Congratulations to Barbara McLay on her retirement from MU’s Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences in September! Professor McLay received her MA in Audiology from the University of Iowa and joined the faculty at MU in 1993. She is a much-loved teacher, training students in the classroom and in the MU Speech and Hearing Clinic. She serves as the department’s Graduate Program Director overseeing the compliance with accreditation standards and advising students in the MHS program. Professor McLay has received awards for her teaching including the Outstanding Teacher Award from the MU’s chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association, the ROARS Professor of the Year from the MU Athletic Department and the SHP Excellence in Education Award.   

In addition to working with students and program administration, Professor McLay developed the MU Hearing Conservation Program, which provides screening for Campus Facilities employees whose jobs involve exposure to high levels of noise placing them at risk of hearing loss. Her service to the SHP and Campus has focused on curriculum and on diversity and inclusion. She was instrumental in developing holistic admissions procedures for the department.   

“Professor McLay has had an immeasurable impact on the Department over the last 29 years,” said Judith Goodman, interim department chair and colleague. “She is a truly outstanding teacher who cares deeply about students and helps them to master very difficult scientific and clinical content. She is also a creative problem-solver who has helped our programs to grow in ways that enhanced our students’ education. She will be greatly missed!” 

Professor McLay asked that gifts in her honor be directed to the Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences Fund to support SLHS students. More giving options.