Leadership, Scholarships and Awards

Leadership Opportunities

The JMU Special Education program provides various opportunities for student leadership.

  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), JMU Student Organization
  • Best Buddies Student Organization
  • Special Education Program Advisory Committee
  • Dean's Advisory Committee
  • Peer Advising for the Non-Teaching Program
  • Special Education Leadership Day for High School Students
  • Special Education Student Ambassadors

Virginia Teaching Scholarship Loan Program

The primary purpose of the VTSLP is to provide financial support to students who are preparing to teach in one of Virginia's critical shortage fields, to include special education.

College of Education Scholarships

Candidates in Special Education may apply for these scholarships. The following scholarships are offered through the Associate Dean's office each year. Most applications are due by February of each year.

  • Alumni Class '35 Scholarship*
  • Marie B. & Sannie B. Baird Scholarship*
  • Peggy Hanna Brooks Burruss Scholarship*
  • Cornelius J. Heatwole Scholarship*
  • Christopher Carl Hoffman Scholarship*
  • Anna McCarthy Teaching Scholarship*
  • Joyce Wood Scholarship*
  • Eleanor E. Wright Memorial Scholarship*

*Scholarship offered through Associate Dean's office each year. Most applications are due by February each year.

JMU Special Education Program Awards

Special Education Program Award recipients are selected by the program faculty.

Outstanding Seniors in Special Education

This Award calls attention to students who exhibit excellence in academic pursuits, dedication to the ideals of the special education program, and service to individuals with disabilities during their senior year at JMU.

2001 Recipient 2002 Recipients 2003 Recipients 2004 Recipients
Julia Rose Curtis Karen A. Curtin Carrie Phillips Sara Bosler
Kelly Elizabeth Hicks Lauren Brooke Dahlquist Jeana Upschulte Leigh Buckley
Anne Stevenson Tigner Rachel A. Farmer Amber Knighting Laura Tarrant
  Jessica Lynne Kelly   Carrie Schulte
2005 Recipients
Matt Ream
Kim Newbill
Ashley Reyher

Outstanding Graduate Students in Special Education

This Award calls attention to students who exhibit excellence in academic pursuits, dedication to the ideals of the special education program, and service to individuals with disabilities during their graduate program at JMU.

2001 Recipients 2002 Recipients 2003 Recipients 2004 Recipient
Jeanette L. Sitzes John T. McNaught Sarah Moore Brianna Stegall
Lisa M. Tice Anne W. Jackson Rachel Farmer  
    Ally Connell  
       
2005 Recipients
Cindy Bostic
Katie Estes
Laura Tarrant

Eddy Dalton Scholarship

Funds for this scholarship are provided by the wife of former Governor John Dalton. Recipients are special education students in their junior year who are recommended by the program.

2001 Recipients 2002 Recipients 2003 Recipients 2004 Recipient
Lauren B. Dahlquist Taniya M. Capitano Julie Foley Linette Andes
Rachel A. Farmer Carrie E. Phillips Carrie Schulte Katherine Price
Faith R. Hottle      
       
2005 Recipients 2006 Recipients
Jessica LeNoir Anne H. Layman
  Amanda M. Denney
   

Julie Simon Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Mr. and Mrs. Donald F. Simon in memory of their daughter, Julie Simon. Recipients are special education students in their junior year who are recommended by the program.

2001 Recipients 2002 Recipients 2003 Recipients 2004 Recipient
Karen Curtin Jeanna L. Upschulte Leigh Buckley Matthew Ream
       
       
       
2005 Recipients 2006 Recipients
Beth Tarrant Lauren V. Martina
   
   

D. Perry and C. Brown Scholarship

This scholarship, established by D. Perry and C. Brown, is intended for a JMU education student concentrating in special education. Recipients are special education students who are recommended by the program.

2001 Recipients 2002 Recipients 2003 Recipients 2004 Recipient
Karina von Borstel Pamela L. Brooks A J Romero Rebekah Anderson
      Virginia Johnston
       
       
2005 Recipients 2006 Recipients
Chelsea Skotchdopole Tina A. Giustiniani
Deloris Gladis Jessica M. LeNoir
   

Betty Ball Mann Scholarship

This scholarship, established by Betty Ball Mann '58, is intended for an outstanding JMU student engaged in the study of Special Education within the College of Education. Student must demonstrate financial need, as determined by the University's Office of Financial Aid. Preference is given to students who are entering the fifth year of the five-year M.Ed. program of study and who demonstrate plans to pursue a professional career working with and/or diagnosing children with learning disabilities, including children with reading disabilities. Recipients are special education students who are recommended by the program.

Delta Kappa Gamma Award

2004 Recipients 2005 Recipients 2006 Recipients
Lynn Stephens Sarah Bicking Sarah Smiley

Teacher of Promise

2004 Recipients 2005 Recipients 2006 Recipients
Jennifer Byrnes Eunice Lee Shaina Ambrose
  Julie Foley Carrie Martell
  Laura Tarrant Julie Gortler
     

Graduation Speaker

2004 Recipients 2005 Recipients 2006 Recipients
Laura Tarrant Katie Price Lauren Kruse