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Update from the Department Chair
 Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Summer Greetings!
It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the latest edition of the University of Kansas Department of Special Education’s Special Education Connection. This annual publication provides an excellent opportunity to share some of the exciting work taking place at KU with more than 3,000 Special Education alumni, friends, and students. Here are just a few highlights that you’ll learn more about in this issue:
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This has been an extraordinary year for the Department as we’ve celebrated our 50th anniversary. Through a series of invited lectures, faculty writing projects, award receptions, and new service citations, this year we’ve honored the Department’s remarkable past and set in motion some outstanding new traditions.
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This spring the Department saw some very significant personnel changes. After more than 70 years of combined service to the Department, Dr. Jerry Chaffin and Dr. Gary Clark both retired. Dr. Chaffin is highly respected as a special education technology innovator. Since the late 1960s, he has been on the forefront of instructional technology development for special education teachers and students with disabilities. Since about the same time, Dr. Clark has been a leading advocate for older students with disabilities and their families. He is internationally known as one of the founding fathers of the special education transition movement. His research, writing, and advocacy have changed public thinking, policy development, and educational opportunities for older students with disabilities. Today he remains a prolific writer and an active public speaker. Earlier this spring Dr. Clark and Dr. Chaffin both received KU professor emeritus appointments. This designation is only given to a small number of outstanding retiring faculty.
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In May Dr. Brenda Myles resigned her KU faculty appointment to allow more time for her advocacy efforts on behalf of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their families. As an internationally recognized ASD expert, Dr. Myles is actively engaged in research, publishing, and professional development initiatives in the U.S. and around the world. Last but certainly not least, Ms. Lynda Schoonmaker, a dedicated member of the Special Education staff for more than 33 years, retired in April. Ms. Schoonmaker’s abundant patience, good humor, meticulous attention to detail, and thorough understanding of KU’s accounting system ensured the lights stayed on and thousands of travel reimbursements were paid!
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We wish Jerry, Gary, Lynda, and Brenda the very best as they embark on new and exciting chapters in life. Their tremendous contributions to KU—more than 150 years of combined service—have helped the Department achieve and maintain its international reputation for special education innovation and excellence. If you would like to send congratulatory messages to these colleagues, cards can be sent to: KU Department of Special Education, 521 Joseph R. Pearson Hall, 1122 West Campus Road, Lawrence, KS 66045. Searches for new faculty will begin in August 2008.
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Because of the efforts of the colleagues noted above and the work of those you will read about in this newsletter, the KU Department of Special Education has long been regarded as one of the top special education graduate programs in the country. Recently, the 2009 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best Graduate Schools was published and Kansas was selected as the top program—among more than 1,200 public and private special education preparation programs.
I hope you find this issue of the Special Education Connection newsletter interesting and worthwhile! This publication would not be possible without the tireless efforts and creativity energy of its editor Ms. Kaye Cherry who oversees most of the Department’s communication. Kaye’s organization and meticulous attention to detail ensure both the quality and content of the Connection and the Department’s website http://specialeducation.soe.ku.edu. If you find this information helpful or have suggestions for future issues and improvements, please write Kaye at kcherry@ku.edu.
Wishing you a very pleasant summer!
Best regards,
Chriss
Chriss Walther-Thomas, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
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Special Education
Joseph R. Pearson Hall,
Rm. 521
1122 West Campus Rd.
University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045 3101phone: (785) 864-0556
fax: (785) 864-4149
kuseconnect@ku.edu
Related Info
KU Special Education marks 50 years
Inaugural class completes early childhood program with high marks
Student-led group promotes student involvement and leadership
Technology opens door for advancing research, teaching and public service
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