USD Professor Earns State Recognition
By Kerry Hacecky

A USD professor's dedication to helping those with hearing and speech disorders was rewarded this summer.

Dr. Dean Lockwood, professor of pathology and audiology, received the Honors of the Association Award from the South Dakota Speech-Language-Hearing Association. "It was very unexpected and I consider it a very real honor," Lockwood said. "This award is very clear evidence that people do notice and appreciate those who work hard and accomplish much."

The award recognizes the time served as professor, mentor and doctor by the 33-year USD faculty veteran.

Lockwood is chairman of the communication disorders department and director of the USD Speech and Hearing Center. He also serves as administrative director of the USD Scottish Rite Children's clinics in Vermillion and Sioux Falls.

The award highlighted many of Lockwood's accomplishments including the funding and management of the State Program for Cranofacial Anomalies and Cleft Lip-Palate service.

David Downs, associate professor of audiology, said Lockwood is deeply interested in his students.

"When possible and appropriate, (Lockwood) goes the extra mile to ensure that each of our full-time and part-time students complete our undergraduate and graduate programs," Downs said.

Through the Scottish Rite Clinics, Lockwood established a graduate fellowship program in Communication Disorders in 1982. It currently funds six to seven graduate students each semester.

Third semester graduate student Jamie Griffith received the Janet G. Bailin Scottish Rite Fellowship based on her performance as a graduate clinician.

"The money that I was awarded through the Scottish Rite Fellowship has given me more time, by not having to get another job, to spend on my class work," she said.

Aside from the fellowship program, Lockwood said one of his biggest achievements is the Scottish Rite Children's clinics.

The clinics started in 1989 when USD and the Scottish Rite Foundation opened a clinic on campus that worked primarily with children. During that time, another clinic based in Sioux Falls was also opened.

The clinic provides evaluation, diagnostics and treatment to patients from newborn to 21 years old who have an impairment in communication abilities.

Last year, the clinic in Noteboom Hall served 246 patients with disabilities including autism, cleft palate, language delay and other developmental disabilities, while the Sioux Falls clinic served over 2,000 patients.

The department of communincation disorders has also initiated outreach programs on the Rosebud and Eagle Butte Indian reservations. Lockwood said about 98 percent of the services provided to children and adults at the clinic are by graduate students in the program under the guidance of faculty members.

"(The students) learn from the experience and from faculty and the children and adults receive needed services, so it's a win-win program," Lockwood said.

"Our department runs like a fine tuned piece of machinery because of the time and effort that Dr. Lockwood puts into his job, fellow faculty members and students alike," Griffith said.

"I am extremely lucky to have had the chance to take classes from him and get to know him as a professor."

- this article appeared in the October 15, 2003 edition of The Volante published at The University of South Dakota