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Ed
Waterstreet, founder of Deaf West Theatre
and the producer of the nationally-acclaimed
play "Big River," will be awarded
an honorary degree.
In 1973,
Ms. Reagon founded Sweet Honey in the Rock,
an a cappella women’s group based
in Washington, D.C. For more than 40 years,
beginning with her participation in the
Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, she
has been a major cultural voice for justice
and freedom, singing, teaching and speaking
out on the challenges of racism, women’s
and children’s rights, peace, and
respect for all cultures. She was one of
the first musicians to include deaf and
hard of hearing people and American Sign
Language interpreters in her group’s
performances. Among the many awards Ms.
Reagon has received for her work as a scholar
in African American culture and history
are a MacArthur Fellowship, the Heinz Award
for the Arts and Humanities, and the Presidential
Medal for contributions to public understanding
the Humanities.
Mr. Waterstreet
is well-known in the Deaf Community and
beyond for his groundbreaking work as the
founder and artistic director of Deaf West.
He is a former member of the internationally
known National Theatre of the Deaf where,
with his wife, Linda Bove, he devoted many
years to performing, teaching and directing.
Mr. Waterstreet’s adaptation of Mark
Twain’s "Adventures of Huckleberry
Finn" in the play "Big River"
has been praised by theater critics throughout
the country. The play’s unique blend
deaf and hearing cultures, of American Sign
Language and spoken English, and of sights
and sounds provides audiences with a rich
and entertaining experience.
Commencement
speaker, Mr. Ken Chlouber, is sure to capture
the attention of graduates and those who
come to celebrate with them. Mr. Chlouber
is one of those larger-than-life characters
who, once they latch on to an idea they
consider truly worthwhile, refuse to let
anyone or anything keep them from turning
the idea into reality. In his case, the
idea was to resuscitate the town of Leadville,
Colorado, which had fallen on hard times
in the late 1970s due to the closure of
a number of mines in the area. Mr. Chlouber
was determined that Leadville would not
become another ghost town like so many others
in that part of Colorado. Instead, he proposed
to create what one writer calls “Colorado’s
most amazing and punishing [and magical]
race,” the Leadville 100. The first
race was held in 1983 with 45 participants
attempting to run the 100 miles of mountain
terrain; in August there were 450 runners,
among them Gallaudet President I. King Jordan,
competing in his eleventh Leadville 100
ultramarathon.
Dr.
James Fernandes, a faculty member in the
Department of Communication Studies from
1975 until his retirement last May, will
be designated Professor Emeritus during
the Commencement ceremony. Emeritus status
is awarded to a retired faculty member who
has a long established track record of excellence
in teaching and/or administration, has provided
significant service to the University, and
has produced noteworthy scholarly publications
and research. Dr. Fernandes began his Gallaudet
career as an instructor in the Department
of Communication Studies. He was promoted
to associate and full professor in the department
and in 1996, appointed acting dean for the
former College of Continuing Education.
From 2003-2005, Dr. Fernandes was the Honors
Program Capstone Coordinator, teaching and
guiding junior and senior honors students
through the thesis process. He is the author
of many scholarly works, including recently,
Signs of Eloquence: Foundations of Deaf
American Public Address [with Jane K. Fernandes].
Posted:
17 Nov 2005 |
