The Campus That Changed the World: How Gallaudet Redefined What It Mea

Image Source: Gallaudet University

Gallaudet University, located in Washington, D.C., stands as a beacon of Deaf education and cultural empowerment, with a history deeply intertwined with the advancement of Deaf rights and American Sign Language (ASL).

Key Takeaways

Founding & History: Established in 1857, Gallaudet is the world’s leading university for Deaf education, awarding degrees since 1864 and evolving into a K–PhD institution focused on ASL and Deaf culture.
DPN Protest (1988): A landmark movement led to the first Deaf president (Dr. I. King Jordan) and a Deaf-majority board, advancing Deaf self-governance and influencing disability rights globally.
ASL & Deaf Culture Hub: Specializes in ASL linguistics, Deaf studies, and accessible tech; hosts the National Deaf Life Museum and promotes bilingual (ASL/English) education.
Legacy & Impact: Alumni like Troy Kotsur and Nyle DiMarco lead in entertainment/activism; global initiatives (Clerc Center) shape Deaf education and cultural preservation.

Here’s a detailed exploration of its legacy and intriguing facets:

Founding and Evolution

Gallaudet traces its roots to 1856 when Amos Kendall, a former U.S. Postmaster General, donated land in Washington, D.C., to establish a school for 12 deaf and 6 blind children. In 1857, Congress chartered it as the Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind, with Edward Miner Gallaudet (son of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of the first permanent U.S. school for the Deaf) as its superintendent.

In 1864, President Abraham Lincoln signed legislation enabling the institution to award college degrees, marking its transformation into the National Deaf-Mute College (later renamed Gallaudet College in 1894 and Gallaudet University in 1986). The university expanded its mission in 1966 with the Model Secondary School for the Deaf and in 1970 with the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, becoming a K–PhD institution for Deaf learners .

The Deaf President Now (DPN) Protest

In 1988, Gallaudet made global headlines during the Deaf President Now movement. After the board of trustees repeatedly appointed hearing presidents, students, faculty, and alumni staged an 8-day protest demanding a Deaf president. Their demands included:

Resignation of the hearing president, Elizabeth Zinser.
Removal of the board chair, Jane Spilman.
A 51% Deaf majority on the board.
No reprisals against protesters.

The movement succeeded when Dr. I. King Jordan became the first Deaf president, symbolizing self-determination for the Deaf community. DPN catalyzed broader societal recognition of Deaf rights, influencing the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and inspiring similar movements worldwide .

Cultural and Academic Impact

ASL and Deaf Culture

Gallaudet is a global hub for ASL research and education. Its ASL programs offer undergraduate and graduate degrees, emphasizing linguistics, interpretation, and Deaf cultural studies. The university’s National Deaf Life Museum preserves artifacts, films, and historical documents, including early ASL films by George Veditz, and hosts exhibits like History Through Deaf Eyes and We, Native Deaf People, Are Still Here!.

Academic Excellence

With over 50 majors and 30 minors, Gallaudet’s curriculum spans fields like ASL, Deaf Studies, and International Development. Recent additions include Data Science and Accessible Human-Centered Computing, reflecting its commitment to innovation. The university’s Deaf Studies program fosters critical analysis of Deaf identity, with alumni like Behnam Guity advocating for Deaf rights in Iran and Mami Kawakami working as a global interpreter .

Student Life and Traditions

Homecoming Week: Features alumni reunions, sports events, and the College Bowl academic competition.
Charter Day: Celebrates Lincoln’s 1864 charter signing with a brunch and awards ceremony.
DPN Week: Honors the 1988 protest through panel discussions and exhibits.
Student Organizations: Over several clubs, including the Black Student Union, Asian Pacific Islander Association, and Students Against Mass Incarceration, foster diversity and activism .

Notable Alumni

Gallaudet has shaped influential figures across industries:

Nyle DiMarco: Model and actor, winner of America’s Next Top Model and Dancing with the Stars.
Troy Kotsur: Academy Award-winning actor for CODA (2021), the first Deaf man to win an Oscar.
Lauren Ridloff: Actress in The Walking Dead and Eternals, first Deaf woman to star in a Marvel film.
George Veditz: Early ASL preservationist, whose 1913 film The Preservation of the Sign Language is in the National Film Registry.
Andrew J. Foster: First Black Deaf graduate of Gallaudet, missionary who established schools for the Deaf in Africa .

Legacy and Global Influence

Gallaudet’s impact extends beyond academia. Its Clerc Center provides resources for Deaf education worldwide, while its Motion Light Lab explores visual technologies for learning. The university’s Deaf Studies Digital Journal and ASL Connect online courses democratize access to Deaf culture.

Today, Gallaudet continues to challenge perceptions, with 90% of its faculty fluent in ASL and a campus where Deaf and hearing students coexist in a bilingual (ASL/English) environment. As the only university designed for Deaf learners, it remains a testament to resilience and the power of inclusive education .

From its humble beginnings to its role as a civil rights catalyst, Gallaudet University embodies the enduring legacy of Deaf empowerment—a story of perseverance, innovation, and the celebration of a vibrant, global community.

FAQ

What was the "Deaf President Now" protest?

A 1988 student-led movement demanded a Deaf university president, resulting in Dr. I. King Jordan’s appointment and a Deaf-majority board. It marked a pivotal win for Deaf autonomy and influenced the ADA, inspiring disability rights worldwide.

How does Gallaudet support Deaf students?

It offers ASL-fluent faculty, programs in ASL/Deaf studies, and cultural resources like the National Deaf Life Museum. Student life celebrates Deaf identity through traditions (DPN Week) and inclusive clubs, with a focus on bilingual (ASL/English) learning.

Why is Gallaudet key for ASL preservation?

As a global leader in ASL research and education, it documents ASL’s history (e.g., George Veditz’s films) and promotes its academic recognition, countering historical suppression. Degrees in ASL train advocates who protect and advance the language worldwide.

by Serena Clark