English, communication departments offer special services to students English Room 325 of the American Studies Building may seem like just another computer lab to many students, but not to those who have taken advantage of the tutoring services offered there. According to Charles Pittman, director of the Writing Center and a professor ofEnglish, theWriting Center has existed from its inception to tutor students of all majors wanting to improve their writing skills. Many students come to the Writing Center as a result of their instructors ' encouragement or refe rral. Karina Lungo, a sophomore from El Salvador, explained how she discovered the Writing Center and how she has been helped. "When I took Composition I, my teacher said I should go to the Writing Center if I wanted to improve my grammar and spelling. Because English is a second language for me, I decided to take his advice. Thanks to the tutors, my written English has improved." Ironically, as the students learn from working with the tutors, the tutors learn from working with the students. Erin Bowman, a graduate seeking a master's degree in education wi th an emphasis in English, is a tutorwho has benefited fromworking in the Writing Center. "Tutoring has its advantages. I've learned a lot about computers since I began working here, thanks in part to Mr. Pittman's help. My grammar skills have improved, which is good since I plan to be an English teacher." Such evidence verifies theWriting Center's success at fulfilling its original goal-helping students improve their writing in away that promotes a cycle of self-improvement within its tutorial program. - Michael Carter Communication Speech pathology students are required to take a two-semester class in which they are assigned clients through the clinic under the supervision of cert ifi ed speech language pathologists Dan Tullos, Karen McLarty and Betty Jones. The techers approve lesson plans written by the student therapists, observe therapy sessions, and help with any family conferences the student therapists may schedule. In short, the students are the actual therapists under the supervision of the certified pathologists. "The students are able to take what we have taught in class and use it practically in the clinic," McLarty, clinic director, said. "I believe that they learn independence and a professional manner on which to build as they go. " Curt Baker, M.Ed. , Lecturer, English Rod Brewer, Ph.D. , Professor, English Lou Butterfield, Ed.D. , Asso. Prof., Comm., Dir., TV-16, Adv. KHCA Morris Ellis, Ph.D. , Professor, Communication Kay Gowen, M.S. , Ass't. Prof., Comm. , Dir. , Student Publications Ken Hammes, Ph.D., Professor, English Kayla Haynie, M.A. , Instructor, English Mike James, Ph.D., Ass't. Professor, Comm., Dept. Chair Alice Jewell, M.A., Professor, English Larry Long, Ph.D. , Prof., Engl ish, Dir., Honors Program Karen McLarty, M.A. , Ass 't. Professor, Communication Robin Miller, M.F.A., Asso. Professor, Communication Dennis Organ, Ph.D. , Prof., Eng., Dept. Chair, Exec. Dir., Alpha Chi Charles Pittman, M.A. , Professor, English Sharon Pitt, M.Ed. , Lecturer, Communication Johanna Dominguez, a junior speech pathology major, said, "We know the theories and procedures from classes, but have never practiced them until we are involved with the clinic. It gives me satisfaction to know Iam helping people with a real need. " Clients ' ages range from 2-yearolds to adults in their 80s. McLarty said the clinic receives clients from all different walks of life. Clients come for different reasons, such as speech impediment problems, a desire to change strong accents, a concern about maintenance and health of voice, and many other speech-related probl ems. Some clients have hearing impairments which hinder speech. In these cases, the cl ient is not able to hear specific pitches; therefo re, he or she cannot produce these pitches. The clinic is only certified to give hearing screenings, but not to work with the actual hearing problem. Instead, their focus is on the speech capabilities of these clients. The speech clinic can help many people in various ways. It reaches out to clients with a need and paves a way for those seeking a profession in speech pathology. The experience gained will benefit students later, while clients begin to see results immediately. - Shellie Morris
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