Dr. Irving King Jordan, Jr.

Dr. Irving King Jordan, Jr.

The First Deaf President of Gallaudet University

Later Life

Accident Causing Deafness

Search for a New President- Deaf President Now Movement

Early Life

• 1966 enrolled at Gallaudet University knowing no sign language
• "I was a hearing person who couldn't hear" -King
• In 1968 married Linda Marie Kephart
• Had 2 children
• Graduated in 1970 with a B.A. in Psychology, and went to Univ. of Tennessee for postgraduate work
• Earned his Masters in 1971, and Doctorate in 1973
• Returned to Gallaudet and joined the Department of Psychology
• Became an assistant professor, then associate professor, then full professor, then department chair, then Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

• In 1965, age 21, King Jordan, Jr. was riding his motorcycle back to the barracks one evening
• A car heading in the opposite direction turned into his path and he was thrown over the hood and went through the windshield
• The rearview mirrors cracked open his skull and broke his jaw
• He was rushed to the George Washington University Medical Center
• He survived, but was hospitalized for 14 months
• Cranial Nerve VIII had been severed, resulting in profound deafness
• Doctors initially thought the deafness would be temporary

• In 1987 the current President of Gallaudet resigned
• King decided to seek the position of President
• Alumni and other advocates urged for the selection of a deaf president
• He was one of 3 final candidates, and 2 of which were Deaf
• Students, faculty, and staff started the Deaf President Now rally on March 1st, 1988
• On March 6th, voted 10-4 in favor of Zinser
• Initially King Jordan, Jr. took a "hands-off" position
• March 9th, met with Zinser and 4 student leaders
• Students refused to support Zinser
• Jordan affirmed his support for Zinser

• Born in Glen Riddle, PA on June 16th, 1943
• Describes himself as a "very...average student"
• Not motivated to attend college
• Enlisted in the Navy after High School

Final Results of Deaf President Now

A New life

Dr. Irving King Jordan, Jr. contributions to Deaf World

• Zinser resigned when realizing the enormity of the DPN movement
• The board reunited, King was phone-paged and informed that he was chosen as president
• Unanimous votes for King
• Celebrations began
• March 13th,1988 elected as the First Deaf President of Gallaudet University
• Monday March 14th, 1988, first day as president

• Torn between Deaf and Hearing worlds once having hearing taken away
• After coming to terms with his deafness, he moved on with his new life
• "Gallaudet changed my life. When I learned about Gallaudet and visited, I saw that there are many deaf people who are very happy and well adjusted. It took me some time, but finally I realized I was permanently deaf and began to learn how to be a deaf person."
• Became interested in pursuing an education

• Gallaudet saw an increase in funding under King's presidency
• Added raised platforms to lecture halls to better see professors
• Introduced new technology to improve students' communication
• King retired as Gallaudet's President in 2006

References

More contributions to Deaf World

Armstrong, D.F. (2007). SLS Interview: With I. King Jordan. Retrieved from https://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/sign_language_studies/v007/7.3jordan.pdf

Caseykins. (2009, May 15). I. King Jordan: Deaf Leader. Retrieved from https://ifmyhandscouldspeak.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/i-king-jordan-deaf-leader/

Gallaudet University. Dr. I. King Jordan Short Biography. Retrieved from https://www.gallaudet.edu/history/presidents/jordan-iking.html

• Spokesperson for Deaf and hard of hearing people
• An advocate for people with disabilities all over the world
• An overall positive mindset that Deaf people CAN achieve high aspirations
• Famous quote: "Deaf people can do anything hearing people can do, except hear." -King