Mishka Zena

Endless Pondering

Jordan Against Deaf President Concept

When Dr Merrill announced his resignation, he recommended that a deaf person be appointed the next president. His suggestion was met with many disapprovals. One of these naysayers was Jordan. Yes, at that time Jordan was opposed to the concept of  a deaf person leading the university as a president.

When Dr Zinser was announced, Jordan was originally against the DPN protest. He changed his mind two or three days later.

As a result of DPN, he became the very first president. But he was opposed to the concept when Dr Merrill resigned.

Life can be so ironic

October 29, 2006 - Posted by Mishka Zena | Uncategorized | | 9 Comments

9 Comments »

  1. Yes, I remember this very well because I was present at 1988 DPN. I believe there was another Deaf candidate besides IKJ. However, he withdrew his name for health reason. After Dr. Elizabeth Zinser was named as the next Gallaudet President, DPN movement began. In early stages, IKJ was seen trying to calm students down and I thought I saw him signing to the protesters, telling them to be patient and to accept Dr. Zinser. A short time later, I noticed he had changed his posture and eventually Zinser resigned along with Board Chairman Jane Spillman resigning also. IKJ became the new president along with new Board of Trustees members and we all rejoiced. How ironic that IKJ’s presidency began with protests and is now ending with yet another round of protests! Has IKJ learned anything from those two protests? I wonder!

    Comment by Steve Flaten | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  2. jordan is a complete and total jerk

    Comment by pleasure smith | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  3. Yes, I remember that very well. If you look at the old news clippings and films, you’ll see IKJ against the DPN protest. When he was announced to be president, I was totally shocked! Thought how ignorant the world was. And, who squeezed IKJ’s balls to get his ass up there to replace Zinser? No one else but his wife, LInda. She wanted a chance to get POWER! Look at the art building; her name is up there. We must take her and IKJ’s names down. This should be the first project on the new BoT’s agenda when we, the FSSA folks, take over. Gally United Same!

    Comment by A Reader | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  4. No, not two times…three times…When he arrived on campus, he announced to the protestors he supported them. He went to meet with the BoT and then supported them. In a few days, he returned and told he supported the students. He never has balls!

    Comment by Carl Schroeder | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  5. The DPN protesters, including me felt disappointed and betrayed when he flip-flopped. I remember thinging to myself, flip flopping in a leader isn’t a good sign.

    Comment by Mishka Zena | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  6. How or why did he ever becomes president when he was against the deaf concept and changed his mind few days later… WAS HE A PROFICIENT PRESIDENT?????????

    Comment by WALTER LUIKART | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  7. Why did Mr. Merrill resign after only few months in the office?

    Comment by Kevin | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  8. Don’t forget what Jordan told the Washington Post in 1978. He said: “I am not a real member of the deaf community.”

    You can read the 1978 article yourself if you have Adobe Acrobat. Click here:

    http://www.gallyprotest.org/the_world_of_the_deaf_washington_post_article_february_26_1978.pdf

    And he told the same thing to the author of the book “Dancing without Music”. He said: “I am not a real member of the deaf community. I am a deafened hearing person.” You can read that here:

    http://www.gallyprotest.org/dancing_without_music_pages_13_and_271_first_edition_1980.pdf

    So he basically told the author of “Dancing without Music” that he is a hearing person who can’t hear.

    Comment by Brian Riley | October 29, 2006 | Reply

  9. #7 Kewvin writes: “Why did Mr. Merrill resign after only few months in the office?”

    Dr. Edward C. Merrill became president in 1969 and retired in 1985 as his wife was in poor health and died shortly after Dr. Merrill’s retirement. Dr. Merrill died several
    years after telling the BoT Chair Jane Spilman that it was
    high time for a deaf president now (now known as DPN)when
    the BoT was in search for a new president when Dr. Jerry C.
    Lee abruptly resigned after serving as president for several years.

    Comment by Jean Boutcher | October 30, 2006 | Reply


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