Carole Jo Hardiman was honored at the College of Communication & Information Homecoming Convocation Ceremony as the 2009 outstanding alumna of the School of Communication Science & Disorders.

She served 35 years as a faculty member for the Department of Communication Disorders at FSU, retiring in 2004. Hardiman received both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Florida State. After employment in the public schools and at the Easter Seal Rehabilitation Center in Tallahassee, she began working at FSU as a master clinician in the newly established Regional Rehabilitation Center. She retired as a professor and director of the clinical education program.

Hardiman recalled some of the funny events and memories with students over the years. “We moved through the hippie days of the ’70s and then the business professional dress of the ’80s as we saw our ladies and occasional gents matriculate through the program.”

She fondly remembers trips throughout North Florida to screen hundreds of Head Start children with 10 or more graduate students, and the time spent going out for dinner and dance after a hard day of seeing more than 100 children. “I also recall having some pregnant students who wanted to do clinical practice to the moment of delivery.” And all who attended will remember the faculty roast where the imitation of Hardiman was related to keeping track of clock hours and meeting timelines with an air of urgency.

Hardiman served as president of the Florida Language, Speech and Hearing Association (FLASHA), on the Florida Licensing Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and as an ASHA Legislative Councilor representing the state of Florida for eight years. She was awarded the honors and the Clinical Career Award by FLASHA. She is also an ASHA Fellow. Hardiman lives in Tallahassee and continues to provide consultative services relative to communication disorders to various state governmental agencies.