Irving King Jordan was the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, the world's only university geared completely to facilitate the learning of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was 1988 when the students and staff gathered together to protest the election of a hearing president. It seemed obvious to those involved that their, representative, their policy maker, their president, should be a hearing imparied individual.
He could better understand their wants and needs, their struggles, their very communication. So they protested. This protest, called Deaf President Now, lasted a week and was monumental for deaf people and hearing impaired worldwide. At it's conclusion, the school's board named Jordan the president of Gallaudet, the first hearing impaired ever.
Jordan remained president until 2006, when he stepped down into retirement. His influence and respect among his peers was greatly diminished when he recommended and supported Jane Fernandes as his successor. A champion of the deaf community, he lost standing and respect for this action, because many considered Fernandes to be "not deaf enough."
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