2009 Founders Breakfast—A Big Easy Celebration

Amid the sights, sounds, and flavors of New Orleans, more than 300 ASHFoundation donors, friends, and award recipients gathered at daybreak on November 20th at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel during the ASHA Convention to place $378,000 in the hands of 39 brilliant individuals.

ASHFoundation President, Nancy Creaghead, announced a special $35,000 gift received recently from the estate of Eleanor Burgess, which offers significant support to the ASHFoundation funding programs. Creaghead also announced a $100,000 gift from ASHA's Special Interest Division 13 to create a new fund to support research in swallowing content areas. NSSLHA chapter members were applauded for their work in raising $83,376 to support the NSSLHA Scholarship Fund, and University Giving Circle Ambassadors from 14 pilot universities were recognized for their leadership and energy in encouraging 100% faculty participation in donating to the ASHFoundation. Creaghead also thanked the ASHFoundation's six past presidents in attendance for their leadership and vision, and a special tribute was given to past president, Frank Kleffner for his transformative role in the history of the ASHFoundaiton. Thirty-four individuals form the corporate community were recognized for their philanthropy; special appreciation certificates were presented to three companies which have supported the ASHFoundation for more than 2 decades: Laureate Learning, LinguiSystems, and Pearson. The climax of the morning was the presentation of $378,000 in funding to 39 talented students, researchers, and professionals.

Help us support more worthy scholars in 2010 by making a generous donation now. Phone us at 301-296-8704 or donate online.

Many award recipients, donors and ASHFoundation friends were captured in pictures at the breakfast. View our photo album.