Summer conference roundup 

Our faculty, staff, and alumni had a major role in many summer conferences, including Deaf Seniors of America, Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, and National Black Deaf Advocates.  

Deaf Seniors of America 

The 17^th biennial Deaf Seniors of America conference took place June 24-30 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The conference featured keynote addresses by Dr. Jaime Wilson, an expert on dementia; Darren Frazier on being a smart world traveler; MJ Grant on “HEART,” her personal caregiving journey with her mother who has Alzheimer’s Disease. Many of the conference workshops were by Gallaudet alumni. Over 400 people attended the Gallaudet alumni reception on Monday evening, which featured President Cordano and Director of Alumni Engagement Rebecca Rydstrom, ’02. 

Conference chair Philip Aiello, ’65, was elected DSA president for the 2023-2025 term. Aiello was previously vice president.  

The 2025 DSA conference will be held in Kansas City, Missouri.  

Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf 

The Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf held its biennial conference July 26-30 at the Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland. Nearly 900 people attended 92 workshops by a total of 91 presenters.  

Gallaudet’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Jeremy L. Brunson, delivered a powerful keynote address, “Are You Ready?: A Sociologist is in the Room.” After reviewing four significant milestones in the history of the interpreting profession and RID, Dr. Brunson asked the audience, “I conclude with my ‘Are you ready?’ Are you ready to have critical – challenging and important – conversations about true diversity? Are you ready to move beyond a reductionist view of diversity that focuses on skin matching or the pathology of the ear (ours or our family’s)? Are you ready to call people in rather than call people out?”  
 

National Black Deaf Advocates 

Over 700 people attended the 40^th anniversary conference of National Black Deaf Advocates August 8-13 at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel in Birmingham. Alabama. The conference theme was “Reconnecting to Thrive Together: Reconnect, Recharge, Thrive!” There were more than 50 workshops, in addition to meetings and evening social events. President Cordano highlighted the Gallaudet alumni reception, with nearly 150 attendees. Dr. Jeremy L. Brunson, Gallaudet’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer, was also in attendance.  

Alumna Sheryl Emery was elected NBDA president.

Storm Smith, ’10, Director of Storytelling in the Office of University Communications, emceed the Women’s Foundation Fundraising Soirée on Friday, August 11 at the Birmingham Museum of Art. Dr. Carolyn D. McCaskill, ’77, G-’79, & PhD ’05, and Dr. Elizabeth A. Moore, ’81, G-’94, and PhD ’11, each received NBDA awards.