Malvern's Evelyn Klein Receives Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching

PHILADELPHIA, PA (07/20/2011)(readMedia)-- Malvern's Evelyn Klein, Ph.D., associate professor of speech-language-hearing science is known for working long hours at La Salle University. While walking to her car on a recent late evening, a La Salle security guard told Klein, "You work a lot; you must love what you do. Maybe one day will get an award for all your hard work." While not simply for recognition of her long hours, Klein was named the 2011 recipient of the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching.

"I was so surprised and thrilled to receive this award," said Klein. "Teaching is very important to me so I am very honored by this lifetime achievement."

La Salle University has bestowed the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award for the past 50 years. Presented at Commencement, the recipient is selected by a committee of students, faculty, and administration based on nominations from the University's full-time faculty, and both undergraduate and graduate students.

Award nominations for Klein included accolades such as, "one of the most talented colleagues I have ever worked with" and "my experience at La Salle would not have been as rich or rewarding without her."

"I try to engage my students with as much interactive learning as possible," said Klein. "My research and my clinical practice allow me to share real-life (anonymous) examples with my students to help them gain experience. I believe in sharing information I acquire with my students."

A licensed psychologist and speech-language pathologist, Klein was the first faculty member hired in 2001 for La Salle's new program in speech-language-hearing science. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses covering topics such as language disorders in young children, communication and autism spectrum disorders, and counseling in communication disorders. She also serves on the committee for the La Salle Autism and Developmental Disabilities Education Resources (LADDER) Family Center.

She has done extensive research, particularly in selective mutism, a language formulation disorder. It is characterized by a child or adolescent's inability to speak in social settings like school or in public despite being able to speak in other comfortable settings. "My research allows me to integrate my expertise in psychology and communication disorders to better understand this anxiety-based disorder," said Klein.

Klein has been the recipient of numerous research grants, including the current "The Effects of Social Communication Anxiety Treatment on Children with Selective Mutism" for a private nonprofit foundation. In the past, she has worked on grant-funded research projects on cognitive behavioral therapy for people who stutter, family literacy development, and a drop-out prevention program with the School District of Philadelphia.

Klein earned a bachelor's degree in speech pathology and audiology from Pennsylvania State University, a master's degree in speech-language pathology from The College of New Jersey, and a doctorate in educational psychology from Temple University. In addition, she was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship with Drexel University in clinical neuropsychology.