Lauren Brockman (left) and Sarah Elizabeth Buckner (right) were presented with the Stillman Award at a luncheon hosted by Dr. Robert Stillman (center) and Dr. Thomas Campbell, executive director of the Callier Center and Sara T. Martineau Endowed Professor.
Two graduate students received the UT Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders’ annual Robert D. Stillman, Ph.D. Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Established in 2010, the Stillman Award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional academic, clinical and leadership skills while participating in the Master of Science program. The award is named after the current program head and associate dean of UT Dallas’ School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
Lauren Brockman and Sarah Elizabeth Buckner were chosen for this year’s honors, which included $500 awards. A committee of communication disorders faculty members screened potential candidates and selected the winners.
“We have so many truly amazing students in our program that selecting only two was certainly difficult,” Stillman said. “While Lauren and Sarah Elizabeth exemplify the best of our students, they stand out because of the contributions they have made to our program and faculty.”
As a research assistant, Brockman aided Dr. Pamela Rollins on projects concerning autism spectrum disorders.
“Having a communication disorder cannot only be extremely isolating (and) debilitating but also very frustrating. Because of this, being able to provide clients with a support system along with techniques for improvement will be incredibly fulfilling.”
Laura Brockman,
Stillman awardee
“She has also been a very effective recruiter for us,” Stillman said. “We now have more applicants from the University of Oklahoma (her alma mater) than ever before, and I thank Lauren for that.”
Brockman, who will graduate in December, said she has enjoyed her time at Callier and looks forward to continuing to work with adults throughout their rehabilitation.
“It has been such a comfortable and positive environment to learn how to become a speech pathologist,” Brockman said. “Having a communication disorder cannot only be extremely isolating (and) debilitating but also very frustrating. Because of this, being able to provide clients with a support system along with techniques for improvement will be incredibly fulfilling.”
Buckner worked as the graduate assistant in the preverbal communication program, where she helped children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders develop their communication skills. “She also served as a mentor for the whole ‘generation’ of new students who were trying out their clinical skills for the first time,” Stillman said.
Buckner graduated in May, and she plans to begin her career by increasing her knowledge and experience in speech-language pathology in a medical center setting.
“I feel so blessed that the faculty has chosen to reward my work during my time at Callier,” Buckner said. “I respect the faculty and staff at Callier so much and have looked to them for guidance throughout my academic career. My hope is that I will be able to now look to them as colleagues for their continued wisdom and support.”
Brockman and Buckner were presented with the Stillman Award at a luncheon hosted by Dr. Stillman and Dr. Thomas Campbell, executive director of the Callier Center and Sara T. Martineau Endowed Professor.