Radford University celebrates 32 years of partnership with the Scottish Rite

On June 26, Radford University hosted its annual reception and luncheon to celebrate 32 years of partnership with the Scottish Rite and 30 years of the specialized summer programs made possible by their support.

The Scottish Rite, a Masonic organization, has generously donated more than $1 million to the university since the partnership began. Its support allows the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic (RUSLHC), a RiteCare Clinic, to provide free services to local preschool and school-age children with speech and language disorders.

During the RiteCare Clinic Summer Camp held on campus, graduate students in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (COSD) lead the way, helping children develop and enhance their communication and literacy skills while gaining invaluable field experience. This year, the camp made use of the department’s new clinic location in the Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity, which provided the Scottish Rite an opportunity to tour the new space. The “cowboy” themed celebration was held in the Black Box theatre located in the Artis Center as well. 

“Every summer at this very special event, the children, families, students and faculty welcome the Scottish Rite to campus to celebrate and express our sincerest appreciation for their ongoing support,” said Diane Millar, chair of the Department of COSD. “On this day, we gather to play games, collect awesome prizes and learn more about how we’re all connected through these amazing children. We have an exceptional group of 28 graduate students this year. They are some of the most compassionate, creative and inspiring individuals I have been fortunate to get to know. Without these amazing individuals, we would not be able to do what we love. Every day, they work hard to keep our children challenged and reaching their goals.”

In addition to funding the camp, the Scottish Rite also contributes to Radford in the form of scholarships for COSD graduate students. The 2025 RiteCare summer scholarship recipients are Emma Barton, Mackenzie Hairston, Brenna Prunty, Kelcie Lemons and Phebe Walker. Under the guidance of five faculty members – Brandi Holland, Maggie Turner, Corey Cassidy, Rachel Greene and Kate Leeper – these students were able to provide services to approximately 40 children this year.

Barton oversaw two therapy groups, focusing on topics such as vocabulary, joint attention, targeted articulation skills, inference and grammar, and social skills with children ranging from age seven to 11. “We did relay races, western-themed arts and crafts, lots of water play and a bunch of story read-alouds. Both groups had so much fun participating in the activities,” said Barton. “We really appreciate the Scottish Rite’s support.”

Hairston focused on speech sounds and language goals with children ages 6-8. “I have thoroughly enjoyed this summer. It’s always been my dream to work with young children,” she said.

Alumna Danielle West ’17, M.S. ’18, was one of the parents whose child benefited from the camp. After four weeks of participation, her son Matthew has already gained confidence in his speech. 

“He woke up every morning ready to go and came home every afternoon practicing what he learned,” said West. “The fact that the graduate students get real-life experience, and my child truly benefits from their services, was a win-win for our family. The Scottish Rite’s support to make this program free to families is truly a blessing. As a parent, community member and alumna of Radford, getting to come to the celebration and see all the hard work put into each classroom and share that experience with the Scottish Rite members was a full-circle moment. It goes to show all the amazing programs that connect the university to the community.”

Another parent, Andrew Ickes, was excited to share the positive impact the camp has had on his son. “This is the second year Graham has attended, and without any expense to us, he has received four weeks each summer of intensive speech language therapy,” Ickes said. “The impact of this summer program on him, his confidence and his communication is immeasurable. This is what service, philanthropy and public higher education are all about.” 

To demonstrate its ongoing commitment, the Scottish Rite presented a check to Radford University for $33,000 at the luncheon. Such contributions allow the RUSLHC to continue to provide hands-on clinical training to its COSD graduate students, as well as prevention, assessment and treatment services to families in the community.

About the RiteCare® Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program

The RiteCare® Scottish Rite Childhood Language Program (SRCLP) stems from a program initiated by the Scottish Rite in the early 1950s to help children with speech and language disorders. The SRCLP is now able to provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders, as well as learning disabilities. Today, there are 178 RiteCare clinics, centers and special programs located across the United States.

Because of its partnership with the Scottish Rite, the Radford University Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic (RUSLHC) is able to offer services provided by graduate interns and supervised by state-licensed and American Speech Language Hearing Association-certified speech-language pathologists. The RUSLHC provides more than 3,000 clinical clock hours of training each academic year while providing services to clients from the New River and Roanoke valleys and across Virginia.