Celebrating 150 Years of Visionary Leadership

In 2014, Gallaudet University will reach an estimable milestone—150 years since that spring day when President Abraham Lincoln, amidst the uncertainty and trials of the third year of the country's Civil War, quietly signed a bill authorizing the institution that would become known as Gallaudet University to confer college degrees for deaf students. It was the realization of a dream and the removal of a barrier to higher education.

Nominate a Visionary Leader

The Sesquicentennial Steering Committee is calling for nominations from the campus community and alumni to nominate "Visionary Leaders" to be featured throughout the 15-month long sesquicentennial celebrations. More information about the nomination criteria and the online nomination form.

The deadline to submit a nomination is April 30, 2013.

Symposium - Call for Papers

On April 9-10, 2014, Gallaudet will host a 2-day symposium. Organizers seek proposals for presentations that explore Deaf history and culture, especially those that intersect with Gallaudet's history and legacy.

Interested presenters can submit a short proposal (no more than 250 words) or signed proposal (no more than 2 minutes). More information.

The deadline to submit a proposal is October 30, 2013.

Lecture Series

As part of the celebration, Provost Weiner recently announced that a Sesquicentennial Lecture Series (SLS), will take place during the 2013-2014 academic year to bring distinguished guests and alumni to campus to share their significant expertise and instrumental contributions to the global community.

The Sesquicentennial Lecture Series Committee consists of Dr. Brian Greenwald, chair; Dr. Teresa Blankmeyer Burke; Dr. Caroline Solomon, and Dr. Gaurav Mathur. They are soliciting recommendations for presenters who have demonstrated visionary leadership or have made substantial contributions in fields including, but not limited to, the arts, sciences, humanities, law, medicine, and business.

Theme and Goals:

In order to provide direction for sesquicentennial planning, the President and Steering Committee developed the theme:

Gallaudet University: Celebrating 150 Years of Visionary Leadership

This theme will guide decisions on all activities planned in recognition of Gallaudet University’s sesquicentennial. The year-long celebration will recognize the past but focus on the future and the many ways Gallaudet University continues to offer visionary leadership.

Goals: All constituencies and components of the campus are involved in developing a series of events that commemorate our history, inspire our future, and extend our communications reach. Sesquicentennial activities will:

• Honor Gallaudet University’s 150 years of academic excellence and use this milestone to launch new initiatives, discussions and partnerships leading the University forward.
• Emphasize that we are first and foremost a university in which academic discourse plays a central role.
• Recognize the University’s unique place in Deaf history.
• Acknowledge and celebrate both the continuity and the change our campus has seen, including Gallaudet University’s progression towards greater diversity of people and ideas.
• Demonstrate Gallaudet’s impact on the world and underscore the University’s leadership role on the local, national and international level.
• Highlight the continuous support of Gallaudet’s alumni and collaborations with the Gallaudet University Alumni Association.