The NSSLHA chapter of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee is excited about the 2009-2010 academic year! We have eight new officers and two faculty advisors who are passionate, energetic, and ready to fulfill our mission! The WCU NSSLHA Chapter is involved in several fundraising, service, and social events this year.
Fundraising Events Include:
- Mountain Heritage Day Festival on September 26th, in which students will sell drinks and baked goods to help raise money for our program, Communication Sciences and Disorders. Through the funds raised, WCU NSSLHA may help send a student to the ASHA convention, provide funding for service events, and provide meals and supplies for events such as the Spring banquet for graduates.
Service Events include:
- Operation Christmas Child, a program funded by Samaritans Purse. WCU NSSLHA members, as well as other students and faculty at WCU will be preparing gift-filled shoeboxes to bring joy and hope to children across the globe. Our goal this year is 100 boxes! NSSLHA is supporting student efforts by hosting a Wrapping Party where dinner, wrapping paper, and wrapping assistance will be provided. This year’s theme for the Wrapping Party is “Tacky Christmas”. Prizes will be given to the person or persons with the tackiest Christmas attire! For more information on Operation Christmas Child, visit http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/
- Collaboration with Pathways for the Future, a Center for Independent Living facility that provides services for individuals with disabilities in our community with the goal of maintaining their civil rights options, controlling choices in their lives, and the freedom to participate fully in their communities. WCU NSSLHA is supporting Pathways by participating in an event entitles Hair Wars, through which funds will be raised for Center. We will help support pathways by helping in the planning and organization until the event takes place in the early Spring. Through our efforts, we and our friends at Pathways are hoping for 500 participants and attendees! For more information on Pathways, visit http://www.pathwayscil.org/
- A brand new 5K Event. NSSLHA will be hosting a 5K in March of 2010. Proceeds will go to support the WCU NSSLHA chapter and Full Spectrum Farms. Full Spectrum Farms is a local non-profit organization working to create a residential farm for adults with autism. Services for adults with disabilities are in great need and the farm would create an environment in which adults with autism can find independence. Full Spectrum Farms recently acquired a private donation to purchase 34 acres of land so funding is now needed to build the farm. Come to the 5k to walk or run for a fantastic cause! For more information about Full Spectrum Farms, visit http://www.fullspectrumfarms.org
- Family Night at the WCU Speech and Hearing Clinic: WCU NSSLHA is also a proud sponsor of Family Night at the WCU Speech and Hearing Clinic. Family Night is a spring event where families receiving services through our clinic will be provided an opportunity to meet and network with other families, as well as faculty and students. NSSLHA will provide meals and childcare for the event, as well as develop resources to contribute.
- Cullowhee Conference. WCU NSSLHA is also a sponsor of the Cullowhee Conference on Communicative Disorders, a spring event implemented by our department to provide continuing education opportunities to SLP’s in our local and surrounding communities.
In addition to service, we strive to build relationships and camaraderie among our student members and faculty.
Social Events Include:
- The Buddy System that links 1st and 2nd year graduate students together for support through the graduate school experience.
- Halloween Party for which the entrance fee will be a canned food item to help with a local food drive in the community. Prizes will also be awarded to the best costume.
- Faculty-Student Softball Game is a spring event that provides students and faculty members in the department with an opportunity to interact and have fun outside of the classroom in a fun, but competitive game of softball.
As you can see, WCU NSSLHA is striving to make a difference in our department, our community, and the world! For more information, visit our Facebook page (NSSLHA WCU chapter) or contact the 2009-2010 NSSLHA officers or advisors!
2009-2010 WCU NSSLHA Members List
Co-presidents: Tyra Minton tdminton1@catamount.wcu.edu
Rhian Vanderburg revanderburg1@catamount.wcu.edu
Secretary: Meg Miers memiers1@catamount.wcu.edu
Treasurer: Michael Taylor mataylor6@catamount.wcu.edu
Historian: Linley Shea Johnson lsjohnson3@catamount.wcu.edu
Faculty and Student Liaison: Nicole McRight ndmcright1@catamount.wcu.edu
Undergraduate Susan Clemens srclemons1@catamount.wcu.edu
Liaisons: Ana Mendes acmendes1@catamount,wcu.edu
Faculty Kimberly Crawford kcrawford@wcu.edu
Advisors: Laura Trivette ltrivette@wcu.edu