistive technology as in a "state of transition" in our field. "The issue is about ownership in rehabilitation," he explained. He described an overlap between PT, OT, and SLP services involving positioning, gesturing, and communicating. "It will take time to endorse what each area of significance will be theirs…AT is a very necessary part of an SLP's responsibilities."

In the last ten years, Mr. Boylan believes that the majority of students coming out of graduate school today have some familiarity with AT and augmentative communication devices. Use of AT and augmentative communication is becoming "legitimized." He states there is an, "…acceptance by professions in medicine and rehabilitation."

Mr. Boylan plans to spend his retirement years, "…trying to back down a notch or two." His greatest challenge he believes is, "Setting priorities for a more balanced life." Since retirement, he's shifted all his energy to other projects, giving "150%" to those. He's seeking balance between family, rest, relaxation, and volunteering.

What will Mr. Boylan miss most about coming to work everyday?

"Interacting with the students and the opportunity to be motivated by them."

Current and former faculty and students joined University President Dr. Frank Pogue, Vice-President William Reed, and Dean of Liberal Arts Dr. Terry Smith on October 8th to rededicate the university building where clients with speech, language, and hearing disorders have been evaluated and treated since 1960. The event included remarks from Dr. Frank Johnson, a faculty member in the department when the clinic building was first constructed who reflected on the historical changes in the clinic and the academic units affiliated with it during the past 39 years. He proudly noted both the tradition and the evolution of the clinic's and academic department's role during that time.

The keynote speaker was former Pennsylvania Governor George Leader (1955-59), who delivered an inspirational message about the intrinsic rewards of doing one's best, pursuing a career in public services, and personally reaching out to those in need. He spoke of the landmark legislation he signed into law that first mandated special education services in Pennsylvania schools, and of his current projects of computer access for disadvantaged children in Harrisburg, as well as changing the hearts of prisoners around the state.

Governor Leader was introduced by Dean Smith, who first unveiled a wooden engraved plaque of the governor and a quote of his. It reads, "Every child, no matter what their talents or disabilities, deserves an education that will permit them to achieve the zenith of their potential." This plaque now hangs in the entry to the building. The ceremony also featured a somewhat new name for the building - The Governor George Leader Speech and Hearing Center - chosen to increase recognition of both whom the building honors and what services are provided. A new sign bearing this name will soon be installed in front of the building.

New Scholarship Drive Kicked Off

You probably recall wishing you could participate in a state or national conference while you were a student, but the costs were simply prohibitive. With the increasing scope of practice, the need for networking, and the rapid changes in knowledge and skills, attendance at the conferences has become almost an expected part of graduate education today. Yet the costs of participating are still daunting to most graduate students. In honor of our distinguished guest on the occasion of the rededication of Leader Clinic, the

Governor George Leader Scholarship fund drive was initiated. The long term goal is to endow this fund at the $10,000 level so that the principal can be maintained and the interest used to provide assistance to needy students in

our program to participate in a state or national conference. If you are able to make a contribution to this fund, please use the enclosed envelope. Don't forget to check to see if your employer provides any matching funds. If you have any questions about the fund, contact Dr. Roy Shinn at

shinn@edinboro.edu

814-732-2730.

� Scholarships Awarded �

Once again, students in the speech-language pathology program had the opportunity to compete for two $1000 scholarships, thanks to the generosity of alum Hal Blount ('83). The recipient of the Dennis Ranalli Scholarship went to first year graduate student Erin Brzezicki. Erin is a native of Erie and received her B.A. in Speech and Hearing Disorders (Summa Cum Laude) from Edinboro University in May 1999. Erin has a variety of interests in the profession, but has a special desire to work with head injured patients at this stage of her professional development.

The recipient of the Dr. Richard Forcucci scholarship was second year graduate student Leslie Ursu. Leslie received her B.S. degree from Penn State in 1998 and has been a graduate assistant in the Leader Clinic for the past year. She is scheduled to intern at Suburban General Hospital and an elementary school (both in Pittsburgh) next semester, and then graduate in late spring.

Congratulations Leslie and Erin, and we can't say "thanks" enough to Hal for this wonderful support of the program and our hard working students!

NIH Grant Awarded to Edinboro Faculty Member

Professor Katya Hill, a new faculty member in the program, was recently awarded a grant from the National Institutes of Health for her research on a device known as the Language Activity Monitor. The LAM is used to evaluate the expressive language performance of users of augmentative communication devices. It is anticipated that knowledge gained from this research will enable better use and design of AAC devices in the future.

11^th Annual Alumni Speech-Language & Hearing Conference

This year, the Edinboro University Chapter of the National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Association held the 11^th Annual Alumni Conference in the University Center on October 8, 1999.

The keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Owens, CCC-SLP from State University of New York and author of language intervention texts for SLP students. His presentation was titled Functional Language Intervention with Children.

Alternative mini-seminars were presented by:

Mrs. Sharon Graff, CCC-SLP,

Baltimore VA Medical center

Medical Indications and Contraindications for Speech-Language Pathologists

Dr. Heidi Harbers, CCC-SLP,

Illinois State University

Incorporating Awareness in Phonological Intervention

Dr. Robin Alvares, CCC-SLP

Edinboro University of PA

Understanding Angelmann's Syndrome.Understanding Angelmann's Syndrome.

Each presentation provided such valuable information that it was hard to decide which one to attend. An extended "Thank You" to Dr. Char Molrine and the many volunteers who worked so hard to provide such a successful conference! Next year's conference is scheduled for October 9, 1999. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Joan Arvedson of Children's Hospital, Buffalo New York, author of Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding. If you or anyone you know are interested in presenting at the conference, please contact Dr. Molrine at:

cmolrine@edinboro.edu

Phone: 814-732-2432

Fax: 814-732-2612