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Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation Awards

Valedictorian

Brooke Pugmire
Brooke Pugmire is working toward a dual degree in Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in severe. This semester she has been student teaching at Sunrise Elementary School. Brooke would like to thank her professors and advisors for the time and effort they have given to help her achieve her goals. She would also like to thank her family, near and far, for their loving support.

Scholar

Michelle Larson
Michelle Larson is a dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in severe. She is currently doing an internship at Ellis Elementary School in Logan. Michelle plans to teach Special Education in the Salt Lake City area next fall. She would like to thank her professors, advisors, and mentors for helping her to gain a quality education through their support and expertise. She would especially like to thank her parents and family for their love, support and good example.

Outstanding Students in Areas of Emphasis

Mild/Moderate Disabilities

Carrie Davis
Carrie graduated Magna Cum Laude in December 2001 with a dual major in Elementary Education and Special Education with an emphasis in mild/moderate. Carrie enjoys hiking, camping, archery, scrapbooking, dancing, and teaching. Carrie is thankful for the skills she has learned and for the practicum experiences provided through the Special Education program. She is honored to receive this award and would like to thank the Special Education faculty for all their support and encouragement.

Severe Disabilities

Christine Nielson
Christine Nielson will graduate Spring 2002 as a dual major with an emphasis in severe disabilities and early childhood special education. She is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and was the Special Education representative on the Education Council. She could not have survived school without the support of her terrific husband Blaine and her family. She'd like to thank all of her professors for an educational and entertaining two years!

Infants and
Preschoolers
w/Disabilities

Suzanne Landeen
Suzie is a dual major in early childhood and severe special education. She is from Salt Lake City, Utah. Suzie is married to Clark and has a beautiful little boy named Charlie. Suzie would like to thank her parents, husband, and all others that have helped her along the way. Suzie is honored to receive this award.

Graduate Program Awards

Outstanding
Doctoral
Student

Karen Hager
Karen wishes to express her gratitude for the opportunity to study in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation. She is honored to work with such a talented and dedicated faculty, and each day is grateful for their support and encouragement, as well as that of her fellow doctoral students. As always, she thanks her father, who encouraged her every pursuit.

Outstanding Graduate in the Master's Off-Campus Rehabilitation Counseling Program

Ruth Corson
Ruth Corson lives in Santa Rosa, California, and completed the Rehabilitation Counselor Education program in August 2001. She is now working with the Department of Veterans Affairs in Oakland, California as a vocational rehabilitation counselor and loves the work!! Ruth appreciates the patience and encouragement she received from her family throughout the program. She would also like to express her gratitude to the professors of the Rehabilitation Counselor Education program for the high caliber of professional knowledge and real-world skills they imparted, and to the support staff for the excellent services they provided.

Outstanding Graduate in the Master's On-Campus Rehabilitation Counseling Program

Veda Vick Charlton
Veda Vick Charlton is currently finishing her internship hours at the San Diego Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired. A Texas native, she left her heartland to attend school at Utah State University. Veda is extremely thankful for the experiences and mentorship she has received from the Department of Rehabilitation. She especially wishes to thank Dr. Hal Cain and Dr. Carl Cheney for their support and the many professional opportunities they have guided her towards.

Awards to Faculty

Teacher of
the year

Barbara Fiechtl
Barbara Fiechtl has been a clinical instructor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at USU for 14 years. She has worked in programs serving all ages of children with disabilities. Her main interests are in young children with disabilities and family-teacher interactions. She sees the USU students as a great group and appreciates the opportunity to work with them.

Advisor of
the year

Robert L. Morgan
Bob Morgan is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation. He has been at USU for 17 years. Bob's research interests include applied behavior analysis, transition from school to adulthood, and training of paraprofessionals.