Alumni News
Speech-Language Pathology
General News
When six-year-old Felicity Farrand was informed she would be attending a special reception where her daddy was receiving an award, she was quite excited.
“Mommy told us yesterday. It’s awesome!” said Felicity.
She and her twin brother, Phineas, stood alongside their mom, Jessica, as they watched their dad, Sam Farrand, MS ‘17, receive the Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Alumnus of the Year award from the Salus University Alumni Association. The honor was presented during the annual alumni awards reception held June 14, 2025, in the Bennett Lounge of the Hafter Student Community Center on the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania campus.
Farrand is a research speech pathologist at his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Delaware in Newark, where he is currently the lab coordinator and research SLP for the Delaware Stuttering Project in the University’s department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.
“What’s neat about it is in the area that I work – stuttering – there is a newer trend toward a different therapy approach than what we were taught in school,” said Farrand in response to a challenge from Salus at Drexel University president Michael H. Mittelman, OD ‘80, MPH, MBA, FAAO, FACHE, encouraging all award recipients to continue to advance their professions. “I’m already doing that and it’s great to know that we’re already doing what President Mittelman is challenging us to do.”
Farrand, who was nominated for the award by Robert Serianni, MS, CCC-SLP, FNAP, chair and program director of the University’s SLP department, added the award is an acknowledgement of the work he continues to do.
“To come back to my alma mater and hear such kind words from the staff here is really nice,” he said. “I remember how hard I worked to do the work that I do now and how strong of an influence the faculty was here.”
In addition to Farrand, others honored and in attendance included the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) Albert Fitch Memorial Alumnus of the Year Award recipient, Robert Owens, OD ‘80, FAAO; and Zachary Saunders, MS ‘17, the Occupational Therapy Alumnus of the Year awardee. Those honored but unable to attend the ceremony included Emily McMahan, AuD ‘13, the George S. Osborne College of Audiology Alumna of the Year; and Charles Baus, OD ‘02, who received the Special Recognition Award.
For Saunders and Dr. Owens, both past presidents of the University’s Alumni Association, receiving their awards put them on the other side of being the ones who have handed them to past honorees.
“I look at the list of previous recipients and I’m truly honored and humbled," said Dr. Owens, who as Alumni Association president was able to speak with new graduates at four different commencement ceremonies during his tenure.
“That was a real highlight for me, to see the exhilaration of a whole new generation of health care providers as they walked across the stage,” said Dr. Owens, who was Alumni Association president in 2022-2023.
Both Dr. Mittelman, who was a classmate of Dr. Owens at PCO, and Robert Bittel, OD ‘83, who nominated Dr. Owens for the award, praised his contributions not only to the profession of optometry but also for his dedication to their alma mater.
“We have few alumni step up like Bob has,” said Dr. Mittelman. “This is a guy who is committed to his patients, committed to his profession like nobody else, and has made an impact, clearly in Pennsylvania but globally as well.”
Dr. Bittel shared a paragraph, which read, “Those who think futuristically are often at risk for public ridicule. But with a lot of motivation and confidence in your dreams, they often succeed. A select few of those who succeed are lucky enough to be considered visionary.”
The words, Dr. Bittel revealed, were written about Albert Fitch, OD, founder of the Pennsylvania State College of Optometry (PSCO), now PCO.
“That paragraph explains every bit of Dr. Owens’ career,” said Dr. Bittel. “Dr. Albert Fitch would be very proud of the 2025 recipient of the award that bears his name. Over the years, Dr. Fitch and Dr. Owens have formed a connection – visionary to visionary.”
Saunders, who served as Alumni Association president in 2023-2024 – the first OT alum to serve as president - said the award means a lot to him.
“I wasn’t expecting it, but I believe the passion that I’ve always had toward Salus University has always, and continues to be, present,” said Saunders. “I went to school with a lot of bright people and I think a lot of them have earned this award.”
Brianna Brim, PhD ‘22, MOT, OTR/L, CPAM, CLIPP, OT associate professor, said Saunders’ dedication to his patients and the profession is on display every day in his role as a senior OT at Kessler Rehabilitation Center in New Jersey. She pointed out that he is one of only 8,000 certified hand specialists in the world today and that his continuous learning and advancement of the profession shines through to his patients and colleagues.
“Zac is willing to share his knowledge and experiences to ensure that the next generation of OTs is well-prepared to make a positive impact in the world,” said Dr. Brim. “As faculty, we’re incredibly proud of Zac, one of our own. Watching him develop and grow into an incredible clinician and educator, advocate and leader has been a privilege and an inspiration. His achievements are a testament to the values we hold dear here at Salus University. You not only make us proud, you make us better.”
