College of Health Sciences Faculty Receive Highest Award from ASHA

LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 28, 2015) —Two University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences faculty members will receive the highest award given by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Robert C. Marshall, and Joseph C. Stemple, professors in the Division of Communication Sciences and Disorders, will be recognized with the Honors of the Association at the ASHA annual convention, which will be held in in November in Denver. 

The Honors of the Association recognizes members for their distinguished contributions to the discipline of communication sciences and disorders and is the highest honor the association bestows. The Honors of the Association recognize individuals whose contributions have been of such excellence that they have enhanced or altered the course of the field of speech, language and hearing professions.

Marshall and Stemple are the first from Kentucky to receive the Honors of the Association.

“This award of national prominence demonstrates the excellence of our faculty,” said Scott M. Lephart, dean of the College of Health Sciences. “The fact that Drs. Marshall and Stemple are the first recipients from the Commonwealth further underscores the importance of the work we are doing at the College of Health Sciences. Our faculty is making a local, statewide, and national impact.”

“It’s a tremendous honor for Drs. Marshall and Stemple that exemplifies one of the highest levels of achievement in communication sciences and disorders,” said Anne Olson, division director Communication Sciences and Disorders. “Dr. Marshall’s career in aphasia and Dr. Stemple’s career in clinical voice disorders have been experienced through multiple lenses: clinical, academic, and research. Thus they understand the impact of speech and language disorders from both the human and scientific dimensions. As colleagues, we are proud of them, but more importantly we are thrilled for our graduate students in speech language pathology who have the opportunity to learn from true giants in their respective fields.”

Marshall’s selection was based on his years of sustained research, scholarship, teaching and service activities within the profession that spanned from the public schools, to the Veterans Administration and academia in Oregon, Rhode Island and Kentucky. He has held clinical and leadership positions in all employment settings and is widely regarded for his scholarly expertise in aphasia.

“Receiving the Honors of the American Speech-Language-Association is a high point of a very satisfying professional career. I am humbled by this award,” Marshall said. “I am grateful to my sponsor, Dr. Lee Ann Golper, my co-sponsors Drs. Kathryn Yorkston and Rosemary Lubinski, and the many professional colleagues who supported my nominations. I feel blessed to have been taught by those who overlooked my weaknesses and nurtured my strengths and inspired by my patients, students, professional colleagues, and employers. These forces, along with the support of my family every step of the way, have been the ‘wind beneath my sails.’ I feel very blessed to have had a job in which going to work every day was something to truly look forward to.”

Stemple’s selection was based on his unique ongoing research, scholarship, teaching and service activities within the profession, that include his development of centers of excellence for voice care, voice research and educational opportunities, his prolific publication record, including textbooks and scholarly manuscripts, as well as his international reputation as a dynamic presenter on issues related to the voice across the lifespan. 

The UK College of Health Sciences offers undergraduate and graduate/professional programs in: Athletic Training, Clinical Leadership and Management, Clinical Nutrition (in collaboration with the College of Medicine), Communication Sciences and Disorders, Human Health Sciences, Medical Laboratory Science, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Rehabilitation Sciences.

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu