Lory Chrane was originally a special education major before stepping into the world of speech-language pathology. Before she joined the Wildcat family, Lory attended Valdosta State University in Georgia until she met her soon-to-be husband. After they married, she transferred to Abilene Christian University (ACU) in her junior year to pursue a B.A. in Communication Disorders. What inspired her decision to change majors was her husband’s family members, who have intellectual learning disabilities. While visiting her in-laws, Lory was introduced to speech therapists and saw firsthand treatments and planning for certain intellectual disabilities. “I would visit them and hear about their therapist, “Lory recalled, “And I thought I could be a speech therapist.”
After graduating from ACU with her master’s in 1991, Lory went on to practice as a speech-language pathologist for over 15 years in Texas and Virginia. It wasn’t until her father-in-law’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis that Lory returned to ACU and began teaching. However, God would have another plan for her career, guiding her into roles that would go on to shape ACU’s residential and online Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) programs.
Channeling Her Passion Through Educating Others
A long-time faculty member at ACU, Lory has spent nearly a decade educating and shaping speech-language pathologists. Her teaching journey began at ACU’s residential campus, serving as an instructor for communication sciences and disorders, social work and more. After nine years of teaching, she was appointed as the director of undergraduate studies for the Communication Sciences and Disorders program. “I have loved teaching. I love pouring into the new generation,” Lory beamed.
In her time as an educator, Lory has had the opportunity to bond and connect with her students. She describes her relationships with former students as her favorite part of teaching. “Being able to see all of the work that students who have graduated are doing in the world. I love seeing them pour into a client. They’ll email me and talk about how their work and relationships are going.” Lory is also involved with Wildcats on Academic Mission, through which she leads students in clinical mission work in countries like Uganda, as well as other places.
Now, Lory’s passion is being fueled by a new project outside of teaching students. She is stepping into the vital role of division director for the M.S. in Speech Language Pathology program, being developed for ACU Online. Launching in January 2026, this program will offer interactive learning in an online modality with 2-year and 3-year tracks that can accommodate full-time students or working professionals.
Speech-Language Pathology Is More Than A Career
Speech-language pathology is more than a profession for Lory; it’s deeply rooted in service and compassion. “This field is our ministry. We’re meeting people at such a difficult time in their lives,” Lory said. She thoughtfully explains the important work that SLPs provide to their communities and how they impact families. From there, Lory emphasizes the importance of technology and tools that are helping patients overcome their disabilities, such as Talk to Speak and AAC.
“ACU has a rigorous admission process and application,“Lory explained. She continues, “We feel ethically responsible to make sure students know what they’re getting into.” As of August, Lory has been interviewing students and seeing a high number of bilingual and multicultural applicants and applications from speech-language pathology assistants. On top of that, applicants are gravitating to ACU to receive a faith-based learning experience to deepen their faith and grow their skillset to become licensed. “We’re going to have a faith-focused SLP degree program. We have varied people applying, so they’re going to be serving with that lens. So that’s really exciting to me.” Lory is hoping to reach a wider audience with the new online SLP program and begin transforming students who can treat and help families navigate speech and intellectual disabilities.
Shifting To Online Learning
For Lory, the shift into the online space is more than making an online-friendly curriculum. “ACU is so relational,” she shared, emphasizing ACU’s commitment to fostering relationships with each student. Lory intends to build an online program that will allow cohorts to grow, have upperclassmen serve as mentors to new students and even provide opportunities for spiritual formation.
Transitioning a residential program to an online format is no simple undertaking, but Lory has been deeply encouraged by the collaborative process taking place behind the scenes. “We are really fortunate that subject matter experts are helping to transfer residential learning content to an online modality. The content will remain similar, and the accrediting body will help guide this to the online coursework,” she explained. In fact, one unique aspect of the online SLP program is how it will offer students computer and in-person simulations that will provide real-life training to develop clinical readiness.
As ACU Online is gearing up to welcome the first cohorts for its online SLP program, Lory offers advice for students interested in becoming speech pathologists: “Really approach it with the [same] seriousness as you would with any program. Being more than organized and independent.” Lory goes on, “You have to say to yourself, ‘I’m gonna have to take the lead and self-advocate. I’m gonna have to ask questions.’ Be a strong communicator. Don’t do the bare minimum, [it’s] more than just a grade. You need to develop the skills.”
Whether students are preparing for licensure, seeking to advance their careers, or feeling called to serve their communities through communication and care, ACU Online offers a supportive environment where their goals can take shape. The integration of a curriculum designed by professionals and experts in speech-language pathology, paired with Christian values, creates an educational pathway that nurtures both professional competence and personal spiritual growth.
Those ready to take the next step in their academic and professional journeys will find that ACU Online faculty and staff are prepared to walk alongside them. For more information, visit acu.edu/online.
