JAZZ & JULEPS

New scholarship will benefit audiology, speech pathology

May is Better Hearing and Speech Month -- but you knew that -- and so the sixth incarnation of the Jazz & Juleps fundraiser for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock's joint department of audiology and speech pathology went off May 28 inside the Grand Hall of the Governor's Mansion.

Oh, there was no special theme, but the night pointedly honored Jeff and Cathy Shaneyfelt, whose son Adam began the Preschool Language Enrichment Program at the clinic 30 years ago. Jeff Shaneyfelt is a UALR alumnus, accountant and business owner. Cathy began at UALR and ultimately became a nurse through UAMS.

Jeff Shaneyfelt talked for the couple, but in a touching gesture, attributed the night's honors to his wife.

"Had it not been for Cathy" -- and here he got choked up -- "over the last 27 years, I don't know where Adam would be today. She has put her heart and her soul -- she gave up her career to do what needed to be done on a daily basis ... I mean, I cannot repay her for that."

The Shaneyfelts, as part of the honors, now have a scholarship named for them within this particular department. It's generated by money raised that night, which topped $100,000.

Many past scholarship recipients were present and acknowledged. They are Wesley Baltimore, BriAnna Branson, Julie Charles, Katie DeCavitch, Mary Kate Fortner, Sarah Holland, Caitlin McAfee, Taryn Pegram, Lindsey Sloan, Natalie Welchman and Rachel Weyrens.

Since its debut in 2010, this event has raised more than $400,000 for the departments.

High Profile on 06/07/2015

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