We depend on the generous support of our community partners, alumni, and friends to help us provide hands-on, real-world training to our students, in their service of the communication needs of people from around central Indiana and beyond. Your donation to our general fund (#8305), will support and advance the speech-language pathology and pre-audiology undergraduate programs as well as the Master of Speech Language Pathology and Doctor of Audiology graduate programs. The programs include nearly 300 students, who provide services to over 2700 clients through our speech and audiology clinics each year. Your donations will aid faculty in creating unique learning experiences in the classroom, in our clinics and in the community. Take a moment, to check out some of the important work our students and faculty have been doing together over this last year...and thank you for your support!
- The LOUD Crowd Parkinson’s voice group meets weekly through a grant funded by the Parkinson’s Voice Project.
- Students and faculty provide hearing screenings for Muncie and Anderson Head Start Centers.
- An interdisciplinary Falls Risk Prevention Program is being offered to the community. The course teaches community members about ways to lessen their risk of falling and improve balance and physical strength.
- Students are designing a literacy clinic to address the needs of children in our community who don't have the necessary language and literacy skills to enter kindergarten or who are struggling with literacy in grades K through 3.
- In collaboration with kinesiology our faculty and students are studying markers of cardiovascular health and hearing loss, and effects of a simulated equine therapy seat for the treatment of ADHD.
A fund has also been established in memory of Dr. Richard Hoops (#8324). This fund will carry on Dr. Hoops' strong commitment to helping both our students as well as clients seeking services in our on-campus clinics.
Dr. Richard Hoops joined the faculty of Ball State University in 1956. During his tenure of 39 years he served as chairperson for 35 years. It was under his leadership that the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology was established. Since Dr. Hoops was dual certified in speech-language pathology and audiology he educated and mentored students in both professions across the state of Indiana. Dr. Hoops is remembered for his larger than life personality. He saw the whole person before him, beyond just their roles as students, coworker or client. He took an interest in and was curious about their lives in and out of the academic setting. He was not only focused on expanding and improving the department at Ball State University, but was also active in promoting and protecting the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology within the state of Indiana. Dr. Hoops was president of the Indiana Speech & Hearing Association for two terms. He was instrumental in implementing professional development opportunities across the state of Indiana and was part of the founding members who established an annual state Speech Pathology and Audiology convention.
