On April 28, Lehman College honored Professor Wendy Papir-Bernstein, who has dedicated more than four decades to teaching, mentoring, and shaping the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. In recognition of her exceptional contributions to the college and the community, New York City Council Member Eric Dinowitz presented her with an official City Council Citation during a celebratory event on campus.

Wendy reflected on the recognition, saying, "I feel so much appreciation for the love, support and encouragement that my Lehman College community has shown to me over the years and throughout this event.  Words cannot express the scope of my emotions—gratitude as well as disbelief that this celebration was actually about me.  As I was participating with the event and listening to the speeches, I felt a bit "out of body” and it was not until the next day, when I was able to listen again to the speeches on the Zoom recording, that it truly sunk in.  How fortunate I have been with my Lehman work family over the years…thank you to Peggy Conner and the entire  Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Department for organizing this amazing event."

A guiding force in the department, Professor Papir-Bernstein has been instrumental in training generations of speech-language pathology and audiology professionals, expanding clinical programming, and fostering a culture of academic excellence.

The celebration drew colleagues, alumni, and current students—many of whom have been directly impacted by her mentorship, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the field.

In 2024, she deepened that commitment with a major philanthropic gift of $100,000 to the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences—an act of generosity that reflects her enduring support for student success and the future of the profession.