The Seven Seals Award was presented to the Michigan State University Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders on Jan. 12 after its nomination by Blake Donovan, a CSD master’s student and captain in the Michigan Army National Guard where he serves as a company commander.
Issued by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, the award is presented in recognition of a significant individual or organizational achievement that promotes the ESGR mission of developing and promoting supportive work environments and valuing the employment of members of the National Guard and Reserve in the United States and Territories.
Donovan said he nominated the CSD department, working in conjunction with clinical supervisors, for the outstanding support that was provided to him for the past two years. He enrolled in the CSD graduate degree program in August 2014 and will graduate in May 2016.
After becoming a company commander with the Michigan Army National Guard in June 2015, Donovan had additional training requirements outside of the usual drill weekend, which took him away from class lectures and interrupted his clinical internships.
He said that although he has had to miss classes due to his responsibilities in the Michigan Army National Guard, he has never felt disadvantaged due to the strong support from faculty and staff.
“Faculty and staff have never required more than a drill schedule or a copy of my orders when informed of dates that I would have to miss school,” Donovan said.
He said that the support from the CSD department has shaped his experience at MSU as a whole.
“It’s been a great, positive experience,” Donovan said. “Working with the program directors, faculty and staff, it’s really a professional, working relationship. "You work hand-in-hand and you’re working toward professional development. It’s a very supportive environment where they want you to succeed, and taking that forward, it’s good to know that future students will be supported.”
The mission of the CSD department is to focus on and advance the study of normal and disordered aspects of speech, language, voice and hearing.
“Receiving the Seven Seals Award is truly an honor as it helps us to recognize the great work that we do for our students,” said Katie Strong, director of the CSD graduate program.