Gallaudet University is one monumental step closer to bringing the Louise B. Miller Pathways and Gardens: A Legacy to Black Deaf Children to life.
On Monday, May 11, Gallaudet officially broke ground on the Pathways and Gardens and celebrated this milestone with a community event. The ceremony brought together the Miller family, Necessity of Now campaign donors and partners, university leadership, and members of the Gallaudet community to honor Louise B. Miller and the Black Deaf community members whose advocacy helped shape educational justice at Gallaudet and beyond.
“The Necessity of Now campaign called us to remember, to act, and invest in a more equitable future. This project ensures that this history is not only remembered, but made visible and central to the life of this campus,” said Provost Khadijat Rashid, ’90, during her remarks. “We are deeply grateful to the Miller family whose legacy guides this work. Thank you to the campaign donors who made this possible.”
President Roberta Cordano recalled the first meeting about what would become the Necessity of Now campaign in May 2020, during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’ll never forget that Zoom meeting as we tossed around ideas as to what this could become,” said President Cordano. “It’s gone through a number of iterations but we did decide the importance of bringing together $23 million to see this to fruition.”
President Cordano celebrated the success of the NOW campaign and emphatically thanked the many donors.
“The Pathways and Gardens is a renewal of our pledge here at Gallaudet University and the Clerc Center, ensuring that we continue along this journey of educating, providing accessibility, support, and engagement for every single student, regardless of their race, their gender, their identity of any kind,” said President Cordano. “This promise will be shown everyday as we walk past this memorial. It is another assurance of our commitment to ensuring that every student who walks through these doors will be given opportunities to grow and thrive.”
Construction will now begin on the Pathways and Gardens. The grand opening is slated for spring 2027.
