A Proud History - 1990's

Jack Andrews began his 11 year commitment to Heartspring as the President and Chief Executive Officer.

After nearly sixty years, the Institute of Logopedics changed its name to Heartspring to reflect the growing number of services it provides to children with special needs. “Heart” representing the basis of love for life, and “spring” representing the season of new beginnings and new life. The name has changed, but the mission has never wavered. Heartspring continues to help children communicate with their world and achieve their full potential.

The Heartspring Board of Trustees approved a $12 million Capital Campaign in December 1994 to fund a new campus in northeast Wichita. Heartspring surveyed more than 7,000 friends, donors, employees and trustees to determine the overall interest of a new campus. The campaign, A Brighter Future For Children….Building On Our Heritage had goal of $12 million.

In January 1995 four communication specialists from Heartspring went to Myanmar (Burma) to provide equipment, testing and training to the students and teachers of the Mary Chapman School for the Deaf. A total of 142 children received hearing aid evaluation and fitting representing 57% of the total student population.

The Shaklee Institute for Improving Special Education was formed in an effort to advance the understanding and practices in the field of special education. Its mission is to initiate positive change in the education of children with disabilities by improving professional practice and influencing public policy.

The weekend of April 17-19, 1998 was spent moving the entire campus from Jardine Street to its new address at 8700 East 29th Street North. Heartspring’s new home enabled expanded programs and improved effectiveness of programs to meet the needs of children that, due to facility constraints, we were previously unable to serve.

A Victory Celebration occurred on May 29 in the new Heartspring Conference Center to close the capital campaign for the new campus. A total of $14.5 million was raised.

The first Shaklee Teachers Awards were presented to outstanding special educators across the nation for their work in the field. Award winners took part in the Shaklee Summer Session sharing knowledge, experiences and establishing a community of scholars that offer support and encouragement.