Written Comments

The CPD 35th Anniversary Celebration provided an opportunity to contact many old friends of the CPD. Following are comments received from CPD alumni concerning their experiences at the CPD. We'd love to add to this list and invite you to share your comments.

CAROL STOWITCHEK
During my tenure at USU and specifically the CPD I was a liaison to the Montana and North Dakota State Depts. I found these associations to be rewarding and a wonderful learning experience. I learned about the needs and restrictions of state depts... and met many dedicated and skillful educators. As a matter of fact the relationships that were built during those experiences were instrumental in securing a position with the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction -Special Education Division, State of Washington when we moved to the state. Additionally I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Glenn Latham, a dedicated and wise educator. His mentorship and example served me well as I learned to work across universities, state departments and local districts.

Currently I am the Director of Special Services with the Tahoma School DST in the State of Washington.

KIM FETTAHLIOGLU
I loved working with Dick Baer and the staff. I left the CPD to move back to CA due to my husband's health. I enjoyed the camaraderie with my coworkers, and the direction of management. I will always remember my time with the CPD. I also learned what help computers really can be after typing several state documents without stop.

Alexis Magnusson
I absolutely loved working at the EIRI. Since moving to Washington, one of our children has been diagnosed with autism. The experience there was invaluable to us. We would love to come out for the celebration.

Matt Lovell
I loved working with the great and wonderful people at the Center. K-SAR truly provides a great resource to the Center by creating award winning media projects that helps countless people around the world with disability awareness and other related issues.

Bob Crow
In the mid-1970s the feds expanded the national network of UAPs (of which the ECC or DCHP was a prominent member) by allowing "Satellites" to be established in states that did not have a UAP. This expansion required an existing host or sponsor UAP provide ongoing assistance to the new UAP Satellite (presummably to assure its success). Utah sponored Montana and North Dakota and the Navajo satellites. I headed the Montana program and we organized and conducted it very much like the Utah program. During this entire process and across the years, Dr. Marv Fifield was a continuing resource of strength and wisdom. Fortunately, he made Dr. Glen Casto available to us and Glen worked very effectively with the Montana "crew" as we developed our center. I owe a great deal to the ideas, support, encouragment Marv and Glen provided over the years.

John Neece
Do my coffee stains remain in the hallowed halls of the CPD? A favorite time for me was the Service's Program's Christmas Parties as well as the CPD Christmas Parties with Marv wearing the Santa hat. I loved the friendships with staff which made the CPD such a pleasant place to work. Is the place still growing and do the "Space Wars" continue!!!!!!?????

Dixie Lee Jenson
I lived in South Africa and Southeast Africa with my husband doing Public Affairs work for the LDS Church after I graduated and he retired early. We did humanitarian work as well. There is such great need for people who work with children and adults with disabilities and challenges in South Africa. The things I saw would make you cry. They don't spend much on those kinds of needs there.

I loved working at Community Family Partnership and enjoyed the atmosphere so much at the CPD. So many caring people. My experience there has helped me in my travels abroad with people and also now with grandchildren. It was great!!!!! USU was a wonderful place to live and work.

Steve Kukic - (former state director of special education from 1987 - 1998)
CPD was an integral part of my experience as a state director. Whenever I needed expertise I knew I could find it at CPD. When I needed a partner for a significant grant, I knew I could find him/her at CPD.... [The] CPD has served Utah and the nation with such distinction. Innovations have been numerous and significant. Advocacy has been principle centered and very effective. Thank you all for your leadership and friendship.

I wish you my very best!