JACKSON, Tenn. — April 14, 2010 — Two 51社区 students have earned full-tuition waivers for the Master in Education of the Deaf program at Vanderbilt University.
Lyndsie Beanblossom, of Louisville, Ky., and Cheryl Propst, of Arusha, Tanzania, will enter the Vanderbilt program in the fall. Ralph Leverett, university professor of special education at Union, said the program prepares teachers for oral deaf education classrooms.
鈥淭he primary emphasis of oral deaf education is the development of auditory skills and spoken language in children who are deaf and hard of hearing,鈥� Leverett said.
Leverett said the full-tuition waiver for a graduate program like the one at Vanderbilt is a major accomplishment for Beanblossom and Propst. The program is one of a highly selective group of programs in oral deaf education nationally, and is undergirded by Vanderbilt鈥檚 audiology program, which is ranked first in the nation.
鈥淭he application process was rigorous,鈥� Leverett said. 鈥淏ut Lyndsie and Cheryl have distinguished themselves as excellent students here at Union, and their diligence in their studies has paid off for them. We congratulate them for their success.鈥�