Gallaudet University is a federally chartered private university that is located in Washington, D.C. The university has provided higher education for the deaf and hard of hearing since 1864, and was originally a grammar school for both blind and deaf children. It was the first advanced educational institution for the deaf and hard of hearing in the entire world!
Because of the nature of the institution, one might think that the President of the university would be representative of the student population. By this I mean the president of a deaf school should be deaf, or hard of hearing, as the President should be a manifestation of the school itself. However, the University has had seven presidents since its foundation that have all been hearing. It was only in 1988, that the first Deaf president was selected by the and his name was I. King Jordan Jr. This decision, although, was not originally done by choice. Before Jordan's selection, the University’s Board of trustees had announced that the next president would also be hearing, despite advocation for a deaf person to be named president by students, facility, alumni, and members of the deaf community at large. In response to the Boards selection of a hearing candidate, Elisabeth A. Zinser, students, faculty, and staff shut down the campus. The students presented the Board of Trustees with four demands before the campus would resume.
- "Elisabeth Zinser must resign and a deaf person elected president;
- Jane Spilman must step down as chairperson of the Board of Trustees;
- Deaf people must constitute a 51% majority on the Board; and
- There would no reprisals against any student or employee involved in the protest."
The protest lasted a week, and after, Jordan was selected as the eighth president.
Since Gallaudet has made a greater effort to selected presidential candidates that are representative of the university. However, immediately after Jordan's presidency, another hearing individual was selected for the role, Robert Davila. He served as president from 2006 through 2009. The following presidents, T. Alan Hurrwitz (2010-2015) and Roberta Cordano (2016-Present) are both deaf. Additionally, Cordano identifies as female and the first openly LGBTQ+ person to be installed into the position.
I write about Gallaudet University because I am pleased to announce I have received a position as a medical assistant with a large dermatology clinic located in Alexandria, Virginia called Capital Dermatology. Being so close to Washington D.C., I plan to continue my ASL education through Gallaudet and will talk about the application process below.
I will most likely apply as a non-degree student as I have a full-time job and not be able to take a full course load. Regardless, the application requirements are as followed. Applications are $50 and include one written essay, a video essay in ASL if the student is hearing, one letter of recommendation from an academic teacher, an interview, and a letter of verification from the college/university the prospective student is enrolled at. Gallaudet also offers course options for exchange students, online special students, visiting students, and graduate programs.
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