An Open Letter to the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees: 

Dr. I. King Jordan, president of Gallaudet University, recently announced his resignation effective at the end of 2006. The Board of Directors of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) applauds Dr. Jordan's foresight for providing advance notice for the University community to conduct a quality search effort that will result in selection of a qualified deaf person as the next president of Gallaudet University. We also fully concur with Dr. Glenn Anderson's statement that "King Jordan is an extraordinary man who was the 'right person at the right time' to lead Gallaudet University" and his view that "his tenure will be remembered for his outstanding accomplishments both as a Chief Executive and as a role model." The NAD is very appreciative of Dr. Jordan's exemplary leadership.

The relationship between the NAD and Gallaudet University has been long and fruitful, spanning over one hundred years. During this time Edward Miner Gallaudet gave civil rights speeches at national NAD conventions, the NAD donated the famed Gallaudet-Cogswell statue to the Kendall Green campus, and the NAD provided leadership prior to and during the Deaf President Now protest. These examples also demonstrate the interdependent relationship between our entities.

It is with this close relationship in mind that the NAD Board of Directors is pleased to share its perspective on the selection process for the next president of Gallaudet University.

In 1988, Vice President George H. W. Bush stated that "as an entity funded by the Federal government, Gallaudet has a responsibility to set an example and thus to appoint a President who is not only highly qualified, but who is also deaf." Also, two months prior to the Deaf President Now protest, Senator Robert Dole of Kansas stated that the University must place a deaf individual in the position of the Presidency and other positions as "role models for deaf students who can see and admire them and dream." Those expectations are no less true today than it was then.

Bush and Dole's views were, in essence, an endorsement of the position taken by the NAD in October 1987, five months prior to the Deaf President Now protest. At that time, the NAD set historic precedent by publishing a call for a deaf president of Gallaudet in its official publication, The NAD Broadcaster. Subsequently, the NAD took on an active leadership role prior to and during the Deaf President Now protest.

Dr. Jordan's leadership has opened countless doors for deaf and hard of hearing Americans. His work has had a lasting impact, resulting in unprecedented opportunities across the country, and even worldwide. Without question, the next President of Gallaudet needs to be ready to take on the challenges inherent to this vitally significant role.

We expect that the Board of Trustees will conduct a national search for a person that goes beyond the basic requirements of being deaf, possessing an earned doctoral degree, being able to lead the University in academic excellence, being an effective fund raiser, and establishing positive relationships with members of Congress. The position of the President of Gallaudet University calls for so much more.

The next President needs to understand, as Bush, Dole, and Jordan did, that Gallaudet has a unique mission - it is not only an institution of higher education - it also serves as a beacon of hope for all deaf citizens of the world.

The next Gallaudet University president, like Dr. Jordan, must also have a deep understanding of the challenges faced by deaf people every day in this country and worldwide. Jobs are still not easily available. Lack of communication access still exists in many areas of life. The next President needs to be able to understand these daily challenges and be able to convey this understanding both through words and deeds.

Even with the advent and the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), deaf people nationwide continue to struggle to exercise their basic civil rights including access to basic government programs and services. The next President must continue Dr. Jordan's legacy with a keen understanding of the civil rights movement and its emphasis on equality, educational opportunities, and economic advancement - in a way that current and future generations of deaf and hard of hearing Gallaudet students can accomplish their lifelong goals. The University campus, both within and outside the classroom, must also be geared to the pursuit of this civil rights vision.

Gallaudet University serves a role for deaf and hard of hearing students similar to that of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for African-Americans. Gallaudet and its next president must re-commit to preparing deaf and hard of hearing students for leadership and service to our nation and the global community. The University must also continue to be a place where students can come to study, free of oppression. Gallaudet, as the world's only liberal arts university for deaf students, has a special responsibility for teaching students about the history and culture of deaf people in the same manner as HBCUs in teaching the history and culture of African-American people.

Dr. Jordan has been and continues to be a role model, projecting a positive image of a successful deaf person in a significant position of leadership. The next president must also take on the responsibility of serving as an exemplary leader who appreciates the uniqueness of being deaf, being content with his/her identity as a deaf person, and having a thorough knowledge of deaf culture and history. Edwin Booth who chaired the first NAD national convention in 1880 stated, "We have interests peculiar to ourselves which can be taken care of by ourselves." Accordingly, Gallaudet University must have as its next president, a recognized member of the deaf community who will promote an expanded vision for Gallaudet in the coming years.

Gallaudet University, from the very beginning under its first president Edward Miner Gallaudet, has been a proponent of sign language. Accordingly, the next president of Gallaudet must continue to be a fluent user and proponent of American Sign Language and be committed to communication access throughout the campus as well as in its affairs off campus.

Following in Dr. Jordan's footsteps, the next president must also be a visionary in promoting academic excellence, as well as committed to diversity in hiring and promoting qualified deaf administrators, faculty, and staff members.

If not Gallaudet, where else! If not the next President, who?

In light of the long and harmonious relationship between the National Association of the Deaf and Gallaudet University, the NAD Board of Directors seeks invitation by the Gallaudet Board of Trustees to appoint a NAD representative to participate in the process for selection of the new Gallaudet president. Such representation would enable the nation’s most prestigious civil rights organization to provide relevant input on behalf of the American deaf community. The synergy from the combined efforts of both entities would produce powerful results.

The NAD Board of Directors is highly committed to supporting the Gallaudet Board of Trustees during this significant process that will have a long lasting impact on the University and the lives of all of us. We also believe that the Gallaudet University president selection process carries the added responsibility of encouraging qualified candidates to apply for what remains a historically significant position of leadership for the nation and, indeed, the entire deaf world.

Sincerely,

NAD Board of Directors

National Association of the Deaf

September 29, 2005