The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of SIU at Carbondale. Except during vacations and exam weeks, The Daily Egyptian is published Monday through Friday during the fall and spring semesters and TWThF during the summer semester."

Training program ranked third in the U.S.; only ranked program at SIUC

The hard work ethic of the Rehabilitation Counseling Program has translated into hundreds of published articles. Just as one reaps what one sows, the program has also brought in numerous awards, including its most recent, the E.B. Whitten Medallion of Excellence.

The National Rehabilitation Association honored John Benshoff, coordinator of the program, last Saturday with the medallion, which is the Association's highest individual award. The award honors those whose notable leadership broke down legal or environmental barriers for disabled people.

Awards are not new for the program and its workers, but the initial satisfaction of winning has not worn off for the workers, especially their number three spot on the U.S. News and World Report list of the nation's best rehabilitation programs.

"We've always had a strong work ethic here," Benshoff said. "You don't get promoted to professor within the Rehab Institute unless you have published a dozen or more articles. Most departments require half that."

Benshoff said when the rankings began in the mid-90s, SIUC was ranked second behind the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The program lost ground in recent years after its faculty was reduced to three active members from seven. This year, it was ranked third out of 85 programs nationally.

Benshoff said there is at least one graduate either running or working at each of the social services in Southern Illinois. He said there is at least one SIUC grad working every state as well as in many countries worldwide.

Heather Brostrand, a graduate student in rehabilitation counseling was lured to the program from California State University after her mentor, an SIUC graduate, told her about it. Brostrand won a literary award for an article she wrote Saturday as well.

She recently helped perform a national survey, and before coming to SIUC, she said she never would have imagined being a part of something so large.

"It's exciting to research at that level," Brostrand said. "When I come here everyday, I can actually do that, and then suggest how we can fix it."

Benshoff said the faculty within the program work closely with the students to help guide their research.

"We are also practice-oriented," he said. "We make sure to look at 'Can we make the world different as a result?'"

The program, which is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, began in 1954 through a federal grant. The institute was developed at the same time. Since then, the institute has also added programs to the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. Many local disability services are a part of the program's work and research.

"The federal government recognized that it was important to provide service to people with disabilities," he said.

Benshoff, who came to SIUC in 1988, said one of the reasons for the program's success is the University's openness and accessibility for disabled people.

"This is one of the very few campuses that made an early commitment to being an accessible university," said Benshoff, dating the University's accessibility back to the 1960s.

Nearly 25 percent of the institute's students have a disability and another 25 percent are minorities.

Brostrand has already published one article, which is a requirement of the graduate students. Brostrand won a literary award for an article she wrote Saturday as well. Being able to participate in research and write articles has helped her prepare for life after graduation.

"One of the things that characterizes us is our very positive view of our role as leaders of the University and leaders of our discipline," Brostrand said. "When I get out of here, it is not going to be a whole new world."

 

 

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