Scholar: Rebecca Patton
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Disorders & Sciences)
Year Awarded: 2016
Rebecca Says: “I can’t thank Helen Wade enough for this award. It allows me to be one step closer to my career goals. Ms. Wade has been in the profession for over 30 years and has impacted the lives of so many, including future speech-language pathologists. It is such an honor to receive this award.”
Career Aspiration: Rebecca graduated from Boise State University and it was during her time there that she volunteered for a speech pathologist at the Elk’s Rehab Center and loved every second of it. In her senior year there, she applied to CSUN’s speech-language pathology graduate program because she knew it to be one of the best in the country. It is her goal to one day work in elementary schools and become a speech-language pathologist that students love to work with.
About the Scholarship: An instructor at CSUN for over 25 years, Helen Sherman-Wade remains active within the university through activities with the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, the Language, Speech and Hearing Center and the alumni chapter. She established this scholarship to support graduate students who have decided to further their education after already serving as speech-pathologists. It is also available to students who can clearly describe how a future as a speech-pathologist would impact their lives.
Scholar: Debra Safaee
Year Awarded: 2017
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Disorders & Sciences)
About the Scholarship: Mediscan Staffing Services is a provider of highly qualified professionals to schools and healthcare facilities throughout the country. The company believes that investing in higher education is the key to a satisfying and successful career. Mediscan created this scholarship in an effort to encourage high-caliber education and top-notch career opportunities to students in the Communication Disorders and Sciences Department. The scholarship is available to current students who plan to work as speech language pathologists upon graduation.
Scholar:
Joselyn Castro
Year Awarded: 2016
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Disorders & Sciences)
Joselyn Says: “Thank you to Ruth and Lee Forman for your generosity in funding this scholarship. I am extremely honored to be this year’s recipient. Your contribution made it possible to enroll and pay for my summer externship, ensuring that I complete my master’s program within two years. I thank you for your willingness to help me achieve my goals.”
Career Aspiration: Joselyn graduated magna cum laude from UCLA and decided to take a few years to work professionally to help her funnel her interest into a course of study for graduate school. She discovered her passion while working with children with special needs and their families as a behavior therapist. As a behavior therapist she had the opportunity to observe and learn about the therapeutic responsibilities of a school-based speech-language pathologist. This experience helped Joselyn develop patience, cultivate an enthusiasm for speech-language pathology and ultimately put her on the path to apply to the master’s program at CSUN. She is currently completing her externship at USC Keck Medical Center where she evaluates and treats voice disorder, cognition and dysphagia adult patients. Joselyn will graduate in fall 2016 with honors. She is certified in Lee Silverman Voice Therapy and is interested in pursuing a career in the communication sciences that deals with voice rehabilitation and transgender voice therapy.
About the Scholarship: Ruth Lindeck Forman is a Speech Language Pathologist and Speech Communication Specialist who received her master's degree from CSUN. She works to improve personal and cross-cultural communication and race relations through consulting, lecturing and writing. A desire to help students complete their degree programs in the department of Communication Disorders and Sciences led Ruth and her husband Lee to establish this scholarship endowment. They consider the gift a tribute to the department and to the education Ruth received at CSUN.
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cholar: Kent Melendez
Year Awarded: 2016
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Disorders & Sciences)
Kent Says: “If I had the chance to speak to Ms. Rothman I would say that it is an honor to be the recipient of her scholarship and I will continue [to] help children with communication impairments. CSUN is proud to have had such a remarkable and contributing member of society.”
Career Aspiration: As a student clinician Kent found a passion in helping individuals who are in need of augmentative alternative communication devices. He would like to advise families and help them utilize alternative means of communication if they have children with verbal communication difficulties. He wants people to know there are other ways to communicate and show the client that they have the power to communicate through devices and innovative technology.
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cholar: Rachel Cohen
Year Awarded: 2016
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Disorders & Sciences)
Rachel Says: “If I could speak to Ruth Rothman today, I would thank her for not only the financial assistance, but more so for being a true role model of a clinician that I may aspire to become in the future as a speech-language pathologist. Ruth saw the good in every child and devoted her life to serving children with speech and language disorders, and their families. Towards the end of her career she created this endowment fund for future speech-language pathologists. As a recipient of this award, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to invest all of my time and energy to the children I work with now and in the future.”
Career Aspiration: After Rachel moved from Israel to the United States as a child, she developed an affinity for learning new languages and discovering other cultures. That experience had a tremendous impact on her decision to become a speech-language pathologist. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Communication Disorders and Sciences from CSUN in 2015 and entered the master’s program that summer. Rachel enjoys working with children in schools and feels that in that environment she is able to see the child as a whole and provide intervention that is meaningful and functional. She has been involved in The Friendship Circle and The Help Group where she works with children who have special needs and disabilities. Rachel hopes to continue to serve these children in the future as a speech-language pathologist.
About the Scholarship: The late Ruth Rothman came from Russia with her family and learned from her parents at a young age the importance of helping others. At age 46, she began her education at CSUN, earning her bachelors in 1973 and then her masters in 1977, both in speech and communication disorders. Ruth created this scholarship for hardworking students who want to become teachers or therapists dedicated to helping children with communication difficulties.
Scholar: 
Emily Lumowa
Major: Speech-Language Pathology (Communication Disorders & Sciences)
Emily Says: “It means so much to me to receive this award. In my mind, it really reinforces the idea that I chose the right career for me; one that involves building collaborative relationships and making a positive difference in people’s lives by addressing something that is so incredibly important to the human experience--communication. I want to sincerely thank [Ms. Harris] for her thoughtfulness, generosity and for being a great example of altruism and excellence in clinical practice for those of us who are beginning our careers.”
Career Aspiration: Emily was born in Indonesia and moved to the United States when she was two and a half years old. She grew up in Ventura County and received a Bachelor of Science degree in communication sciences and disorders from Loma Linda University. She recently graduated and is excited to begin her career in speech-language pathology. Emily really enjoys working with children and the first step in her career will be providing speech and language therapy to children in a school setting.
About the Scholarship: Ruth Harris was the first full-time coordinator of the Language, Speech, and Hearing Center. Her career in the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences spanned nearly 30 years, and although she is now retired, she engages with the university as a volunteer and donor. Ruth established this award to help support a graduate student who has demonstrated strength in collaboration with fellow students, supervisors and other professionals. Award recipients are exemplar of effective and culturally sensitive communication and treatment–the hallmark of the field of speech pathology and audiology.
