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Arnold School honors Sharon Webber for her philanthropic spirit, commitment
March 12, 2010
Sharon Webber, center, holds portrait presented in recognition of her philanthropy. From right, Thomas Webber, Elaine Frank, and Maddy and Abraham Webber, two of the couple’s six children.
When the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders sought to honor one of its outstanding alumni, faculty looked for someone who was truly “Super Duper.”
They selected Sharon Webber, the president and co-owner of Super Duper® Publications, a Greenville-based company that produces practical and creative materials used by speech-language pathologists, special educators, teachers and parents around the world. The entrepreneur and her husband, Thomas Webber, give an annual scholarship to the Arnold School for speech-language pathologists pursuing their master’s degrees.
Dr. Elaine Frank, chair of the department of communication sciences and disorders, recently presented Webber with a portrait, in recognition of her professional and philanthropic accomplishments. Created by Dr. Charles Adams, a COMD assistant professor, the portrait will join those of other alumni on the department’s Hall of Fame.
“Sharon Webber’s generosity has touched the lives of students and children throughout our nation and world,” Frank said. “She and her husband Thomas Webber are an inspiration not only for the great business that they have created, but also for their commitment to help others.”
After earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1980 from the University of Georgia, Webber came to the department of communication sciences and disorders at the University of South Carolina for her master’s degree in speech-language pathology. She earned her master’s degree in 1981 and a certificate of clinical competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association in 1982.
Webber began her career with the Greenville County School District as a speech-language pathologist and in 1986 began developing creative products that could be used by speech therapists for children.
The company, launched at home, moved to the office where Thomas had established his law practice and then to an office-warehouse. Thomas joined the company full time in 1997, and the couple have built a company that is an inspiration to many.
The Webbers’ benevolent spirit extends to colleges and universities throughout North America. They provide Super Duper® publications to all certified master’s- level speech and language programs and master’s-level special education programs in the United States and Canada.
For her creativity and contributions to education, Sharon Webber received the 2004 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Arnold School of Public Health and the Distinguished Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award in Speech Pathology and Audiology from the College of Education at the University of Georgia.
In 2001, Super Duper® Publications received the Friends of the Foundation Award from the Communication Disorders Foundation for the company’s constant support and commitment to the foundation and to the field of audiology and speech-language pathology.
In addition to the scholarship in the Arnold School, the Webbers have established scholarships at Notre Dame and the USC School of Law, from which Thomas graduated, and the University of Georgia.
Active business partners, the Webbers also are the proud parents of six children.
