HU Department Chair of 50 Years Steps Down

Hampton, Va. – Dr. Robert Martin Screen has announced that he will step down as chair of the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders at Hampton University at the end of August. Screen, who founded the department and has served as chair for more than 50 years, will continue as a professor in the department, concentrating on his writing and research in the areas of language development and disorders, and the impact of culture on communication.

A pioneer in his field, Screen has established a standard of excellence in the area of preparing young professionals to work in the fields of audiology, speech-language pathology, special education and medicine, in diverse communities, using culturally competent practices that are evidence-based.

“I commend Dr. Screen for his five decades of outstanding leadership of the communicative sciences and disorders department at Hampton University,” said HU Provost Dr. Pamela V. Hammond. “Under his guidance, the graduates of this nationally recognized program have truly made a profound impact in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology.”

Under Screen’s leadership, the department has produced a significant number of leaders in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology. In 2004, the Council of Academic Programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders awarded the HU master’s degree program in communicative sciences, ‘The Diversity Incentive Award’ for preparing more African Americans to enter the profession than any other program in the nation. Many graduates of the department hold leadership positions in professional associations, higher education, school systems and healthcare agencies. The accomplished alumni of the department also include a past president, a past and a current chief staff officer for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Screen has been honored by his hometown, Augusta, Ga. and by his alma mater, Michigan State University, for the tremendous impact he has had on young people. In 2001, he was a recipient of “Honors of the Association,” the highest award given by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. The National Black Association for Speech, Language and Hearing has also recognized Screen’s contributions to the profession on several occasions. The State Council of Higher Education in Virginia presented Screen with the Outstanding Faculty Award in 2001.

Screen, author of four textbooks, three novels and 10 articles, received his bachelor’s degree from Hampton University in 1953. He received the Master of Arts degree in speech pathology from New York University and the Ph.D. in audiology and speech sciences from Michigan State University.