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Stephens’ creative talents and engaging character make him invaluable to WSU Speech and Hearing Sciences Department

The positive, hard-working attitude that Doug Stephens brings to the office is the attitude he applies to all his endeavors. Stephens, who has been with WSU Spokane since 1999, works as an office assistant for the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences.

“No problem is too large, and more importantly, too small for Doug,” said Jeff Winikoff, research associate for the Child and Family Research Unit at WSU Spokane.

Stephens downplays the importance of his role at WSU Spokane helping others through their day-to-day lives. Comments from two speech and hearing sciences faculty members give him the credit he won’t give himself. “It is perhaps one of his greatest strengths that he finds a way to simultaneously support our faculty and make new and current students, and indeed all of us, feel welcome and valued.” In recognition of his contributions, Stephens was honored by his co-workers with WSU Spokane’s 2003 Classified Staff Excellence Award.

Along with the professional support he provides to the faculty at WSU, Stephens uses his creative talents to give back to the Spokane community. As founder of the Inland Northwest Puppeteers Guild and Regional Director of Puppeteers of America, Stephens has partnered with the Spokane Domestic Violence Consortium to create and present educational puppet shows and work shops.

Involvement with the Oregon Trail Travelers has Stephens working with craftsmen from all across the Northwest. He spends the summers traveling with his family to festivals and teaching the traditions of Western pioneers. One project includes the creation of a half-scale covered wagon that will appear in the Dufer Threshing Bee Parade in August.

In the winter, you will find him on the slopes as a volunteer instructor for the Spokane Parks and Recreation’s Physically Challenged Ski Program, helping people with physical disabilities overcome obstacles and learn to ski.

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