Commencement not only sent the Class of 2026 out into the world, but it also recognized a group of retired professors who have helped shape Gallaudet into the remarkable institution it is today. These seven faculty members, all giants in their respective fields who have contributed enormously to the education of countless students, were honored with emeritus status:
-Dr. Benjamin Bahan, ’79
Pioneering researcher who has significantly advanced the understanding of Deaf culture, storytelling, and ASL linguistics
–Dr. Beth Sonnenstrahl Benedict, ’80 & G-’03
Deaf education and early involvement advocate, Professor of Communication Studies, and former Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions and Outreach
-Professor Sarah Burton Doleac, ’82
Gallaudet Athletics Hall of Famer and beloved softball coach known for integrating physical education with personal development
-Dr. Arlene Blumenthal Kelly, ’77 & G-’92
Long-time influential leader of Gallaudet’s Deaf Studies program who has championed research on Deaf women
–Dr. Carolyn McCaskill, ’77, G-’79 & PhD ’05
Founding Director of Gallaudet’s Center for Black Deaf Studies and co-author of the seminal book “The Hidden Treasure of Black ASL: Its History and Structure”
–Dr. Elizabeth A. Moore, ’81, G-’94 & PhD ’11
Dedicated Department Chair of the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Master of Social Work programs who then served as interim Chief Diversity Officer
-Dr. Laura-Ann Petitto
Mastermind behind Gallaudet’s PhD in Educational Neuroscience program whose research showed that signed and spoken languages are processed similarly in the brain
We checked in with them to try to calculate exactly how many years they have spent on campus — which ended up being trickier than expected. They reminisced about some of their favorite memories of Gallaudet. And since they have been around to experience so much of Gallaudet’s history, we asked them what they want to see happen here over the next 50 years.
By the numbers
Nearly all of them started out at Gallaudet as students, so when they count how much time they have spent here, they have to go way back. According to Kelly’s calculations, she has clocked 37.5 years between earning her undergraduate degree in 1977, her stint as a research assistant starting two months after the DPN movement, and then her time as a Professor from 1995 to 2021. In addition, she has been to the campus with her family since early childhood for theater productions and sporting events.
Moore almost majored in mathematics when she came to campus in 1977 as an undergraduate, but instead pursued social work. Nine years later, she returned to earn her MSW on a part-time basis, which took another four years. During that period, Moore transitioned into the role of an academic advisor and social work adjunct, which led to three more decades of employment. While serving as a professor, director of the MSW program, and department chair for both the B.A. in social work and MSW programs, Moore also participated in numerous advocacy and social work organizations, strengthening partnerships with Gallaudet. “I have experienced a profound sense of fulfillment from my contributions to the diverse deaf community,” she says.
McCaskill traces her journey at Gallaudet back to August of 1972. After earning her B.A. and M.A., she began her career at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD), where she worked as a dorm counselor and school counselor until 1985. McCaskill then lived in Houston until she came back to Gallaudet in 1991. “When I retired in 2024, I felt that I had come full circle. I remain eternally grateful to Gallaudet University for giving me opportunities I once never imagined possible,” says McCaskill, who estimates that she has spent 40 years on campus.
As Interim Director of Camp Discovery this summer, Burton Doleac is still adding to her astounding total of 47 years. That includes her time as an undergrad and a resident assistant at MSSD for two years before serving as an Assistant Professor of Physical Education and Recreation for 40 years. She became Director of the Personal Discovery Program and Rock Climbing in 2009 and also coached the softball team for 25 years.
But it is hard for anyone to beat the number of years Benedict has spent at Gallaudet. She first arrived at the age of two for preschool and later returned to attend Kendall Demonstration Elementary. Benedict came back as an undergraduate, an employee at MSSD, and later, a PhD student. Then she joined the faculty in 2004 and continued in various roles for another 19 years. “In addition to this, I often went on campus with my mom when she had to be in the office or teaching. I actually started at several months after birth. Yes, I pretty much grew up on campus,” says Benedict, whose mother, Dr. Deborah Sonnenstrahl, ’58, taught Art History and Museum Studies at Gallaudet for 32 years. (Sonnenstrahl also has emeritus status, making them the first mother-daughter duo to receive this honor in university history!)
Memory lane
There has been a lot to love about life on campus, Benedict says. She has seen students, faculty, and programs come and go, but one thing has never changed: a vibrancy and stimulation that cannot be found anywhere else. “Gallaudet is home to all of us,” she says.
It is those first impressions of Gallaudet that often stand out even several decades later. “Coming from a segregated school for the Deaf in Alabama, I never imagined that attending college would one day become a reality for me,” recalls McCaskill, who says her fondest memories date back to her student days. “Winning the title of Miss Gallaudet in 1976 remains one of the most meaningful and unforgettable moments of my life. Another cherished memory was spending time in the Rathskeller after classes. It was ‘the place to be’ for students, where we gathered, laughed, shared stories, and formed lifelong friendships that continue to this day.”
For Kelly, arriving at Gallaudet is something she will always remember. “Although I came from a Deaf family, I attended ‘hearing schools.’ (‘Mainstreaming’ wasn’t in our vocabulary then!) Thus, my fondest memory was having direct communication access to professors,” says Kelly, who also reveled in participating in theater productions. After following in her professors’ footsteps, she proudly established the Deaf Women’s Studies course in 1997 and hosted Gallaudet Alumna Panels from 2009 to 2015 with Deaf Women’s Studies students. (Kelly’s tip? “To learn about these panels, check with GU Library for the class-produced booklets!”)
When Moore looks back, she thinks about the impact of her teaching. “One of the most cherished memories I hold is witnessing the remarkable growth and development of my former students as they transitioned into esteemed careers as licensed social workers, therapists, researchers, policy analysts, professors, agency administrators, board members, and beyond over the span of several years,” she says. “I take immense pride in the fact that 62 percent of the esteemed faculty members at Gallaudet University’s Department of Social Work are my former students.”
Being part of a team — as a student athlete who participated in four sports, as the softball coach, and as a faculty member — is what Burton Doleac treasures. “I also loved working with many now-retired PE faculty and staff on campus, including Dorothy Hamberg, Jean Berube, Tom Berg, Anita Marchitelli, Robbie Carmichael, Kitty Baldridge, Don Padden, Bob Jackson, Barb Pomeroy, Marty Minter, Sandy McLennon, Sue Gill-Doleac, Andrew Brinks, Peg Worthington, current PER faculty, etc.,” she adds.
Hopes for the future
Fifty years holds a special significance for Kelly, who is co-chair, along with Martha Sheridan, for the Class of 1977’s upcoming 50th reunion. Her vision for Gallaudet’s future is straightforward: “A very robust eco-system — research, teaching, and innovation — with a thriving student population and a Deaf president at the helm.”
The future is up to the next generations of students, says Burton Doleac, who wants them to achieve their academic and athletic goals. “Through these achievements, they can influence young people coming after them with their knowledge and skills and serve as mentors,” she says. “Gallaudet is the best place to increase one’s self-esteem, self-worth, and self-actualization as a deaf or hard-of-hearing person. There is no place like Gallaudet. It is home and always in my heart forever!”
Having seen Gallaudet achieve so much over the course of her career, Moore wants that progress to continue. “Gallaudet University has effectively established an inclusive environment that fosters a sense of belonging among its students, faculty, staff, administrators, and other stakeholders. This environment enables the transmission of knowledge and expertise to future generations of diverse deaf and hard of hearing students,” says Moore, who hopes that environment endures.
Benedict also wants Gallaudet to hold onto its status as “like Harvard/Yale for the Deaf community” and “home for all Deaf students from different walks of life, educational settings and upbringings.” The only change she wants to see? “That all students coming to Gallaudet get full scholarship or tuition assistance.”
Removing barriers to higher education for Deaf, hard of hearing, and CODA students is key to McCaskill’s plans for the future. “In the next 50 years, I hope to see even more diverse Deaf and hard of hearing students graduate with B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees in a wide range of fields,” she says. “In addition, I hope Gallaudet continues to expand advanced study and research in areas such as Biology, Communication, and different Sign Languages, and Interpreting. I believe Gallaudet has the potential to remain a global leader in Deaf education, scholarship, and innovation for generations to come.”
