Anonymous Gift to Transform Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders
For more than a half-century, Baylor’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders has been serving the local community and producing graduates whose work as speech-language pathologists has improved the lives of thousands of children and adults around the world.
Now the department is looking toward the next 50 years as a time of expanding horizons. That’s due to a gift of $10 million made in July by Baylor alumni who wish to remain anonymous.
“Through this truly transformational gift, these generous and forward-looking champions of Baylor have given the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders the means to realize many long-held dreams,” said Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr. “While these remarkable alumni have chosen to remain anonymous, the power of their gift will be well known and appreciated throughout the State of Texas and the nation as the department grows in stature and its graduates go out into the world to provide exceptional professional service to those in need.”
The gift gives the department the power to transform its students’ educational experience, expand its service to those with speech-language needs in Texas and position the department for national impact as a leader in the field of speech language pathology.
In particular, the gift will allow the department to significantly expand the capacity of its graduate program. The expansion of the graduate program — a major goal of the department — will be boosted by modernizing clinical facilities, creating new faculty positions and upgrading technology. Funds from the anonymous gift also will be used to enhance leadership, with the creation of an endowed chair that will enable Baylor to attract a prominent scholar and visionary to direct the program’s growth.
“There is very high demand for skilled healthcare professionals with expertise in communication sciences and disorders,” said Edwin Trevathan, MD, executive vice president and provost. “The need for superior research and scholarship in disorders of the ear and brain that impact speech, understanding and hearing has never been greater.”
The gift’s most immediate effect will be the relocation of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders from Neill Morris Hall to Cashion Academic Building, which will be renovated for the program’s needs. Approximately 18,000 square feet on the building’s first floor will provide space for the Baylor Speech and Hearing Clinic. This professional clinical division of the department provides more than 10,000 hours of community service each year to speech-language and hearing-impaired children and adults. The clinic’s new location in Cashion will provide more functional space and easy public access for those being seen in the clinic.
The department annually hosts Camp Success, a free intensive literacy and language program for children diagnosed with language and reading disorders and one program that will be impacted by this generous gift. Since 2003, Baylor students and faculty members have provided this four-week program to approximately 1,000 Camp Success participants who receive 50 hours of one-on-one therapy — equivalent to a full year’s worth of work in many school districts. Participants sometimes see dramatic improvement due to the attention of Baylor undergraduate and graduate students and faculty. The Baylor students, in return, receive outstanding experience as they prepare for full-time positions in the field.