National Recognition of Excellence

Updated on 11/18/2011 3:22:58 PM.

When awards were presented at the Annual Conference of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) in early November, three of the 12 awards were presented to individuals and representatives of the VKC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).

The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Elisabeth Dykens, Ph.D., VKC Director and VKC UCEDD Co-Director. She was honored for having “devoted her career to improving the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families through research, teaching, and community and public service.” The Achievement Award recognizes an executive, faculty, or staff member who has demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service to the wider community.

The Anne Rudigier Award recognizes an outstanding trainee or student. The 2011 recipient is Meghan Burke, a doctoral student in special education at Peabody College and a VKC UCEDD trainee. In the nomination letter, the UCEDD leadership wrote that “Meghan demonstrates an unparalleled combination of accomplishment and commitment to serving people with disabilities and their families.”

The VKC UCEDD was selected to receive the Association’s 2011 Council on Community Advocacy Award (COCA), nominated by COCA and the Center’s Community Advisory Council (CAC), who wrote “In the 6 years since VKC became a UCEDD, it has grown and expanded its training, community, research, and service in the community. The Community Advisory Council plays an integral role in advising and providing suggestions to the UCEDD faculty and staff. CAC input and suggestions are encouraged, listened to, and incorporated into UCEDD planning, supports and services.”

“To receive this level of recognition after only 6 years is quite extraordinary,” said Elise McMillan, J.D., VKC UCEDD Co-Director. “We are so proud of Elisabeth’s and Meghan’s exceptional contributions. And for our UCEDD to be nominated by our own Community Advisory Council speaks to the remarkable partnership we have with these dedicated self-advocates, parents, and community members from across Tennessee.”

Click here for more information about the awards.