Gallery of Diplomas - Lyndon B. Johnson

The following are diplomas granted to Gallaudet University graduate and undergraduate students and signed by United States President Lyndon Johnson, who was president from 1963 until 1969.

On June 13, 1966, to the surprise and delight of the class of 1966 and their guests, President Johnson made an unannounced visit to the campus to attend the graduation ceremonies. Johnson had also visited the school two years earlier, on June 6, 1964, during Gallaudet’s Centennial banquet. He gave a short speech and presented the President’s Committee for the Employment of the Handicapped Award for 1964 to Gallaudet College.

Diplomas were also signed by Leonard Elstad, president of Gallaudet, from 1945 until 1969.

During this period, the institution, which included both the collegiate programs and the Kendall School primary programs, was known as Gallaudet College. In 1969, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, authorized by Congress in 1966, opened on campus.

U.S. President

Gallaudet President

Lyndon B. Johnson

1963-1969

Leonard M. Elstad, G-’23

1945-1969

1964

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Rocco Joseph Carmine DeVito, Jr.

Bachelor of Science

January 24, 1964

Thanks to Mrs. Donna LaPlante DeVito, ’65, and Mr. Rocco DeVito, ’64, for generously donating their diplomas to the University Archives.

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Lawrence Forestal, Jr.

Master of Science

June 8, 1964

Gallaudet University would like to thank Geraldine Forestal, ’91 & G-’93, for generously donating her husband’s diplomas.

1965

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Donna Jeanne LaPlante

Bachelor of Science

June 14, 1965

Thanks to Mrs. Donna LaPlante DeVito, ’65, and Mr. Rocco DeVito, ’64, for generously donating their diplomas to the University Archives.

1967

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Jacqueline Nellessen Mann

Bachelor of Arts

with distinction

June 12, 1967

Thanks to Mrs. Jacqueline Mann, ’67 & G-’69, and Mr. Willis Mann, ’67, for generously donating their diplomas to the University Archives.

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Willis Joel Mann

Bachelor of Arts

June 12, 1967

Thanks to Mrs. Jacqueline Mann, ’67 & G-’69, and Mr. Willis Mann, ’67, for generously donating their diplomas to the University Archives.

1968

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Sharon Wood McKinney

Bachelor of Science

June 3, 1968