The History of Gallaudet University (page 5)

A New Era
page 5


	View of the Gallaudet University Library in the Merrill Learning Center

Under Merill, the 1970s continued as a period of physical and institutional growth. A Committee on the Role and Function of Gallaudet College presented a report to the Board of Directors entitled A New Era, establishing Gallaudet as a multipurpose educational institution. Restructuring of academic programs resulted in the establishment of the School of Education and Human Services, the School of Communication, and the College of Arts and Sciences, each with its own dean.

U.S. presidents, vice presidents, and members of Congress have been requent visitors to the campus over the years, appearing at graduation and other formal occasions. Foreign dignitaries, including kings and queens and heads of state, have also visited the University on many occasions

1970

President Richard Nixon signed Public Law 91-587 authorizing the establishment of Kendall Demonstration Elementary School (KDES). A Counseling and Placement Center opened to assist Gallaudet students in obtaining appropriate employment, and a Center for Continuing Education was inaugurated, offering courses especially designed for deaf adults. Leo Jacobs, a deaf educator from California, became the first recipient of the newly-establshed Powrie Vaux Doctor Chair of Deaf Studies. The first formal outreach program was established in the Center for Continuing Education. A Visitors Center was initiated to welcome visitors and provide tours of the campus.

1973

Public Law 94-142, the Education of all handicapped Children Act, was passed, and Gallaudet began providing resources to the nation about the implications of the law for deaf children, especially regarding the least restrictive environment concept.

1974

The International Center on Deafness opened, expanding the College's international scope through shared programs, information, research, and upgrading of opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing people in other countries.

1975

A Summer Programs Office was instituted, including programs such as Family Learning Vacations. The Graduate School began a doctoral degree program in special education administration.

1976

The Model Secondary School for the Deaf moved into its new facilities. Experiential Programs Off Campus (EPOC) was established to provide opportunities for students to work part time in fields related to their academic major.

1977

Master's degree programs were initiated in school psychology and business administration. To produce a barrier-free environment, work was started to make campus buildings accessible to individuals with physical handicaps. The Gallaudet Midwestern Regional Center opened at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan. It was the first of the centers established to extend the programs and services of the University to deaf people and professionals who work with them.

1978

The Gallaudet Research Institute was inaugurated to coordinate research activities on campus.

1979

The National Academy was begun., offering orientations to deafness and other training programs for professionals in the field. Outreach services, such as extension and summer programs and the regional cneters, were consolidated in the new College for Continuing Education.

1980

The National Information Center on Deafness was established as a central resource for information on all aspects of hearing loss. The Gallaudet College Press became an official and separate department responsible for seeking out and publishing books in the field of deafness. Gallaudet's Northeastern Regional Center opened at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Mass.

Arial view of Kendall Green including the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf

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