Callier Cares Luncheon Ignites Support with Impactful Stories

The University of Texas at Dallas Callier Center for Communication Disorders raised nearly $350,000 at its annual luncheon on April 7 at the Dallas Country Club, bolstered by a $50,000 gift from presenting sponsors Rosemarie and Maynard Ewton.

The Callier Care Fund was established by the late Dr. Ken and Ruth Altshuler to ensure access to clinical care for children and adults, regardless of their income or insurance coverage. The Callier Cares Luncheon has raised more than $3.2 million for the fund since the fund’s inception in 2007.

“I am deeply thankful for the unwavering support from Callier Cares Luncheon patrons over the past 14 years,” said Angela Shoup BS’89, MS’92, PhD’94, the Ludwig A. Michael, MD Executive Director of the Callier Center. “Every donation fortifies Callier’s mission and vision, profoundly impacting the lives of numerous children and adults with communication disorders. Our collective successes are a testament to the dedication of Callier’s foundation trustees, luncheon leaders and supporters.”

Approximately 300 people attended the luncheon to support the Callier Center and learn about innovative treatments and life-changing clinical care. Callier Foundation trustees, patrons, friends and grateful patients were among the attendees. Donations to the luncheon are counted toward the $15 million goal of the Callier Family Care Campaign, which concludes in fall 2025.

This year’s luncheon chairman, Brooke Shelby, said she is inspired by the difference the Callier Center makes in the lives of local families.

“It is an honor to share the remarkable stories of the Callier Center with our community, highlighting the profound impact that Callier’s work has on individuals of all ages. The Callier Center is a beacon of hope for individuals with communication disorders, providing life-changing services,” she said.

Keynote speakers Beth and Mark Moore shared their son’s Callier patient journey. Beckham, a 2-year-old toddler, faced challenges transitioning to solid foods and eating with his family. His mother, Beth, found the Callier Center for Communication Disorders’ feeding program, where speech-language pathologist Jenny McGlothlin diagnosed Beckham with oral phase dysphagia and a pediatric feeding disorder.

Beckham joined the Supportive Treatment of Eating in Preschoolers (STEPS) program, addressing oral motor, sensory, social-emotional and relational aspects of feeding. Soon after, he also was diagnosed with a speech motor delay and expressive language disorder, leading to his referral to Callier’s Preschool Language Development Program (PLDP). Improving Beckham’s nutrition and relationship with food was crucial for his physical health and achieving speech and language milestones.

“You might be thinking, ‘How does food relate to a center for communication disorders?’ I assure you that the relationship between the two is significant,” Beth Moore said. “Our family has learned this firsthand with Callier’s help. Thanks to innovative therapy and caring providers, and the love and the level of care that the clinicians and student-clinicians have for their patients and families, we have a happy toddler who can now communicate without frustration. Beckham feels more connected to the whole family and his friends, and we are more connected to him.” 

Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award

The Ruth and Ken Altshuler Callier Care Award is presented annually to an individual or group who has contributed significantly to the betterment of the community and to advancing the care of patients with communication disorders.

The Rupe Foundation, along with family members David Dennard, Gretchen Chrane and Caroline Harris, have an esteemed history as advocates and supporters of the Callier Center, providing care for those with communication disorders. Over 80 years ago, Dallas Gordon Rupe Jr. founded The Rupe Foundation.

Their family’s legacy includes multiple family members who have been trustees for the Foundation for the Callier Center and Communication Disorders. Dennard, Chrane and Harris also established the Paula R. Dennard Opportunity Fund for Pediatric Autism Care in honor of their mother. This fund is one of Callier’s largest clinical care endowments, providing access to treatment for children with autism from families who have limited financial resources, and it supports the education of graduate students in speech-language pathology who train in Callier’s autism clinical programs.