Artistry of Paul Johnson @Gallaudet

Here's some info from Gallaudet on an upcoming reception and exhibit the University is hosting:

Opening reception for 'Three Dimensional Mythology: The Artistry of Paul Johnston'

Join the Gallaudet University Art Department for an opening reception for "Three Dimensional Mythology: The Artistry of Paul Johnston's Handscape Masks" on Tuesday, February 5, 4-6 p.m., Washburn Arts Building lobby. Enjoy food and festivities and celebrate Fat Tuesday and the kick-off of this new colorful exhibit.

Dr. Johnston has created a mysterious and multifaceted vision of deaf culture that reflects his deeply personal journey growing up deaf in a hearing world. The masks confront a variety of issues, from the struggle to acquire language to combating stereotypes. Each character's individuality confronts the notion that all deaf people are alike, said Johnston, a long-time Gallaudet professor.

These vibrant fusions of eyes, hands, and faces derive their personality from the expressive nature of sign language. Over a 10-year period, Johnston has created 50 masks from mixed media, enlivening each with brightly colored paint, feathers, and ornate wire. He has created four mythological character groups: performer, learner, communicator, and worker.

The exhibit will run February 5-March 5. The Linda K. Jordan Gallery is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

VOH: New Off Campus Policies @ Gallaudet

Check out this Voice of the Hill piece on combined efforts on behalf of Gallaudet, the community, & the police to take wild off campus student behavior.

Probation For Gallaudet

I somehow missed this Post piece on Gallaudet officially being placed on probation. The school had long been threatened with losing its accreditation in part because of its very low graduation rate (around 42%). The Baltimore Sun reports on the issue here and here.

You may also be interested in this audiovisual feature on the Deaf Basketball Elite Camp operating on the campus this summer.

Gallaudet students during a protest that shut down the school last year.

CNN: Gallaudet Accreditation at Risk

Not the first time this has benn mentioned, but here's another story on ongoing problems at Gallaudet that raise questions about the institution's future (recent improvements have been noted). The primary factor that usually gets tossed out? The low graduation rate. The story says it is consistently below 50%. I think recent numbers are around 40% (but don't quote me on that).

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UPDATE
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Here is a link to some numbers.

A Note Re: Deaf Constituents

Did anyone notice the recent announcement regarding effforts by ANC 6A to get an ASL interpreter? Personally, I think this is a great move. We certainly have a great number of deaf/hard of hearing residents. This is another reason that (in my mind at least) ANC 6A continues to represent the front line on ANC progress. It is surely something I will explore with ANC 5B (at the least I will mention it at the next Committee of the Whole, and send out some feelers in the deaf community). It might also be something that ANC 6C should consider.

WP: Jordan Leaves Gallaudet

The Post has a story on I. King. Jordan's departure from Gallaudet that looks at his legacy and how it may have been altered by the protests last years.


Here is a transcript of the interview with Interim President Bob Davila. Here's a transcript of Mr. Davila's post-holiday welcome back speech to the Gallaudet community where he outlines some of his plans for the University until such time when a new President can be chosen and take office.

Examiner: Gallaudet to Punish Protestors

Read the recent story here.

WP: Gallaudet Gets New Interim President

The University has chosen a new leader (if only temporarily), a nationally known deaf figure. , The Board, the faculty, and the students have all reportedly expressed approval of the choice. Robert Davila, the man to head the school, comes from an interesting background, and was once an assistant secretary at the US Department of Education.