Visionary leaders: Fifteen extraordinary Gallaudet alumni

November 2013

Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen
Class of 1992

First deaf member of Parliament in South Africa. Newhoudt-Druchen is Vice President of the World Federation of the Deaf. Read more about Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen.

December 2013

David Peikoff
Class of 1929

Helped raise $500,000 for the Gallaudet College Alumni Association Centennial Fund in the 1960s. The money was used to build an Alumni House, financial assistance for deaf students of doctoral degrees, and promoting cultural activities for deaf people. Read more about David Peikoff.

January 2014

Alice Hagemeyer
Class of 1957

Library activist who has focused on improving library services to the deaf community, encouraging deaf people to use public library resources, and enhancing awareness of deaf history, language, and culture in libraries. Read more about Alice Hagemeyer.

February 2014

Glenn Anderson
Class of 1968

First deaf African-American in the U.S. to earn a doctorate degree. Anderson also served as the second deaf chair of the Board of Trustees. Read more about Glenn Anderson

March 2014

Gertrude Galloway
Class of 1951

First female president of National Association of the Deaf and Conference of the Educational Administrators of Schools and Programs for the Deaf (CEASD). Read more about Gertrude Galloway

April 2014

Olof Hanson
Class of 1886

Notable architect and advocate who designed buildings with deaf sensibilities in mind, such as the need for visual access. Hanson also advocated for deaf people to take the civil service test for government employment. Read more about Olof Hanson

May 2014

Andrew Foster
Class of 1954

First African-American to graduate from Gallaudet. Foster established more than 30 schools for the deaf around Africa. Read more about Andrew Foster

June 2014

Agatha Tiegel Hanson
Class of 1893

First deaf woman to graduate with a four-year degree and served as valedictorian. Hanson organized a women’s secret society and served as its first president. Read more about Agatha Tiegel Hanson

July 2014

George Veditz
Class of 1884

Former president of National Association of the Deaf and was an advocate for the preservation of sign language, becoming one of the first people to film ASL. Read more about George Veditz.

August 2014

Jerald Jordan
Class of 1948

Longtime chair of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf who worked closely with the International Olympic Committee on behalf of deaf athletes. Read more about Jerald Jordan.

September 2014

John Lopez
Class of 1966

Advocate for the Hispanic deaf community. Lopez was involved with the National Council of Hispano Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. and the 9-1-1 Access Committee which helped make emergency numbers accessible to people who use TTYs and other visual communication devices. Read more about John Lopez.

October 2014

Bernard Bragg
Class of 1952

Professional actor, producer, director, playwright, mime, and author who helped establish the National Theatre of the Deaf. Read more about Bernard Bragg.

November 2014

Boyce Williams
Class of 1932

Instrumental in pioneering initiatives to benefit deaf clients at the Rehabilitation Services Administration. He also served as director of the Federal Office on Deafness and Communicative Disorders. Read more about Boyce Williams.

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