Some University of Memphis education students will benefit froma donation aimed at certifying teachers of the hearingimpaired.
"We have a real need for teachers in this specific area," saidJoan Ward, Hearing Endorsement project director.
The Assisi Foundation gave $70,000 to match an OberkotterFoundation grant given to the College of Education in 2001. Thegrants were given to the Hearing Endorsement certification programin the College of Education's department of instruction andcurriculum leadership.
The graduate-level program is designed for students and teacherswho already have a special education or general educationdegree.
"The Assisi Foundation funding will provide scholarshipassistance to graduate students as well as teachers interested inteaching deaf and hard-of-hearing children," Ward said.
The Hearing Endorsement project is currently taking applicationsand interviewing students for the summer session, Ward said.
"This is the only program of its kind in West Tennessee," Wardsaid.
The most recent gift from the Assisi Foundation is one of manythe local charity has given to The University.
The Assisi Foundation, established in 1994, has awarded morethan $65 million to community institutions involved in health care,education, cultural advancement and other community needs.
The foundation's other donations included a one-time grant of$65,000 to the Loewenberg School of Nursing in 2001 to offsettuition increases and a $20,000 grant in support of a 2003 earlyliteracy initiative.
"They've supported many different areas of The University andhelped them reach out to different groups in the community," saidDeborah Hernandez, U of M director of corporate and foundationgrants. "They've given a tremendous amount of support to a varietyof departments on campus."
