Zedler, Empress

Biography

Dr. Empress Young Zedler (1908–2006) was born and raised in Abilene, Texas. After graduating as valedictorian from Abilene High School, Zedler then received her BA, MA, and PhD from The University of Texas at Austin.

Zedler, a pioneer in the field of language and learning disabilities, joined the speech department at Southwest Texas State Teachers College in 1948. At SWTSTC, Zedler established the Speech, Language, and Hearing Clinic in the Department of Speech and Drama. As director, Zedler brought the clinic, which was later moved to the Department of Education, to national prominence. She successfully secured a number of grants for speech and special education research, some of which she donated to start the college's Special Education Foundation. Zedler, who also served as chairman of the Department of Special Education (1964–1977), retired from the university in May 1981. She opened her private practice in psychology and language pathology and served as director of the Speech, Language, and Educational Therapy program at Baptist Memorial Hospital in San Antonio.

Zedler received numerous recognitions for her work, including the Award of Honor from the Texas Speech and Hearing Association in 1975. She published a number of articles, essays, and books, and belonged to many professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association and American Speech and Hearing Association. In 1989, Zedler was named Professor Emeritus in perpetuity by the university's board of regents.

Texas 150 Oral History

Zedler discusses how she went about organizing courses and clinics for the university's special education department. These clinics brought lecturing scholars to teach university students methodology and topics related to special education and helping children with special needs. Zedler mentions specific visiting professors, as well as Dr. Flowers in particular.

It is important to note that a number of pages are missing from this transcript.