1. March 6 – 13, 1988

2. Deaf President Now! Began as a movement long before 1988
Fueled by Deaf Community’s desire to see a Deaf president at Gallaudet
During Gallaudet’s 124 year history, all presidents were hearing
Deaf people felt it was time for change

3. It all began….
In 1983, Gallaudet’s 6th president, Dr. Jerry Lee, was appointed by the Board of Trustees. He was formerly the V.P for Administration & Business at Gallaudet and was named President of the university for a specific reason. That reason was to straighten out Gallaudet’s financial situation, which was in a terrible mess at the time. His appointment as President was understood to be temporary – never permanent.
During Dr. Lee’s tenure as President of GU, the DPN movement was born. Deaf people realized that now was a good time to begin advocating for a Deaf president, so that when Lee left, the Board of Trustees would be aware of the community’s wishes and appoint a Deaf person accordingly. Committees were formed, including the President’s Council on Deafness (PDC), to research the role of Deaf people on campus at GU. In addition, members of the Deaf community both on and off campus began contacting the members of the BoT via letters, s, phone calls, etc. expressing their desire to have a Deaf president.
In August, 1987, Dr. Lee announced his upcoming resignation to become a CEO of the Bassett Furniture Company. Throughout his tenure, he had strongly supported the idea of a Deaf president for Gallaudet.

4. Dr. Jerry Lee
6th President

5. The Final 3 Candidates!

6. Dr. Harvey Corson Born Deaf
Alumni of Gallaudet University – Class of 1964
Superintendent of the Louisiana School for the Deaf
Later became Executive Director of the American School for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut

7. Dr. I King Jordan
Became Deaf at the age of 21 from a motorcycle accident
Graduated from Gallaudet 1970 with a B.A. in psychology
Started as a professor of psychology at GU, moving up to Chair of the Department
Appointed GU Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1986

8. Dr. Elisabeth Zinser Hearing Native of Meadville, PA
B.A. from Stanford in California
Assistant Chancellor of the University of North Carolina, Greensboro
No prior experience with Deaf people or knowledge of ASL
Later became President of Southern Oregon University

9. Three Candidates (12 Years Later)

10. The Four
Student Leaders

11. Tim Rarus Deaf from a Deaf family From Arizona
Government Major –Class of 1988
Outgoing President of SBG
On the President’s Search Committee
Very outspoken

12. Greg Hlibok Deaf from a Deaf family From New York
Government Major –Class of 1989
Recently elected President of SBG
“Face of DPN”
Calm & professional

13. Jerry Covell Deaf From Missouri Government Major – Class of 1989
Competed against Hlibok for SBG Presidency
Fiery & passionate speaker

14. Bridgetta Bourne-Firl
Deaf
From California (?)
Government Major – Class of 1989
Ran with Covell for SBG
Soft-spoken but politically active
Organizer

15. Reasons for DPN’s Success
Strong leadership both on and off campus
Widespread support from within and outside the Deaf Community
Extensive media coverage
Happened at the right time and the right place

16. Results of DPN
Gallaudet University’s first Deaf President – Dr. I King Jordan
Increased awareness of and respect for the Deaf
Self-empowerment for Deaf People; Deaf Pride, Deaf Identity, Deaf Power
Passage of important Disability legislation - ADA

17. “Deaf people can do anything…except hear.”
Dr. I King Jordan
8th President
“Deaf people can do anything…except hear.”

18. Gallaudet’s Three Deaf Presidents Since DPN
Dr. I King Jordan, Dr. T Alan Hurwitz & Dr. Robert Davila