CMU/Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center's First Au.D. Graduates Recognized

Working to juggle school, work and family hasn't been easy, but for four Central Michigan University/Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center audiology students the light is dawning at the end of the tunnel. Graduating this December from the CMU/VBWC online doctorate of audiology program are: Kim Barry an audiologist from Georgia; Gyl Kasewurm, a private practitioner in Michigan; Melanie Herzfeld, an audiologist from Long Island; and Lisa Hoover-Steinwart, a private practitioner from the Chicago area.

''We are very pleased to see our first Au.D. distance learning students complete the program,'' said Dan F. Konkle, Ph.D., CMU/VBWC audiology program director. ''These students exemplify the commitment and dedication it takes not only to make our program work so well, but also to enhance further the profession of audiology.''

''The strength of the program lies in our instructors. We are indeed fortunate to have such individuals as Linda Hood, Gus Mueller, Fred Bess, Anne Marie Tharpe, Patti McCarthy, Gene Bratt, Kris English, Bob Keith, Steve Sinclair, Todd Ricketts, Nancy Vause, Dick Danielson, Cheryl Deconde Johnson, Dawn Nelson and Faith Aiken as part of our teaching faculty,'' said Konkle.

While the program is designed to accommodate the lives of busy students/practitioners, it was also planned to provide them with a strong academic base.

''I was definitely pleased with the program,'' said Hoover-Steinwart. ''CMU has a very strict academic program with a very good reputation. I did not want it to be easy. This degree is very meaningful.''

For many of the program's participants it was the ability to take classes through distance learning that enabled them to fit the course work into already full schedules.

''The CMU program was a terrific experience,'' said Barry. ''When I started the Au.D. program, it had been 20 years since my last college experience. I was concerned about having the time to study, since I work full-time during the day and serve as chauffeur to my two sons in the evening and on weekends. Distance learning gave me the freedom to study when I could work it into my schedule.''

Many graduates said that they were skeptical about taking classes online, but since enrolling found the program to be challenging and rewarding.

''It's been a wonderful experience,'' said Kasewurm. ''I thought I had kept up with advances in audiology, but I found there were many advances that had been made that I was not aware of, the program made me a much better practitioner.''

The quality of the program is one thing that attracted students to CMU/VBWC and it is that same quality that keeps the students singing the program's praise.

''CMU's program exceeded anything I could imagine,'' said Herzfeld. ''The quality of the material and the interaction with the faculty was great.'' Herzfeld added that the inclusion of the requirement of a counseling course really made CMU's program unique.

Kasewurm, Hoover-Steinwart, Barry and Herzfeld all said the camaraderie among students was an element they had not expected to find through the program.

''I became friends with people from across the country,'' said Hoover-Steinwart. ''It was interesting the friendships that were formed and the bonds that were made. It was fun to watch as the group (students) became more adept at using the chat rooms. I'm very glad I earned my degree this way.''

Students nearing graduation do offer some advice for new students.

''I would make every effort to attend conventions to meet the fellow students,'' said Hoover-Steinwart. ''I would also call professors if you have questions. It sometimes helps to be able to put a voice with a name.''

At the heart of the Au.D. distance learning program is the 12-credit-hour capstone experience. It is designed to give students an opportunity to customize their degree to meet specific professional needs and intended to foster the student's appreciation for evidence-based practice. The capstone project is created in consultation with a project director and two other committee members and is an in-depth study of an area related to audiology.

Many students, prior to starting their capstone project, say it is one specific area of the program they do not look forward to completing. Once they have started the project, however, they say they found it to be rewarding.

''I think students need to know the capstone project was not the dastardly project people thought it would be,'' said Herzfeld. ''I would recommend CMU's program to everyone.''

Barry echoed her sentiments. ''The capstone experience is an integral part of the Au.D. program,'' she said. ''It is time consuming . . . but I cannot imagine completing a doctoral program without some type of capstone experience.''