CARBONDALE, IL (WSIL) -- will honor a late alumnus who made strides in his field and went on to help others who were blind like him.聽
SIU alumnus Michael Nelipovich became the first person at the university to earn a doctorate in rehabilitation despite being legally blind. He went on to become a leading researcher and university professor, and expert in the field.
SIU says Nelipovich was born with a rare genetic disease that results in blindness, which gradually caused him to lose all of his usable vision by the age of 45. Yet he was the first person in his family to earn a college degree, and he earned the first doctorate of rehabilitation awarded at SIU in 1981.聽
University Officials say Nelipovich was a founding member of the Blindness Hall of Fame in Louisville, Kentucky. His career included serving as a university professor and as director of the State of Wisconsin Services for the blind, where he tended a staff of rehabilitation professionals throughout the state.
The SIU alumnus was widely published with many of his works, including some co-authored by his wife, Brenda A. Shearer. Those works focused on disability and addiction in co-existence. Nelipovich earned numerous awards and honors during his career.
He eventually retired in 2009 and moved from Madison, Wisconsin, to Hendersonville, North Carolina. While in the mountains, he enjoyed exploring trails and waterfalls. Nelipovich died on Nov. 1, 2020, at the age of 75.
During a special event, the late Nelipovich鈥檚 contributions to disability support and rehabilitation services will be recognized. His family will donate his research and papers to his alma mater.
Everyone is welcome to attend the presentation, which will also feature comments from his family, friends and colleagues. Plus, discussion about advancing disability support services and research on college campuses.
It's taking place in聽鈥檚 Hall of Presidents and Chancellors on October聽10th at 5 p.m.聽
For additional information, contact Elizabeth Hamilton with the School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences at聽[email protected]聽or 618-559-0325.
