Event Highlights
Family Weekend and Alumni Homecoming - 2023
The first weekend in November was the perfect backdrop for ASP’s Family Weekend and Alumni Homecoming. Students spent Friday afternoon taking their family and friends on tours of our clinics, classrooms, and research labs at the UT Conference Center. One parent shared, “The pride of the program was reflected in the enthusiasm of the staff as they explained and demonstrated the labs and clinics. The attention we were given genuinely made us feel welcome.” Later Friday evening, we hosted a dessert reception at the beautiful Crescent Bend House and Gardens, a favorite venue which was made possible by the Tom’s Foundation. We wrapped up the weekend with a lively breakfast tailgate prior to the homecoming football game. It was yet another opportunity for students and alumni, including the audiology class of 1994, to show their school spirit!
Tamika Catchings Youth Basketball Clinic 2019
If you entered the Regal Teen Center Boys & Girls Club on the morning of Saturday, April 13th, you would have seen and heard a variety of things: kids laughing; basketballs being dribbled, passed, and shot; high fives being exchanged; and, of course, lots of words of encouragement coming from Tamika Catchings and a host of volunteer coaches. Everyone was gathered for Tamika’s second youth basketball clinic, hosted by the basketball legend and UTHSC’s Department of Audiology and Speech (ASP). Fifty children, ages 8 to 14, spent two hours at the free clinic to practice some of the fundamentals of basketball and learn how to be goal-oriented and show good sportsmanship. Tamika, who has hearing loss and wears hearing aids, never shies away from telling children that they can overcome the challenges they have in life to become anything they want, but she always reminds them that it requires a lot of hard work. Tamika’s cast of volunteer coaches echoed her sentiment about hard work. The on-court coaches included current Lady Vol basketball players Meme Jackson and Cheridene Green, former Lady Vol and current Lady Vol graduate assistant Nicky Anosike, former Vol football player Jayson Swain, as well as high school and AAU basketball coaches and players from the East Tennessee Region. Among the clinic participants were 10 children who have been or are being served by ASP clinics. Tamika also took a few extra moments to introduce children and graduate students who have benefited from either the Tamika Catchings Amplification Assistance Fund or the Tamika Catchings Scholarship Fund. ASP expects that the clinic will be an annual event.
Parent Weekend 2018
ASP hosted its second Parent Weekend on November 9 and 10, and it was another huge success! On Friday afternoon, we had over 70 individuals attend the departmental open house, with opportunities for students to lead their parents on a tour of the department and engage with the academic and clinical faculty members. Later that evening, 218 people attended our dessert reception at the beautiful Crescent Bend House and Gardens. Saturday morning, about 100 people joined our tailgate at Claxton Courtyard to enjoy barbecue, UT’s Pride of the Southland band, and the energetic atmosphere that occurs just outside of Neyland Stadium before a game.
There was a lot of laughter, pride, and confidence expressed by parents, students, and faculty alike. One parent noted, “The main highlight was the open interaction opportunities presented to me at all the events. I will add that watching my first ever SEC Football game combined with a UT win added to the experience!”
Thanks also to Dale Amburn (ASP Board Member and parent of a former student), Dr. Will Smith (AuD Alumnus), and Maggie Wheeler (MS SLP Alumnus) for speaking during the short program at the dessert reception. Other ASP Community Development Board members were present at the reception and tailgate to welcome our families and show their support for ASP.
