In Memory of Dr. Barbara Cordoni

Dr. Barbara Cordoni began the Achieve Program as a small project within the Special Education Department at SIUC in 1978.  It quickly grew through a large federal grant to become a vital service for many students.   The "project" became an institutionalized program in the summer of 1982.  Dr. C, as she was known to her students, became the first Coordinator of Achieve at that time.  Achieve grew to national prominence and has maintained a student focused approach to provide services because of Dr. C's vision.

Dr. C served as the Coordinator of Achieve until 2001.  At that time, she wrote these words to her students and staff: 

"Dear Achieve Family and Friends,

I wanted to personally express to you all my best wishes for your continued success.  Twenty-four years ago, Achieve was a dream, a hope, and I never could have guessed how hundreds and hundreds of wonderful students would go on to fulfill their dreams.  It has been a fantastic journey, aided by some pretty terrific staff members for whom I am most grateful.

As I retire, I leave you in good hands.  For me, there is a book to write and grandchildren to read to.  You will forever be in my thoughts and prayers.  God Speed!"

Dr. C announced her retirement after 24 years of service to the Achieve Program.  A reception was held in her honor on September 28th, at which old friends and new wished her well on the next phase of her life.

A plaque was ordered to commemorate her service to the Program.  When the plaque arrived, it was proofed for accuracy by several staff members, but right before the ceremony, the acting coordinator, Sally Dedecker, noticed a word was misspelled.  We had no time to fix the mistake, so we pressed on with the ceremony.  When the plaque was presented to Dr. C., and the misspelling was plain to see, she said with a joyful laugh, "It's perfect!  I wouldn't want it any other way!"

Sally DeDecker wrote this tribute to Dr. C.:

"Many know her as Dr. Cordoni, her colleagues know her as Barb.  Several hundred Achieve Program members and grad students for the past 24 years have called her Dr. C.  Personally, I began working with Dr. C. in 1978 when she first recruited me to be a tutor for the newly established "Project Achieve."  We have continued to work together ever since.  A career in the field of learning disabilities may not have been her first choice, but once her son was diagnosed with a learning disability, she pursued the field with an insatiable appetite.  After working in the “trenches” of elementary school for several years, she came to this university with a vision---a vision to begin a program that would provide support to students with specific learning disabilities at the college level.  The magnitude of this undertaking cannot be overstated.  No other program of this nature existed at a state or federally funded university.  Even though the dream was huge, the steps it took to get there were much too small to suit Dr. C. at times.  Educating university administrators and professors is not always an easy task.  After operating on internal department funds and a federal grant for the first five years, a decision to institutionalize “Project Achieve” was approved by the university.

This allowed the program to expand and serve more and more students with each passing year, reaching its peak in 1997 with a total of 189 members.  The decrease in our membership since that time can be attributed to Dr. C. and the consultant work she has done over the years.  She educated professionals from other universities who have began programs of their own at their respective schools.  She unselfishly trained the “competition” at more than 35 universities.  She served as a professional advocate and consultant, receiving national recognition for her service to the field of learning disabilities.  She sat on the Learning Disabilities Association’s professional advisory board, was named chairman of the program committee for an international LDA conference and has made hundreds of presentations to various academic, professional and community groups.  She has been a keynote speaker over 50 times at various conferences and conventions.  She received the “Lifetime Achievement Award” from the Association of learning Disabilities in 1997, their highest honor.

As a university professor, she sat on 61 theses and dissertation committees, serving as chair 46 times.  She has had 24 research articles published and has been a contributing author for 4 books.  Her own book entitled, “Living With A Learning Disability,” has and continues to provide comfort and guidance to parents who struggle with the daily challenge of raising a child with a learning disability.

Dr. C. would be the first to admit that none of these accomplishments give her even a fraction of satisfaction when compared to the joy she experiences when remembering the hundreds of students who have received their college education and went on to live happy and productive lives.  These young men and women represent most of our 50 states and several foreign nations.  Many of these young people were so misunderstood by their families, friends, and communities.  One young man, whose family built an addition to their house because they feared their son would never live independently, is now a successful architect, happily married, with a family of his own.

We join together today to thank you, Dr. C., for all you have done for this university, the field of learning disabilities, and us as individuals and professionals.  I’m sure we haven’t heard the last of you yet and know you will continue to have an impact on the field of learning disabilities."

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Shortly after her retirement, Dr. C passed away, at the age of 70.  A brief note was sent to colleagues, students and friends:

Her legacy is education to literally thousands of men and women who might not have otherwise thought of attending or had the opportunity to attend college.  Her caring reached people and will continue to reach people around the globe.  She will be missed and remembered.



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Our Achieve Program Annual Open House in October of 2004 was very special.  A memorial to Dr. Cordoni was dedicated by her husband, Greg, Sally DeDecker, and by many former students, some from many years ago, who came to pay tribute to her.

Donations in Dr. C's honor can be made to the Barbara Cordoni Memorial Fund through the SIU Foundation.

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