Graduate Student Nicole Klaubert Named Inaugural Recipient of Dr. Margaret L. Johnson Endowed Scholarship

Published on November 28, 2018 by Natascha Anderson

Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology student Nicole Klaubert was named the inaugural recipient of the Dr. Margaret L. Johnson endowed scholarship. Klaubert is a 2018 graduate from Samford University and is now in her first year of graduate school in Samford’s School of Health Professions.

The scholarship was announced last year after over 100 contributors raised $30,000 to honor the legacy of Margaret L. Johnson, professor and chair of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

Klaubert’s interest in speech-language pathology began at a young age after attending speech-therapy herself and strengthened while working at a local learning center when in high school.

“As I researched the field, I began to reflect on my own experiences attending speech-therapy as a child,” says Klaubert. “Speech-language pathology is a field which utilizes my personal strengths to cultivate communication and confidence in others.”

With a servant's heart, Klaubert approaches this field as a way to serve Christ by helping and encouraging the people she encounters. Klaubert explains that the application process for the scholarship was to address “one’s personal interpretation” of how the applicant would live out their calling to speech-language pathology.

Klaubert also noted Johnson among her role models for the field.

“Dr. Johnson leads with humility, grace, and enthusiasm. She is a catalyst toward further education and development,” she said.

The field of speech-language pathology has many different career paths that offer individuals opportunities to work in hospitals, schools, clinics and more.

“As I experience various settings, there are many I can see myself working in long-term,” says Klaubert. “I could see myself working in either a private practice or medical setting with older children or adults. It is my desire to encourage and equip these individuals to functionally succeed in a variety of settings with confidence.”

Samford’s School of Health Professions and the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders will continue to further education for students and work to impact those in the local community.

Contributions can be made to the Dr. Margaret L. Johnson Scholarship online. Your gifts will help the School of Health Professions reach its endowment goal.

Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.