Date: March 16, 2006
Contact: Lindsay Gladstone
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534 8399
Email: l-gladstone@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
March 16, 2006, University Park - Dr. Steven Russell, Dean of the College of Education at Governors State University, was honored at the 43rd annual conference of the Learning Disabilities Association of America in Jacksonville, Florida.
At a special presentation ceremony on March 1, Russell received the LDA Award in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding leadership in the field of learning disabilities.
“I was very surprised and very grateful,” said Russell. “To be honored with this award by the people with whom I have worked so closely is indeed a great honor. We all advocate for the rights of those with learning disabilities,”
With more than 10,000 members, LDA is a non-profit organization working to support the more than three million children and adults affected with learning disabilities.
LDA provides support, information, and advocacy for people with learning disabilities, their families, and the teachers and other professionals who provide services.
“LDA strongly believes that every person with learning disabilities can be successful at school, work, in relationships, and the community as long as they are given the right support and opportunities. Throughout my professional life, I have worked toward this same goal,” said Russell. “Education and the benefits it gives, and the opportunity for a full and successful life are everyone’s rights, no matter the disability.”
Prior to accepting the position at GSU in 2004, Russell was Dean at Eastern New Mexico University and Central Michigan University. Throughout his career as a teacher, professor, and administrator, his work and studies have concentrated on special education with specializations in learning disabilities, language development, and language disorders.
“Working at so many different levels of education has shown me that the possibilities and opportunities for people with learning disabilities need not be limited -not if the educators and the systems that support them do their job correctly.”
