Interesting things in the Deaf blog world history.

G'day Everyone.


In 1988, we didn't have much of an Internet services. We had to rely on old fashioned devices of TTYs and word of mouth to talk about what went on at Gallaudet University. The first protest had hit the campus. By the time the extensive media coverage was over, Gallaudet was changed forever. It was the only time our deaf community came together to make history. It was beneficial then. Jordan became our President of GU then. By then bulletin board systems (bbs) were just then on dial-up.


By the time the Internet service providers started, we finally came off the dial-up boards and chat rooms. We finally had new ways to communicate. Then came the 2006 protest that took the Deaf blog world and the campus by the storm. The media came again. Instead of TTYs, we had pagers and side kicks galore. There came the division of the Gallaudet campus after the protest. I would say it was the "PERFECT DEAF COMMUNICATION STORM" at that time. History got changed again.


After Jordan left and Davila came in as a temporary President, Davila had the challenge to pull our campus and the deaf community together again. For the most part, Davila was suppose to have been there for a year or a two. But, no.. it was three years before the GU BOTs finally realized they better get their act together and find someone to replace the temporary (now our 9th) President Davila. But Davila did change and transformed the campus. "Team Gallaudet" was the theme of his era.


Present time: Here we are in the age of modern blogs, Instant Messengers, emails, sidekicks, cell phones and various pagers. The recent addition to our Deaf communication culture is various types of Video Phones(VPs).


Yet, save for Sunday, October 18th, 2009. In a very cautious low-key event by the GU Board of Trustees, Dr. Alan Hurwitz was announced and selected as the 10th President of Gallaudet University. It was kind of a way that would kick-off the opening events for the Gallaudet University Homecoming this week. As President-elect Hurwits begins his transition from NTID to GU, President Davila enters his last 2.5 months in lame duck status.


We all seem to be in a congratulations mode that the GU community will finally move on from the events that have plagued this campus. By the time Davila departs on December 31, Hurwits has to work to bring some of the brightest deaf and hearing minds to attend Gallaudet University. He has to bring the number of students attending GU to higher level. What will Hurwitz's theme be when he starts his duties? I don't think he will continue "Team Gallaudet". I believe he will create a NEW theme.


By the time we all arrive on campus for the homecoming, this should be a time of celebration. A time to hope that the coming five years will put Gallaudet University back on the Higher Education map. Not because of popularity, but for the purpose that Gallaudet can train the deaf and hard of hearing to work professionally in the hearing community.


When January 2010 happens, Davila is retired again. The era of troublesome times are past and the Hurwitz era begins. Best wishes and prayers are for you Dr. Hurwitz, because we have a long road to travel down. Let's hope it's a smooth one!

Let's celebrate this GU Homecoming 2009 as one of the best days to happen!

Semper FI.