50 Years of Communication and Community

The year 1973 was an eventful one full of political, social and cultural change across the nation and the world. The campus in Radford was no exception, as Radford College stepped into the future with a new co-ed identity and intensified academic ambitions as it approached university status.

1973 also saw the foundation of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD), soon to become a signature program of Radford’s and a key player in the university’s community outreach.

“I’m humbled at the thought of how many children and adults with communication disorders have received services from our alumni over the past 50 years,” said Diane Millar, chair of the department. “It is heartwarming to think about so many faculty and students over the course of a half century who have spent time in our program, all with a single shared passion to serve and advocate for individuals.”

The profession of speech pathology began in the early 1900s with so-called “speech correctionists,” who focused on stuttering and oral speech for individuals with hearing impairments, Millar said. At Radford, basic survey courses in communication disorders were first taught during the 1972-1973 academic year. The courses were offered in the speech and theatre department of the School of Arts and Sciences, housed in Porterfield Hall. Three master’s-level faculty members started the bachelor’s degree program in 1973, and the department name became Speech, Theatre and Communication Disorders. The first B.S. and B.A. degrees for communication disorders majors were awarded in 1975.

From its early days, the program was centered on serving adults and children in the community around Radford, keeping it on pace with the many changes in the field of communication sciences and disorders. Millar said one of the department’s greatest strengths is its on-campus clinic, a learning space where students practice implementing the therapy strategies they learn in their courses.

Our clinic has two purposes: to provide opportunities for our students to begin their clinical practice and to serve our community.

“Many of our 60-80 clients are unable to access services due to limited resources, and we are very grateful donor support has allowed us to provide therapy at no cost to the client,” Millar added. “We have children who attend our clinic after school, we provide services to toddlers at the Radford Early Learning Center, and our Radford University Brain Injury (RUBI) Center serves adults who have experienced a wide range of brain injuries. We also provide a support group for individuals in the community who have experienced brain injuries and their family members. In the summers, we offer a wide range of intensive pediatric programs, all supported by the Scottish Rite Masons of Virginia.”

The department’s association with the Scottish Rite also recently celebrated an anniversary – 30 years of a glowingly successful partnership. The enduring alliance has seen the Scottish Rite contribute over $1 million to the cause, a testament to its commitment to fostering communication skills in children and supporting the next generation of professionals in the field.

The Scottish Rite’s generosity has allowed the clinic, designated as a RiteCare Clinic, to offer specialized summer programs to preschool and school-aged children. These programs provide a lifeline for youngsters with communication challenges. The transformative impact of these initiatives is best exemplified through the stories of children who have emerged from the clinic with newfound confidence in their ability to communicate effectively.

The summer programs are more than just a respite for children; they represent a dedicated effort to bridge gaps in speech and language development. Through tailored activities, hands-on therapies and the support of skilled clinicians, children not only improve their communication skills but also form connections with their peers in a nurturing environment.

“The Scottish Rite Masons of Virginia are one of the most generous, caring and active groups of individuals with an interest in language and literacy,” Millar said. “They have provided funding to support student clinical research fellowships, donations of toys and supplies to our clinic and funding to support our clinical services. Each year, they join us for a luncheon on campus and participate in our summer program.”

Beyond the direct impact on children, the Scottish Rite’s benevolence extends to graduate students pursuing studies in communication sciences and disorders. The partnership has facilitated the creation of research and service scholarships, empowering the next wave of professionals to delve into groundbreaking research and contribute to the community.

Looking ahead, the university and the Scottish Rite remain steadfast in their commitment to advancing the field of communication sciences and disorders and increasing the program’s excellence.

“One of our goals as a department has been to increase our faculty-student research collaborations at both the undergraduate and graduate levels,” Millar said. “Honors students have the opportunity to complete a capstone research study under the supervision of a faculty member with a shared interest. In addition, undergraduates who are not a part of the

honors program also have many opportunities to dip their toes in the research arena through independent studies. Our faculty and students have collaborated on a wide range of projects, regularly presenting at local, state and national conferences.”

COSD students continue to have an impact after graduating, serving their communities through the hands-on expertise they began gaining as undergraduates.

“We are in awe of so many of our alumni,” Millar said. “Many have continued to stay connected to our program as clinical supervisors for our graduate students. Alumni have regularly returned to the classroom as guest speakers to share their experiences since graduating and talk about their specialized clinical practice. We have had students become directors of rehabilitation services, traveling therapists and business owners. We are so proud of their successes.”

In a way, the evolution of the field is bringing COSD full circle – close to its origins in the performing arts department, as the university gears up for the opening of the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity.

“We partner with music therapy in our on-campus clinic, and faculty in the music department teach portions of our graduate course in voice,” Millar said. “We would love to continue to grow our relationships with faculty and students in art, dance and music because the arts have so many beneficial applications in therapy and rehabilitative services.”

Through innovation and dedication, COSD and its graduates look ahead to a bright future, with its 50th birthday a celebration of everything that’s to come.

“I am in my 19th year in the department,” Millar said. “When I think about how much we have grown and strengthened as a department up to this point in time, I am truly delighted imagining our evolution over the next 50!”