MSU faculty member to be inducted into his alma mater’s Hall of Fame
Thomas Linares, chair of the Department of Communication Disorders and an associate professor of communication disorders at Minot State University, has devoted his career to bettering the lives of others, both locally and internationally. For this reason, Linares will be inducted into the Western Oklahoma State College Alumni Association Hall of Fame on Friday (Feb 6). WOSC, a community college in Altus, Okla., used to be known as Altus Junior College when Linares attended there from 1968-70.
"It is truly an honor for us to have the opportunity to bring friends and alumni of the college together to help us pay tribute to a very outstanding recipient, Dr. Thomas Linares. He has truly demonstrated his commitment and dedication to Western, as he has carried his pride for this institution into his other education endeavors, career and personal life," said Larry Duffy, vice president of development and alumni relations at Western Oklahoma State College. "We are excited to have this opportunity to bring one of their own ‘home’ to thank, recognize and honor as the 2009 Inductee into the WOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame."
"While attending Altus Junior College, I quickly learned the meaning of ‘faculty mentorship.’ Each of my instructors took the time to meet with me, counsel me, motivate me and challenge me to go as far as I could in life," Linares said. "To this date, I recall each of their names and faces. This tells me that my instructors had an impact on my life, which I would like to share with my students."
Linares continued his education by earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication disorders from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., and his doctorate from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. During the summers of 1995 and 1996, Linares organized two trips to Central America, where he, along with doctors, nurses and students, brought medical supplies and provided medical services to over 1,000 people.
Minot State’s communication disorders program is rated one of the best and recognized nationally for the highly qualified students enrolled. Linares has worked with the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction to solicit full-ride scholarships and arranged graduate-paid externships.
Linares and his wife, Jackie, have three children, Gordon, Justine and Garrett. The WOSC Alumni Association Hall of Fame began in 1996. Linares is the 15th inductee to receive this prestigious honor.
02/06/09