In 1989, the CDF established the Martha Mullins-Callender Award in Martha's memory. This award is presented to individuals currently working in the field of communication disorders who exemplify Martha's belief in the ability of an individual to overcome all obstacles to ensure that the services we deliver, the profession we represent, and the professional organization that serves us (our "products") flourish in the marketplace.

We had two awardees in 2024 and honored these recipients at the SHAV Conference. Congratulations to Laura Purcell Verdun and Catherine Thompson! Your contributions to our field are noticed, admired, and respected. Thank you!

Laura Purcell Verdun
2024 Martha Mullins-Callender Awardee

Catherine Thompson
2024 Martha Mullins-Callender Awardee

Meet the 2023 CDF SCHOLARSHIP Recipients

Bristol Choquette, an SLP graduate student at Radford University, has been awarded the Rita Purcell-Robertson Scholarship in the amount of $4,000.

Bristol Choquette

Bristol Choquette is a second-year graduate student at Radford University. One of the things that drew her to speech-language pathology was the wide range of opportunities the field provides. She is currently interested in working with children and young adults following traumatic brain injury and incorporating animal-assisted therapy into her practice.

Elizabeth Manevaal, an SLP graduate student at Radford University, has been awarded the David H. Narburgh Scholarship in the amount of $4,000.

Elizabeth Maneval

Elizabeth Maneval is a second-year graduate student at Radford University. She was drawn to speech pathology because it combines her interests in linguistics and public health. She is interested in collaborating with others to reduce barriers to accessing therapy and ensuring that those she serves understand their diagnoses and become advocates for themselves.

Simone Quary, an SLP graduate student at Hampton University, has been awarded the Pat Thomas Dewey Scholarship in the amount of $2,000.

Simone Quary

Simone Quary is a second-year graduate student at Hampton University. Her positive experience attending a school with an inclusive learning model inspired her to pursue a career as a speech-language pathologist. Simone plans to serve as an advocate for inclusive education in school settings by communicating with educators about the benefits and potential drawbacks of various service delivery models such as push-in therapy.
Currently, Simone is open to working with both pediatric and adult populations. In the upcoming school year, Simone looks forward to undergoing clinical placement across a variety of settings.
Additionally, Simone is interested in providing telepractice as an option for individuals of all cultural, linguistic and geographical backgrounds. In doing so, Simone plans to collaborate with other healthcare and technology specialists to overcome challenges regarding telepractice.

Our mission

The mission of the Communication Disorders Foundation of Virginia is to serve as a non-profit organization of volunteers who support the professions of speech-language pathology and audiology through fundraising for scholarships awarded to students in Virginia's communication sciences and disorders programs, and to support achievement and honor excellence in student and colleague accomplishments.

Scholarship Information

OUR History

The Foundation began in 1985 as a committee of the Speech-Language-Hearing Association of Virginia (SHAV) with the purpose of raising and awarding scholarship funds for graduate studies in the field of communication disorders. A year later, it was established as an independent foundation with a Board of Trustees and 501(c) (3) status.