The Delores S. Brehm Endowed Scholarship in Special Education

Started by William and Delores Brehm, the scholarship is the first $1 million scholarship in EMU’s history, providing tuition support for students studying special education or communication and sciences disorders. The endowed scholarship supports a total of ten students (at in-state tuition rates) for one year in each of the academic programs within the Department of Special Education. Scholarship recipients exemplify outstanding pre-professional skills in the field of special education coupled with a commitment to serve children, adolescents and adults with special needs and/or communication disorders/speech and language impairments.

In 2010, the Brehms enhanced the scholarship program with additional funds to support research aimed at further development of best practices in an ongoing transformation of the fields of special education and communication sciences and disorders. Students selected as Brehm Scholars are required to participate in research partnerships with special education or communication and science disorders faculty members for one year and to conduct their own research project.

They are also required to attend the Annual Brehm Scholars Research Conference which begins with an intensive three day class to develop an understanding of research methods, to create a research topic and agenda, and to cultivate a community of collaboration and support. Scholars meet during the fall and winter semesters to obtain assistance and support for their research, to report progress, and to prepare for venues where their work will be disseminated.