Lamont S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship in Speech Pathology

Purpose: To support and encourage the formal education of African American and Latinx speech pathologists, particularly male African American and Latinx speech pathologists.

About the Fund: The scholarship honors the lifetime contributions of Lamont S. Johnson and was conceived after Lamont’s sudden passing in 2008 and formally established in 2012. The fund was seeded by contributions from his parents, Samuel and Velma Johnson, along with his brother, Kevin Johnson. The fund remains open to contributions provided in the name of the fund, in care of the Cleveland Foundation.

About Lamont S. Johnson: A lifelong Clevelander and product of the Cleveland public schools, Lamont graduated from Glenville High School in 1969. He attended Cleveland State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in speech pathology and audiology in 1973. In 1977, Lamont earned his license to practice speech pathology in the state of Ohio.

Lamont continued his education earning his master’s degree in speech pathology and audiology from Cleveland State University in 1979. In July 1980, he received a certificate of clinical competence from the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA). In 1981, Lamont became a Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (QMRP) certified by the State of Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. Lamont had been a member of the Ohio Speech and Hearing Association since 1979.

Lamont began a successful professional career in 1979 that spanned 29 years, using his skills in speech and language pathology to provide service to others.

His work began at the Rosemary Center for Children, working with children with disabilities. Lamont also worked for the Warrensville Developmental Center providing speech therapy services to adults with mental retardation and developmental disabilities (MRDD) in a residential setting. Additionally, he worked for the Parent Volunteer Association providing speech therapy to adults with disabilities. Lamont also served as a clinical supervisor of speech therapy to graduate students at Cleveland State University.

Beginning in 1991, Lamont worked for the Cuyahoga County Board of MRDD in the early childhood department, working with babies and toddlers along with their parents/guardians to develop speech and language skills in homes and clinical sites.

Lamont was the speech and language therapy manager at the Cuyahoga County Board of MRDD, providing direct clinical supervision of staff speech therapists. He worked to create new guidelines for the therapy department, working as an integral team member with other managers. He was loved and respected by all.

Lamont was an active member in the American Speech Language and Hearing Association, the Ohio Speech/Hearing/Language Association, the National Education Association, the National Black Speech/Hearing/Language Association, and a proud member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He held the Seven Awards for Continuing Education (ACE) from 1979 through 2004.

Eligibility:
• Resident of Greater Cleveland (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina counties) OR attending a Greater Cleveland educational institution

• African American or Latinx

• Preference given to male applicants

• Enrolled full-time at an accredited nonprofit educational institution

• Rising sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student majoring in speech pathology or equivalent

• Minimum 2.8 GPA

• Financial need

Application Method: Submit a Lamont S. Johnson Memorial Scholarship in Speech Pathology application here.

Selection Process: The selection committee will base its scholarship decisions on the completed application, evidence of commitment to a career as a speech pathologist, academic performance, and special skills or talent related to excelling in speech pathology coursework. Preference for those attending Ohio schools.

Award Info: The annual award amount will be based on the performance of the fund and number of applicants selected. Formal notification of award will be made by College Now to the selected recipient(s). The general award amount is $1,000. Award will be paid to the institution and must be applied to tuition, fees, books, supplies, and/or equipment required for coursework.

Awarded Student Requirements:
1. Maintain full-time enrollment status

2. Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA

3. Continue your academic pursuits in the field of speech pathology

Renewal: This award has historically been renewable until intended degree is received, provided the student meets the requirements and funding remains available.

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