Emerita recognized as Unsung Hero by Hannan Center

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Donna Oas

Donna Oas, associate professor emerita in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, was selected as one of the Hannan Center's 2019 Class of 70 Over 70 Next Chapter Awards winners. Though she was nominated in their Lifelong Learner category, she was selected as an Unsung Hero Impact Winner.

The 70 Over 70 Next Chapter Awards represent the human potential that continues and in many cases increases with age. Awardees reflect the diverse interests, accomplishments and lifestyles of older people in Michigan. Unsung Hero awardees contribute talents, skills, and support to family, friends, and neighbors with little recognition. They demonstrate a deep and tireless yet quiet commitment to service that enhances the quality of life in their communities. Awardees exhibit leadership as a positive role model and have positively influenced a circumstance from behind the scenes.

Growing up in Flint when it was uncommon for women to do so, Donna became the first of her three sisters to enter college and earn degrees at the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University to become a speech-language pathologist. Her eagerness to learn and ability to contribute was recognized early when she was invited to teach in the speech-language pathology program at WMU while also parenting six children with her husband.

Donna’s love of learning arose from the needs of others.  When her department was without a faculty member to treat children born with craniofacial anomalies, she expanded her knowledge in the area and became a resource for the entire state, often linking children and their families to treatment in their home communities. When her department needed someone to oversee clinical education, Donna assumed the role, which prompted her own return to formal education. In her doctoral program, she studied adult learning principles and assessment of learning. In so doing she taught her faculty peers and off-campus Michigan mentors the best practices for clinical education.

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Donna with Sandy Glista

"Her humility, openness and kindness foster and encourage growth in herself and others," says Sandra Glista, department emerita who nominated Donna for the honor. "And I believe this ability stems from her deep belief in the inherent goodness, value and potential of others -- in their ability to learn, to grow, and to develop, regardless of age or ability."

Donna worked part-time into her 80s because of her central role in mentoring students and new speech-language pathologists. The interpersonal relationships she built with supervising clinicians in schools and in medical settings allowed WMU students to complete their off-campus practicum internships throughout Michigan. The trust she earned while she served in this role resulted in hundreds of students completing their education and becoming speech-language pathologists who treat children and adults with communication disorders.

Soon after turning 80, Donna made the decision to search for an opportunity to combine her love of travel with service by volunteering with Smile Train, an international children’s charity that supports 100%-free cleft repair surgery and comprehensive cleft care for children globally.

As Donna approaches 90, she continues to reinvent herself by seeking advice about living her life to the fullest and aging well. She is learning yoga and tai chi to retain balance, learning to use a hearing aid to remain engaged in conversations, learning to use a walker to move safely, and learning to play dominoes and meet friends in her new residence.