I. King Jordan, Gallaudet

Dr. I. King Jordan

Born Irving King Jordan and raised in the small Philadelphia suburb, Glen Riddle, I. King Jordan, Ph.D., is arguably one of the most influential people in changing the conventions formerly known about and by deaf culture. Dr. Jordan was not born deaf, but was injured in a motorcycle accident that left him near death and deaf when he was 21 years of age. At that time, Dr. Jordan was serving in the United States Navy and was consequently discharged and decided to pursue his early postsecondary education at Gallaudet University in Washington D.C., where he returned to make the biggest difference the institution or the United States has ever seen.

I. King Jordan achieved his undergraduate degree in psychology from Gallaudet University in 1970. He went on to attend the University of Tennessee where he achieved his Master’s Degree in 1971 and his Doctorate of Philosophy in 1973. “Upon earning his doctorate, he joined the Gallaudet faculty as a teacher in the psychology department. At the time he became president of Gallaudet, Dr. Jordan had been acting as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.” (Wikipedia, Jordan).

A few years ago, Dr. Jordan made a guest appearance on the fifth edition of the television program “To Tell the Truth,” which ran from 2000-2002. He did quite well in fooling the panel and audience and he donated his winnings to Gallaudet University (he was also pleased to see Kitty Carlisle). (Wikipedia, Truth). Some time not long after his game show appearance, Dr. Jordan was interviewed by Ability Magazine’s Chet Cooper where he shared that “Gallaudet opened my eyes to the fact that deafness should not be a barrier to education, should not be a barrier to occupation.” (Ability, Cooper). Repeatedly, he relates to us that deaf are normal.

Dr. Jordan’s journey to University President seems like a logical one; however immediately prior to being granted the position of the first deaf University President since the school opened in 1864, the Board of Trustees “selected a hearing woman with little experience in the field of deaf education, and with no sign language skills, over several qualified deaf applicants.” (Gallaudet Press Release, 2005). The appointment of an under qualified hearing person over other very qualified deaf applicants outraged the student body and prompted the historic Deaf President Now (DPN) eight days student strike, which pushed for the university to select a deaf president. (Jordan, Wikipedia). The strike was effective and on March 13, 1988 I. King Jordan became President of Gallaudet University. “When he took the job, he was quoted as saying, ‘Deaf people can do anything but hear.’ This set the tone for his reign and has become an important part of his legacy.” (Jordan, Wikipedia). Dr. Jordan’s message that deaf are normal has been heard.

During Dr. Jordan’s 17 years tenure at Gallaudet, the university’s endowment has increased “from $5 million to $150 million and federal appropriations rose to more than $100 million a year…Not long ago, many finished Gallaudet and could not get jobs. Now, 95 percent of graduates go on to careers or graduate school.” (Kinzie, Washington Post) Dr. Jordan was also instrumental in achieving the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 where he was “a lead witness in support of the ADA during a joint session of Congress.” (Gallaudet Press Release, 2005). He has participated in and facilitated numerous changes in resources for the deaf community and