Radford University Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 6915, Radford, Virginia 24142
Radford University students Courtney L. Sutherland, Dianne R. Vinsh, Aphroditi Gouvousis, Carla Addison, and Kristen M. Riley line up (l. to r.) to express their thanks for receiving scholarships from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia.*
Photo: Lora Gordon/Radford University

The Scottish Rite's donations to the Communication Sciences and Disorders Department at Radford University have helped to strengthen our program and have enhanced our ability to treat the clients that attend the Radford University Speech and Hearing Clinic. As the son of two educators, I experienced firsthand the importance of education and the development of appropriate language skills, and during my academic career at Radford University in the field of Speech Language Pathology, I have seen my own clients benefit and improve through language intervention. In addition, your philanthropy has benefited my graduate research project, which concentrates on language development in rural Southwest Virginia. Thank you so much!

Courtney L. Sutherland

There are many things that have happened to me during my lifetime that were unexpected and a source of delight. Receiving the award from the Scottish Rite Foundation of Virginia is at the top of that list, especially since I am age 44 and only now pursuing a degree in speech-language pathology. My most recent endeavor, prior to returning to academia, was as a business partner in a chain of bookstores for twelve years. It was a most rewarding work experience for me, but I simply did not feel it was what I was meant to do with my life. Undergraduate studies in communication science disorders led me to speech-language pathologies, particularly the area of aphasia, which is the focus of my research project. I consider it an honor to be among the ranks of Scottish Rite Fellowship recipients. Thank you for your confidence in me.

Dianne R. Vinsh

The receipt of a prestigious Scottish Rite Fellowship has allowed me to enter my second year as a graduate student at Radford University studying speech-language pathology. Initially, I became interested in this field at the age of nine when my cousin was diagnosed with autism. I am now exploring the most effective modalities of therapy for autism, particularly Carol Gray's novel "social story" intervention technique. Its success in improving an autistic child's response to social situations within a short period of time is very promising. Thank you to all Scottish Rite members for giving me the opportunity to participate in research on this important topic.

Aphroditi Gouvousis

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dewese, it is a very special and meaningful honor for me to receive the Scottish Rite Fellowship named in your honor. I am, like you Mr. Dewese, from a small town in southwestern Virginia, and I am the first college student in my family. I intend to use the good fortune of your support of my studies at Radford University to help others, especially children, so that they can develop and maintain the important gifts of speech and language. I look forward to meeting you both at the university's "Partners in Excellence Banquet." It will be a great honor for me to meet the wonderful people who, through the Scottish Rite, have made my graduate studies at Radford University a reality. I sincerely thank you for your generosity, and I hope I can live up to the excellence on which this award is based.

Carla Addison

A non-traditional student, I have been married for over 10 years, working and going to school part-time while my husband earned his degree in secondary education. He is now a chemistry teacher for Roanoke County Schools. We have a three-year-old daughter, Marissa, who is my inspiration. I obtained my B.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Radford University in May of 2000 and have enjoyed my first year of graduate school here. My family and I love southwest Virginia, and we plan on staying in the area. I look forward to meeting everyone that I can who is even remotely responsible for giving me this opportunity, and I could never express my appreciation with just words. Thanks again from the bottom of my heart.

Kristen M. Riley

*Of these five research scholarships, three are funded by Ill. David Kruger, 33°, S.G.I.G. in Virginia, one by the Valley of Roanoke, and one by Bro. George E. Dewese, 32°, K.C.C.H., Valley of Roanoke, and his wife, Matsue Yamazaki. Bro. Dewese also supports 15 other scholarships under the aegis of the Scottish Rite in the College of Business and Economics at Radford University.