ASL Transcript: Welcome to the September 6 issue of Hi5! My name is Conrad Baer, and I am an Admissions Counselor in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. I am honored to be your ASL signer today!

Here are our Top Four news stories.

1
Welcome to the 2024-2025 academic year at both Gallaudet University and Clerc Center! This fall promises to be an exciting semester. Gallaudet has nine new faculty members, including the new directors of both the Center for Black Deaf Studies and the Center for Latine Deaf Studies. Members of the university community will be able to meet them at the centers’ open houses next week. Clerc Center also welcomes its new superintendent. Women’s triathlon made its debut last weekend as one of three new athletics offerings this year. The National Deaf Life Museum will unveil a new exhibition, “We, Native Deaf People, Are Still Here!” on October 17, and there will be a healing and renaming ceremony for Building 103 the same day. Homecoming is October 16-19. Again, welcome!


2
Congratulations to Dr. Caroline Solomon, Dean of the Faculty! Dr. Solomon has been selected for the 2024-2025 class of Drexel University’s Executive Leadership in Academic Technology, Engineering and Science (ELATES) program. This is a national leadership development program designed to promote women in academic STEM fields, and faculty allies of all genders, into institutional leadership roles. She is one of 46 people selected from over 35 colleges and universities across the U.S. and Canada.

3
The Atlanta Area School for the Deaf has a new museum, thanks to a grant from the Georgia United Credit Union (GUCU) through its School Crashers program. Gallaudet University Board of Trustees member Mindi Greenland, ’05, is a senior vice president at GUCU, and helped to make connections. The Gallaudet University Archives lent the new museum the torch carried by President Emeritus I. King Jordan, ’70 & H-’14, during the Olympic Torch Relay in 1996 in the lead-up to the Olympics held that summer in Atlanta. Provost Rashid represented the university at the museum’s grand opening this past summer. Thanks to AASD for its commitment to preserving and celebrating Deaf culture!

4
Many people remember fondly the Deaf Way International Conference on Deaf Culture in 1989 and the Deaf Way II International Conference and Festival in 2002. These week-long events brought together thousands of people from over 100 countries for plenary addresses, lectures, panels, and presentations, as well as theater productions, dance performances, and film screenings. Gallaudet is bringing back Deaf Way in 2025, but with a new approach. The original artistic and cultural gathering concept will continue, but in a series of biennial, “bite-sized” experiences to better meet the needs of more globally-connected deaf lives. The first event, in October 2025, will be a film festival. Visit our website for more information.

On our website, we have many stories about our students, faculty, staff, and alumni, highlighting the amazing things they are doing here, around the country, and across the globe.

The next issue of Hi5 will be on Friday, September 20. In the meantime, stay up to date by following @GallaudetU on our social media platforms. If you have a story that you feel would be a good fit for Hi5 or social media, share it with us at gu.live/request.  

Have a wonderful weekend!