Alumnus recognized for excellence in teaching German sign language

Stefan A. Goldschmidt, ’94, of Hamburg, Germany, has been awarded the Hamburg Teaching Prize by the Authority for Science, Research, and Equal Opportunities. The Authority receives nominations from students at each of the Hamburg state universities, and gives a total of 14 awards, one for each university. Goldschmidt’s prize included a €5.000 cash endowment (approximately $5,638 at current exchange rates). 

Goldschmidt was cited for excellence in teaching German sign language, or Deutsche Gebärdensprache (DGS), at the University of Hamburg’s Institut für Deutsche Gebärdensprache und Kommunikation Gehörloser. He also teaches Deaf studies courses.

Goldschmidt majored in sociology and minored in Deaf studies at Gallaudet. A three-sport athlete, he was a member of the International Students Club, and was involved in the Gallaudet University Theatre production of The Firebugs during his senior year. After returning to Germany, he received a master’s degree in sociology and sign language at the University of Hamburg in 2001, and became a certified Deaf interpreter in 2011. He is very involved with Deaf youth in Germany, and was instrumental in the founding of the first German Deaf Youth Camp in 1997 and the German Deaf Youth Association in 2004. 

Congratulations!