Gallaudet Lauds President Search

From: Washington Post, United States - Apr 20, 2006

Hundreds of Gallaudet University students rallied on their football field yesterday as the search for a new president neared its end.

There are now three finalists: Jane K. Fernandes, the provost; Stephen F. Weiner, a professor and former dean at Gallaudet; and Ronald Stern, superintendent of the New Mexico School for the Deaf.

A spokeswoman said Gallaudet officials hope to announce their selection before the semester ends.

Some students are upset about the process or about individual candidates, said senior Anthony Mowl, but the overall message yesterday was one of celebration: Eighteen years after student protests made history at Gallaudet, forcing trustees to hire a deaf president, the finalists to replace longtime leader I. King Jordan are all deaf.

"I think we're really seeing the benefits of DPN [the Deaf President Now movement launched on campus] today," Mowl said through a phone interpreter.

"The fact that the deaf community is so involved in the presidential search and every single one of the [candidates] being discussed is deaf really speaks volumes," Mowl added.

-- Susan Kinzie

© 2006 The Washington Post Company