Dr. Peter Ramig is retiring from SLHS after 33 years, leaving a professional legacy of local and national success. He has published numerous articles and textbook chapters on the topic of stuttering research and treatment. In addition, he has participated in the development of many professional training videos on stuttering through the Stuttering Foundation of America, presented workshops on stuttering intervention and research to thousands of professionals, and he shares authorship with Darrell Dodge in their popular 2009 second edition of the book for clinicians called The Child and Adolescent Stuttering Treatment and Activity Resource Guide. This 400-page book has hundreds of therapy activities and a DVD with many reproducible handouts written in both English and Spanish.

While Dr. Ramig was preparing to retire, we had an opportunity to ask him about memorable experiences in his life and work. He was shaped early by hard work in rural Wisconsin beginning in the farm fields with migrant workers at the age of eleven: “The first Spanish words I learned from the men were lots of swear words. I remember my father threatened to wash out mouth with soap if I did not stop using such words.

At 14 I left the fields and worked at a mink ranch shoveling mink manure until age 15. Once I saw how inhumanly these animals were treated just so someone can flaunt wearing fur, I began to understand how animals are so unnecessarily exploited. This experience was the beginning of my now long-held care and appreciation for all animals big and small. From there I worked for a local sod and flower farmer, Wes Hansche, until age 18. Wes made a big influence in my life. He was an old guy with a tough exterior who worked me hard and swore like a raunchy Marine, but he had a big heart once one got past his tough skin. He told me many times that my stuttering should not mean that I could not go to college and do well. That encouragement was something I needed to hear at that time in my life. When I think of Wes, I'm reminded how one person can so positively impact the life of another”. 

At age 19, when Vietnam was escalating, Dr. Ramig was drafted and ended up going into the Marine Corps and then on to Vietnam: "After the Marines, at age 22, I started as a college freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh where I met Dr. Hal Homann, Professor of Speech-Language Pathology and a person who had an obvious stuttering problem. Hal had a big influence in my life as well. He knew a lot about stuttering, was compassionate, counseled me to help me deal with Vietnam-related issues and served as a role model, as someone who stuttered and was successful working as a teacher in a university. Until I met Hal, I never realized that a stutterer could seek out a professorship that involved a great deal of teaching. Hal and I became good friends and continued so until his death a couple years ago. 

Others who had a profound influence in my life were Drs. Lois Nelson  and Barry Guitar from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both were people who stuttered and had made significant change themselves, and both specialized in stuttering treatment. Both contributed significantly to helping me change my stuttering, and as a result I began taking courses in SLP at Wisconsin and culminated my graduate training in the field at Purdue University several years later”. Peter received his MS degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and his doctorate from Purdue University

Peter described some of his earlier experiences at CU: “Finally, in 1989, earlier in my career at CU, I was fortunate to be invited by the famous Dr. Charles Van Riper to spend several days with him at his home in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Dr. Van Riper was a Founding Father of our profession and the worldwide authority at that time on the nature and treatment of stuttering. He was long retired from Western Michigan University and in failing health. The one-on-one time I had with him in his 133-year-old farm home was a great experience and was a motivating factor for me to focus my work much more on the treatment of persons who stutter.

I feel my more meaningful accomplishments over the past 33 years in SLHS at the University of Colorado have been with the many wonderful clients who stutter that I have worked with, and the several thousand undergrad and graduate students I have had the pleasure to teach over these 33 years. I'm also proud of the multi-million dollar corporate-sponsored Speech and Hearing Outreach Program that I developed and operated in Colorado and six other western states over a 10-year period of time. This screening and education program reached over 8000 clients, parents, and professionals during its tenure of operations”

Peter expressed strong appreciation for his tenure at CU: “I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked with so many wonderful CU undergraduate and graduate students over several decades. They have positively impacted me as I hope I have them. Similarly, my supportive SLHS colleagues have added to the enjoyment I feel in coming to the department everyday for so many years. They are all truly good people, and I'm truly fortunate to have had them in my professional life.

In concluding, Peter in turn offered strong encouragement to fellow SLPs, “I want to say one last time what I frequently have said to my graduate students over the years regarding treating persons who stutter.......... "You can be the impetus for helping change the lives of those who stutter!” "You can do this!"

Upon his retirement, Dr. Ramig plans to continue to do some consulting and writing. His footprints will certainly stay with SLHS.  Happy Retirement Dr. Ramig!

Kathe Perez, '86, has worked for more than 25 years helping people gain confidence in the way they speak. Since 2000, Kathe hasfocused her work on helping those in the transgender (TG) community discover their true voice. She recently announced the launch of EVA, an innovative application for transgendered voice clients. The initial launch of Eva provides two lessons — Eva Breathe and Eva Pitch. Kathe describes them as "...introductory lessons designed for both beginners and advanced students. They provide the programming or coding so your sensory/motor system incorporates the nuances of these two essential elements: abdominal/diaphragmatic breathing and pitch tuning. In all, there will be a total of three courses. Each course is focused on the abilities of the user and uses the 'Nine Elements of An Exceptional Feminine Voice' method", the basis of other products and courses Kathe has developed. The Official Launch of EVA was Saturday April 13th and it is now for sale world-wide. Congrats Kathe!

Kathe's Website

Amy Thrasher, Clinical Assistant Professor at SLHS shared wonderful news from former Child Learning Center parent Linda Roan-Yager. Linda's daughter, Miah Noel Yager, was accepted to the College of Charleston's REACH program where she'll attend next fall. Linda informed us that Miah "was actually accepted at every school she applied to! We want you guys to celebrate too because it truly does 'take a village,' and the great help Miah got in her early years certainly impacted her to become the person she is today." 

Linda mentioned that "Miah was at the CLC at about 18 months old from 1993-94 until she went to Kindergarten. She also received speech therapy at the clinic between 2 or 3 years of age and 2nd or 3rd grade and then some stuttering therapy in middle school. The CLC was instrumental in her development. I remember when she was so little and so well loved, encouraged, and challenged at the CLC like it was yesterday. She gave two speeches recently on the National level to boot! Please pass this message to Amy and other old CLC-ers."  Miah's sisters Juliana and Nikola aslo attended CLC. Linda still has Miah's parent-teacher journals as family artifacts.  

Miah, now 20 years old, recently spoke at a United Church of Christ Youth Event in 2012. As reported by UCC, "Taking the Elliott Hall stage at Purdue University by storm during the morning plenary July 13, Miah Noel Yager brought a brilliant smile, boundless energy and a resounding message to the UCC's National Youth Event 2012:

"I am about to do a new thing," said Miah, the youth keynote speaker, who has Down syndrome."I just graduated from high school and am going to college in the fall," said Miah, a graduate of Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado. "I need to learn to live without my parents, and I need to know what a dorm room looks like. I will make a way in the wilderness. "At one point in her speech, Miah had difficulty with her delivery. "Sorry about that," she said, smiling broadly. Her audience –– many of whom moved to tears at some point in the speech –– responded immediately with shouts of love and encouragement." See the full story and Miah in action HERE.  It isn't often that we are treated to alum stories from our former clients!

Thank you Linda and Amy for sharing this story and Congratulations to Linda and Miah! 

We lost an irreplaceable alumna on February 17th 2013. Maureen Kelly, born on September 22, 1958, passed away after a long illness. She was born and raised in Racine, WI, received her BA-SLP degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, then moved to Colorado where she completed her MA at CU. She graduated from SLHS (CDSS) in 1984 and worked with many Colorado children and families for decades thereafter. She was a diligent student and gifted clinician. "Moe" was loved and respected by her clients, adored by her friends, and brought a calm presence to all she met. 

Of her many interests, Maureen enjoyed photography, travel, and hiking and became a glass artist within the last decade. She wrote about her dying process which involved her creative gifts and those of her community. She guided a multitude of friends to create individual glass tiles for a fence in her back yard as part of Lafayette's "Alley Art Project".

In November, 2012 Maureen wrote, It's working. Grandmas, toddlers, friends, etc. any age have just dived right in, helping each other, working together. I spend my time listening to those who are stopping by. I have watched tile after tile be created and strung outside on the fence, shedding bright, colorful light into our small community. The project strongly paralleled Maureen's spirit. Her son Patrick, a CU alumni helped to make the art project a reality. Maureen's life journey and departure will be a lasting learning experience for all. 

The American Academy of Audiology (AAA) announced that Christine Yoshinaga-Itano, Ph.D., received the Jerger Career Award for Research in Audiology.  She will be honored at the Academy Honors and Awards Banquet in April during the Audiology NOW! Conference to be held in Anaheim, CA.

The Jerger Award "is given to a senior level audiologist with a distinguished career in audiology. Candidates must be members of the Academy, have at least 25 years of research productivity in audiology, as well as have made significant contributions to the practice and/or teaching of audiology."  

According the their website, "The AAA was founded in January of 1988 when a group of audiology leaders met at the invitation of Dr. James Jerger at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. The purpose of the study group was to establish an independent, freestanding national organization run by and for audiologists."

As of Fall 2012, Christie is serving as interim Chair of SLHS while Dr. Gail Ramsberger is on sabbatical leave. In addition to her Professorship in Audiology at SLHS, Christie also serves the Institute of Cognitive Science and the Center for Neurosciences at CU. She also teaches at the Dept. of Otolaryngology & Audiology at the CU-Denver campus and is involved in research at the Marion Downs Center. Her current special projects include working in early screening and intervention for children with autism and deafness and working with audiology students on infant speech discrimination.  

Staff and faculty at SLHS recently gathered to celebrate Brenda Dowell's 30 years of solid service to SLHS.

Brenda is currently the Assistant to the SLHS Chair. She began in 1982 and continues to provide valuable assistance to this day, not to mention that she probably has more historical knowledge of the department than most. She has seen legions of students, faculty, and clients pass through the department doors. She processes all payroll and accounting for the department and handles any issues related to faculty, including appointment, promotion, and tenure. Brenda was a recipient of the CU Chancellor’s Employee of the Year award (2005).

Brenda's hometown is Longmont, CO. She graduated from Niwot High School and went on to study accounting at Front Range Community College.  She currently lives in Erie, CO and is a proud wife, mother of 2 daughters and grandmother to grandson Jordan. 

CONGRATULATIONS BRENDA! We wish you many more satisfying years to come!

(update) Tonight our own Becky Roser, '75 receives a CU Alumni Recognition Award!

Becky is a CU alumni and former CU SLHS (CDSS) Department Clinical Supervisor and Director. She served on multiple advisory boards & committees at CU for the past three decades. Becky provided services in Denver, Adams, and El Paso Counties (DPS) from 1967 to 1974, then became a Doctoral student/Speech-Language trainee at the VA Medical Center for a year. She served as Chair for the Political Action Committee of the Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association and volunteer lobbyist at the Colorado Legislature in 1975. For her good work, she received an Outstanding Service Award from the Colorado Speech-Language-Hearing Association that same year.

From 1975 to 1978 Becky was Director of Speech and Hearing Services at the Mercy Medical Center in Denver and then became Clinical supervisor and Director of Clinical Services at the University of Colorado Boulder – Communication Disorders and Speech Science (then CDSS) from 1978 to 1988. Her responsibilities included budgeting and fund-raising for the comprehensive Speech and Hearing clinic on the Boulder Campus. She established a fifteen member citizen advisory board; coordinated or supervised graduate students in clinical practicum both on and off-campus and taught courses and supervised students in diagnostic and treatment services. With her husband Jim Roser, Becky helped to conceive and oversee the Roser Visiting Artist Program at CU. The Rosers also provided major support for the Alliance for Technology, Learning and Society Program (ATLAS) where Becky serves as a board member. 

Becky will be honored at the 83rd Annual Alumni Association Awards Ceremony Thursday, November 1, 2012 when the CU Alumni Association will showcase this year's winners and honor all previous award winners during the Back to Boulder Weekend/Homecoming Celebration. 

Congratulations Becky!

Recently our own Dr. Nicole Davis, '06, was appointed Associate Director of the Vanderbilt Reading Clinic, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville, Tennessee. The clinic serves students in grades K – 8, who are behind in reading or have learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, or intellectual disabilities. Nikki also serves as Research Assistant Professor, Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences; and Associate Director of the Education and Brain Sciences Lab. “Nikki has a tremendous passion for children with reading difficulties and their families stemming from her experiences with members of her family,” said Laurie Cutting, Ph.D., (Patricia And Rodes Hart Associate Professor of Special Education and Associate Professor of Psychology, Radiology, and Pediatrics at Vanderbilt). “This passion, combined with clinical and educational background, provides her with the outstanding knowledge necessary to ensure that the Clinic will continue to grow in capabilities and services to our community. Nikki comes to us with a wealth of knowledge about child development and Vanderbilt.” 

More about Nikki and her work in our current SLHS Alumni Spotlights 

Pro-Ed has just released a new book by Patty (Ogrodnick) Walton titled Fun with Fluency for the School-Age Child. It is focused on students ages 7- 12 and provides a step-by-step treatment process for clinicians. 

From Pro-Ed:

Congratulations Patty!

Congratulations to our 2012, Colorado Scottish Rite Scholarship recipients, Ms. Madison Atkins and Ms. Cheryl Schaller, both graduate scholars in their second year as MA-SLP scholars in SLHS. We are so very grateful to the Scottish Rite Foundation of Colorado that has provided this $5,000 award to selected SLHS graduate students each year since 2005, in the name and memory of Dwight A. Hamilton, a former Sovereign Grand Inspector General and President of the Foundation. 

Former alumni who have received this scholarship include:

Joni M. Oldroyd University of Colorado 2005

Rachael E. Glustrom University of Colorado 2005

Amy M. Mulligan University of Colorado 2006

Laura M. Wilson University of Colorado 2006

Danielle K. Cavallaro University of Colorado 2007

Amanda Vargo University of Colorado, 2007

Jennifer M. Leggette University of Colorado, 2008

Kimberly A. Turner University of Colorado 2009

Meghan K. Fitzgerald University of Colorado 2009

Rebecca L. McNeil University of Colorado 2010

Hannah L. Shippey University of Colorado 2010

Jocelyn R. Essler University of Colorado 2011

Loriann Schwartz University of Colorado, 2011

Ms. Melissa Klaer, another SLP graduate student has also been recognized as a Hilburn Scholar, a national scholarship in speech-language pathology offered by the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction. This scholarship is known as the Sam and Millie Hilburn Scholarship in the field of Childhood Language Disorders.

Rebecca L. McNeil University of Colorado 2010

Christina D. Wilkins University of Colorado, 2010

These students were chosen from an applicant pool of exemplary students because they have excelled in scholarship and demonstrate excellence and promise in clinical practice and they want to work with children with communication challenges in Colorado. Each will receive recognition at the Scottish Rite Temple on September 17^th, 2012.

CSHA Foundation News: Congratulations to Ms. Cheryl Schaller who was recently awarded the Elizabeth Jancocek Scholarship Award from the Colorado Speech Language and Hearing Foundation. We are so excited that one of our own received this recognition, given Betty is a beloved member of our faculty whose main concern now is enjoying her grandchildren and traveling the world given her retirement from SLHS. This award is given in recognition of excellence from the Foundation in Dr. Jancocek’s name. Congratulations Cheryl!