IM this article to a friend!

February 16, 2007

Gallaudet Marks 150th Anniversary of Federal Charter

From: WJLA - Washington,DC,USA - Feb 16, 2007

Gallaudet University is marking a milestone Friday. The nation's premier liberal arts institution for the deaf and hearing impaired was granted its federal charter 150 years ago Friday.

On February, 16th, 1857, the 34th Congress passed a measure providing funding for the institution that became Gallaudet University.

University officials plan to mark the school's sesquicentennial with a year of programs and events at the university and its affiliated institutions.

The events include an international conference on deaf history in April, reunions of former students from Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, and discussions on issues including segregation.

Kendall had a separate division for black children from 1952 through 1954. The program was abolished when the Supreme Court ruled that separate but equal establishments were inherently unequal.

© 2007 WJLA-TV