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SHAA Scholarships

Scholarship Recipients  |  Donate  | In MemorY Of

SHAA has a scholarship program for students in the graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders in Alabama.  It is funded by the Memorial Scholarship Fund, begun in 2009.  The scholarships awarded honor various SHAA members who have made significant contributions to SHAA. 

SHAA presents scholarships during the Annual Convention.  Please check back in November for the application which awards the following:

• Two $500 scholarships, one each to a graduate audiology student and a graduate speech-language pathology student, based on applications submitted by students themselves. 
• Six $100 scholarships to outstanding students recognized by their professors in Alabama's university graduate programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders. 

Winners of scholarships must:

• Send either a print or digital photo to the Honors Committee Chair by January 31st.

Make a Donation to the SHAA Memorial Scholarship Fund

Donations are tax-deductibLE

In Memory Of . . .

Ron Goldman
Dr. Ronald Goldman, 81, passed away on August 18, 2015. Born in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Goldman was a world-renowned speech-language pathologist as well as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. Selfless, honest, and kind-hearted, Dr. Goldman was held in the highest regard by all who knew him. Dr. Goldman was a loving and devoted husband to his wife of 61 years, Frada Mae.  Dr. and Mrs. Goldman have three daughters, Laurie, Jan, and Karen; five grandchildren, Ryan, Jordan, Joshua, Kelly, and Kimberly; and two great-grandchildren, Lilly and Emma. Dr. Goldman valued his family and friends immensely, employing the wisdom and care that built his career to his personal life.

Dr. Goldman was a leader in the profession of speech-language pathology and audiology for over 40 years. Dr. Goldman earned his MS and PhD degrees in speech and hearing from the University of Pittsburgh. He later served as a professor at Tulane University, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was the director of speech-language pathology as well as the training director of a large interdisciplinary training program at the Sparks Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders and was named professor emeritus in the school’s Department of Biocommunication in 1995.

During his career, Dr. Goldman published numerous research articles on auditory processing, articulation, and fluency disorders. He was one of the first to foresee the need for and then develop assessment procedures and remedial programs that could be employed with very young children. The tests and programs developed by Dr. Goldman include the Goldman-Fristoe-Woodcock Test of Auditory Discrimination, Goldman-Fristoe-Woodcock Auditory Skills Test Battery, Goldman-Lynch Sounds and Symbols Development Kit, Listening to the World and Auditory Skills Assessment (ASA). The Goldman-Fristoe Test of Articulation is one of the most frequently employed diagnostic procedures used by speech-language pathologists in the United States.   

Dr. Goldman served on many committees and boards for ASHA, the Council for Exceptional Children [CEC], the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation [ASHF], the Louisiana Speech and Hearing Association, and SHAA. He served as president of the Tennessee Speech and Hearing Association, vice president for planning for ASHA, and the president of ASHF. He was also active as an associate editor for such publications as Topics in Language, Exceptional Children, Journal of Childhood Communication Disorders, and Journal of Language Disorders and Rehabilitation. He also served on numerous review boards for the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Education, and other federal agencies. Dr. Goldman was not only honored by SHAA with the Distinguished Achievement Award, he was an ASHA Fellow and receive their highest award, the Honors of the Association. In 2010, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation awarded Dr. Goldman the Frank R. Kleffner Clinical Career Award.

Gene Cooper
Dr. Eugene Bruce Cooper, 81, of Weston, FL, passed away on November 21, 2015.  Dr. Cooper was a world-renowned expert on stuttering, earning his undergraduate degree at SUNY Geneseo and receiving his doctorate from Penn State University.  Dr. Cooper’s career was a long and distinguished one.  Among other accomplishments, he and his wife Crystal authored over 150 publications.  A pioneer in the field of stuttering therapy, he developed the first commercially available assessment and treatment program for individuals who stutter. He chaired the Department of Communicative Disorders at the University of Alabama for 30 years, then served as a Professor and Chair Emeritus of the University of Alabama’s Department of Communicative Disorders and a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at Nova Southeastern University’s Program in Speech Language Pathology.  

Dr. Cooper was active in many professional associations during his career.  He served on the SHAA Committee on Professional Policies in the 1970s and helped rewrite the SHAA constitution in 1971, later serving as Chair of the SHAA Honors Committee.  His service also included work on the ASHA Legislative Council, heading the National Council of State Boards of Examiners in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, and two terms as a representative on ABESPA.  Dr. Cooper was awarded the Honors of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association in 1999, for his revolutionary contributions to the field of stuttering treatment and was appointed an ASHA Fellow, two of the highest honors possible in the profession. 

Pat LaCoste
SHAA President 2003 - 2007 and special friend  Lost her battle with cancer June 13, 2008

SHAA Memorial Scholarships
Recipients

These awards recognize outstanding students enrolled in each of the communication sciences and disorders academic training programs in Alabama.  Each award comes with a $100 scholarship for further studies.

2021
Outstanding Audiology Student - D'Essence Hampton
Outstanding SLP Student - MaKayla Stubblefield
Alabama A&M University - Laikin Spraggins
Auburn University - Lauren Allison
Faulkner University - Aliyah Simmons
Samford University - D'Essence Hampton
University of Alabama - Jessica Mann
University of Montevallo - Mary Caitlyn Schultz
University of South Alabama - Abigail Askew

2020
Alabama A&M University - Corinne Williams
Auburn University - Kirston Clinton
Samford University - Katee Nall
University of Alabama - Julia Miller
University of Montevallo - Natalie Martin
University of South Alabama - Mary Cazalas

2019
Outstanding Audiology Student - Aryn Clark
Outstanding SLP Student - Rachel Mauldin
Alabama A&M - Kelsey Aultman
Auburn University - Morgan Fritz
Faulkner University - Caitlyn Barnes
Samford University - Mary Allison Tyner
University of Alabama - Carrie Mitros
University of Montevallo - Meredith Varner
University of South Alabama - Sarah Clancy

2018
Outstanding Audiology Student - Lauren Hall
Outstanding SLP Student - Holly Adams
Alabama A&M - Kate Vandiver
Auburn University - Megan Barnett
Samford University - Erin Sellers
University of Alabama - Lacy Dent
University of Montevallo - Sidney McElroy
University of South Alabama - Laura Hoover

2016
Outstanding Audiology Student - Kelsey Thomas
Outstanding SLP Student - Elizabeth Wesson
Alabama A&M - Bethany Butt
Auburn University - Danielle Sacchinelli
Samford University - Caroline Todd
University of Alabama - Audrey Wood
University of Montevallo - Carrie Price
University of South Alabama - Giang Truong

2015
Outstanding Audiology Student - Rodney Brannan
Outstanding SLP Student - Monique Harris
Alabama A&M - Allie Raring
Auburn University - Charlie Ann Grimes
University of Alabama - Lindsay Kolb
University of Montevallo - Christina Burgunder
University of South Alabama - Kelsey Williams

2014
Outstanding Audiology Student - Haylee Lamb
Outstanding SLP Student - Elizabeth Oldfield
Alabama A&M - Latoya Christopher
Auburn University - Lindsay Ruth Bush
University of Alabama - Rachel Glass
University of Montevallo - Michelle Dailey
University of South Alabama - Lori Foran

2013
Alabama A&M - Jennifer Edgeland
Auburn University - Amanda Bradley
University of Alabama - Sara Phillips
University of Montevallo - Maranda Cochran
University of Southern Alabama - Chelsea Cagle

2012
Alabama A&M - Ginni Wood
Auburn University - Bradley Hess
University of Alabama - Ashley Hamlin
University of Montevallo - Caroline Bradford
University of South Alabama - Neina Ferguson

2011
Alabama A&M - Mariana Simpson
Auburn University - Meghan Brown
University of Alabama - Haley Sprague
University of Montevallo - Holley Arnold
University of South Alabama - Ashley Gaal

2010
Alabama A&M - Anya Nicole Gluszek
Auburn University - Blakely B. Mitchell
University of Alabama - Carissa Sweatman
University of Montevallo - Tiffany Bryant
University of South Alabama - Heather Lange

2009
Alabama A&M - Melissa Poindexter
Auburn University - Katherine Yendle
University of Alabama - Amanda Mennen
University of Montevallo - Katie Cornelius
University of South Alabama - Sommer Brock