News and events
Schroeder elected OAD leader
Fall 2009 - Carl Schroeder, assistant professor of Special Education and coordinator of the American Sign Language Studies program, was elected president of the Oregon Association of the Deaf, an organization founded in 1921. During his term, he has committed to building a working relationship with various agencies and organizations serving the Deaf.
Autism expert named to Governor's new commission
Dr. Mickey Pardew, professor of Special Education, was named to the newly created Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in July 2009. The 13 member group, which works to improve services to individuals and families experiencing ASD in Oregon, was appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski. In making selections, he focused on individuals who combined a proven record of leadership with a high level of experience working on pertinent issues and demonstrated passion to produce meaningful results for Oregonians. - read more
ASL Studies leader honored as top adviser
Dr. Carl Schroeder, coordinator of the WOU American Sign Language Studies program, was named WOU Faculty Adviser of the Year for Student Clubs and Organizations. The honor was announced at the annual Student Leadership Awards event on May 5, 2009. He advises the ASL Club and was nominated by students. A special committee of students and staff selected the winner based on letters of support. Here is an excerpt from one:
Carl's dedication was shown through his personal sacrifice in always giving 100% to the club, and to every participant, no matter what other situations arose during the course of the year. He is an outstanding adviser and educator, and we are so grateful for the powerful impact he has... We applaud Carl for his dedication, his service and his commitment to educate and positively shape students' lives at WOU.
Woodburn ceremony for top educators features WOU alumna
WOU alumna Charyl Lehecka, a teacher at North Marion Primary School, was a 2008 Crystal Apple award winner in North Marion School District. The award ceremony took place Nov. 6 in Woodburn, coordinated by the Woodburn Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by several area corporations, businesses, and service groups. There were 50 nominations and 22 awardees. At WOU Lehecka earned her master's in special education in 2005 and was chosen a Special Education Student of the Year. Her bachelor's degree (2004) focused on elementary/early childhood education. Licensed to teach early intervention and elementary special education, she teaches in a regional program autism training classroom and was nominated by the parents of three brothers in her classroom. She recently completed coursework for WOU's Autism Spectrum Disorders Certificate program.
ASL/English Interpreting receives award of excellence
The Sorenson Video Relay Services (SVRS) Interpreter Education Program Award of Excellence went to WOU's ASL/English Interpreting program at the Conference of Interpreter Trainers held in October. The honor recognizes WOU's ongoing efforts to enhance and broaden communication relating to the deaf community and includes $10,000 to advance curriculum and training. Coordinating WOU's ASL/EI program is Dr. Elisa Maroney, associate professor of Special Education. Upon hearing of the award, Dr. Hilda Rosselli, dean of the College of Education said to Maroney and program faculty, "Thanks to your hard work, WOU's ASL/English Interpreting program is very deserving of this award. We are so happy for you and proud of your efforts to prepare WOU students to assume their role as professionals in the interpreting field." - read more
December update: WOU learned of more considerations as part of this award: 1.) $2500 credit to be used at Sign Media and 2.) $4000 credit to be used at DawnSignPress. Sorenson Communications donated $2500 to both companies for WOU to use to further improve its interpreter education programs. DawnSignPress donated an additional $1500 to the WOU program.
Graduate invited for intercultural exchange in Japan
Samuel Jordan ('02 MS in Ed: Special Education) of New Jersey (and formerly of Grants Pass, Ore.) was invited to participate in the Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Teacher Program for three weeks in October 2008 - read more
Grants to benefit hearing impaired students
WOU received two grants in August 2008 to help finance scholarships and ultimately provide significant help for hearing-impaired students - read more
Rehabilitation Counseling grant boosts enrollment
This fall a five year grant totalling $750,000 will increase by a third the graduate students enrolled in both the general Rehabilitation Counseling program and the Rehabilitation Counseling: Deafness cohort. The Rehabilitation Long-term Training grant, awarded by Rehabilitation Services Administration, is $150,000 per year. It funds about 75 percent of tuition each term for up to six graduate students. Dr. Julia Smith, who administers the grant, said this funding will increase enrollment from 24 to 36 each year. She added that the division has hired Dr. Chung-Fan (Fran) Ni, a tenure track faculty member who will begin this fall.
Seabeck academic service, summer 2008 - read more
Three graduates nominated for prestigious award
Colleen Post, Jennifer Rowan and Carla Vangriend have much more in common than being Salem-Keizer School District educators. All three are graduates of WOU Special Education programs and each was been nominated to receive a S-K Crystal Apple award at ceremonies in November 2007. Congratulations!
| Vocational rehabilitation seminar |
Linda Keller welcomes presenters Lilia Araujo (left) and Jaime Silva. |
Flags and artifacts made a colorful display at the event. |
 Breeze,
a new distance delivery system, was used for the in-service. Nathan
Sauer of WOU's Computing Services
unit is shown using video equipment and computer. |
In-service focuses on serving Latinos
Serving Latino Consumers in VR is a seminar held at WOU Feb. 15-16, 2007. The seminar, designed for students in Rehabilitation Counselor Education (RCE) as well as vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselors, was delivered via "breeze" distance technology through Utah State University.
Presenters were Jaime Silva, M.S. CADC 1, and a WOU RCE graduate; and Lilia Araujo, M.S. Both are Latino and serve Latino clients in Oregon. Participants gathered at WOU and in areas around Oregon. This seminar reflected efforts of Linda Keller, WOU associate professor, with Oregon VR to plan and prepare in-service training for both RCE students and VR counselors on important topics in the field of rehabilitation counseling. For more information e-mail Keller or phone 503-838-8322.
NPR interview