I. King Jordan Gallaudet University's first deaf president Date of Birth: 16.06.1943 Country: USA

Biography of Irwin King Jordan

Irwin King Jordan was the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, the only educational institution in the world specifically designed for deaf and hard of hearing individuals. He assumed the leadership role in 1988, following a student-led protest against the appointment of yet another hearing administrator. The week-long protest, known as "Deaf President Now," was a pivotal moment for deaf and hard of hearing individuals worldwide, ultimately resulting in the appointment of a deaf president. However, Jordan's popularity among his constituents diminished over time, largely due to his clear support for his successor, Jane Fernandes, who assumed the presidency in 2006.

Jordan was born in Glen Riddle, a small town near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents had normal hearing, and there were no hearing-related issues among his relatives. In fact, Jordan had normal hearing during his childhood and spent four years in the navy after high school. He lost his hearing at the age of 21 following a motorcycle accident where he was not wearing a helmet and collided with a passing car. Despite his hearing loss, it did not significantly hinder Jordan's academic career. At the age of 21, he earned a doctorate in psychology and subsequently served as the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Gallaudet University. Throughout his career, Jordan held various positions, including professor, department chair, dean, and president of the university, all while actively conducting research.

In addition to his work at Gallaudet University, Jordan collaborated with Donaldson's School for the Deaf in Edinburgh, Scotland, studied abroad at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and delivered lectures at educational institutions in Paris, Toulouse, and Marseille. Jordan and his wife Linda reside in West River, Maryland, and have two adult children and two grandchildren. He is an active runner and regularly participates in the Marine Corps Marathon.

During his tenure as president, Jordan implemented several initiatives that were warmly received by faculty and students. He tirelessly sought additional funding and successfully oversaw the construction of two new research centers. On September 1, 2005, Jordan announced his plan to step down from his high position in December of the following year. In May 2006, it became known that Dr. Jane Fernandes was the most likely candidate to succeed him, a decision that was met with dissatisfaction from students and faculty. Surprisingly, Jordan himself supported Fernandes' candidacy, claiming that she was a victim of widespread prejudice because she was supposedly not deaf enough. However, opponents of Fernandes argued that their dislike for her was rooted in more complex reasons, including issues related to her character, leadership qualities, and political and social preferences. On October 13, 2006, Jordan even had to organize mass arrests of protesting students. After leaving the presidency, Jordan continued to work at the university for a while, but in December 2008, he also retired from the faculty.