Ackley Scholarship 2023 Recipient

2023 Recipient Linnete Luna

My name is Linnette Luna, I am a Hard-of-Hearing Doctor of Audiology student in Gallaudet’s Au.D. program set to graduate May 2024. I am originally from sunny Florida and received my Bachelor of Arts in Communication Sciences and Disorders at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Growing up, I never viewed my hearing status as a barrier, but rather a fact of who I was. At the age of 12, I met my first Deaf person and communicated very brokenly through my limited sign language taught to myself via library books. This ignited a desire to learn ASL and opened a path in my life that I would soon follow. From the age of 14, I knew that I wanted to be an Audiologist, inspired by my own childhood audiologist, Dr. Maija Sweeney. I have always been excited to use my own experiences to relate to those I serve, however I had no idea how truly right I would feel in this role. For the first time in my life, I feel as if I truly belong and am in the right place. I am constantly reassured by the many hugs, tears, and laughs I share with my patients. Gallaudet’s Au.D. program has changed me for the better, both as an Audiologist and a person outside the clinic. 

I am fortunate enough to have been able to speak with the donors of this award and hear their stories of the late Dr. Ackley. From what I learned, he is a compassionate, driven, and kind advocate, mentor, father, and friend. To be compared of his likeness with this award is one of the highest honors I have ever received, and something I carry with me daily. I strive to keep up the expectations of his name and will continue to serve through his example. 

Dr. Larry Medwetsky taught me perspective and servitude through employing me as an instructor for the Peer Mentoring Program. Clinicians Dr. Megan Hoben, Dr. Elizabeth Marcinkus, and Dr. Chizuko Tamaki pushed and motivated me to be the best Audiologist I can be through patient centered care and research based practice. Faculty Dr. David Thornton fed my sense of amazement and hunger for knowledge, never turning down my research and generally curious ideas, but rather brainstorming how we can investigate and make it happen. Most importantly, they all showed compassion and dedication to me as a student. Thank you for believing in me.

Finally, I am so incredibly lucky and grateful to have had the support system of my mother, father, and sister, cousins Alicia and Brian, dear friends Anna and Julian, and my amazing partner Alex to lift me through this journey. Love you all to the moon and back.