Gallaudet University ( GAL-ə-DET) is a private federally chartered university in Washington, D.C., for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. It was founded in 1864 as a grammar school for both deaf and blind children. It was the first school for the advanced education of the deaf and hard of hearing in the world and remains the only higher education institution in which all programs and services are specifically designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students. Hearing students are admitted to the graduate school and a small number are also admitted as undergraduates each year. The university was named after Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, a notable figure in the advancement of deaf education.
Gallaudet University is officially bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) and written English used for instruction and by the college community. Although there are no specific ASL proficiency requirements for undergraduate admission, many graduate programs require varying degrees of knowledge of the language as a prerequisite. It is classified among "Research Colleges and Universities".
To ensure that the university's leadership team can understand the student population needs, the staff is predominantly deaf. In 2025, the President, the chief of staff and the chief academic, bilingual, communications and undergraduate admissions, financial, legal, and operating officers, the dean of student affairs and the Clerc Center chief academic officer are deaf. In line with the same goal of student representativeness, the majority of executive-level appointees are women.
Contents
History
Early history (1856–1900)
In 1856, philanthropist and former United States postmaster general Amos Kendall became aware of several deaf and blind children in Washington, D.C., who were not receiving proper care. Kendall had the courts declare the children to be his wards and donated 2 acres (0.81 ha) of his land to establish housing and a school for them. The school was established in 1857 with considerable efforts being made by several concerned citizens, including Edward Miner Gallaudet, of Washington, D.C. Two houses were used at the school's inception, one purchased and one rented.
In 1857, the 34th Congress passed H.R. 806, which chartered the grammar school as the "Columbia Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind" and funded tuition costs for indigent deaf, dumb (mute), or blind children belonging to the District of Columbia. Edward Miner Gallaudet was the first superintendent of the new school.
On November 1, 1858, the First Annual Report was submitted to the Secretary of the Interior.
During the school's second full year of operation (1858–1859), 14 deaf students and 7 blind students were in attendance. Superintendent Gallaudet, anticipating the future growth of the school, requested money for more buildings, lamenting the fact that the money was not issued in the year prior, due to federal budget problems. The Second Annual Report was submitted November 5, 1859.
During the third academic year (1859–1860), Kendall beseeched the federal government for funds to relocate the school to more spacious grounds. Gallaudet praised Kendall for donating money needed to construct a new brick building; both existing school buildings were already at capacity. There were 24 deaf students, necessitating a second teacher of the deaf. The teacher of the 6 blind students resigned due to health concerns.
By the start of the 1860–1861 academic year, the Civil War had been in progress for over six months. Gallaudet reported that the students were safe and free from fear. There were 35 deaf students and 6 blind students in attendance during the academic year. An art teacher was hired for the first time.
20th century
In 1911, Congress amended the charter of the institution, changing the corporate name to "Columbia Institution for the Deaf". It would remain the legal name for the institution until 1954, when Congress amended the charter to rename it "Gallaudet College", which had been the official name of the collegiate department since 1894.
During his 17 years as Dean of the college in the 1950s and 1960s, George Ernst Detmold was a significant figure in helping the college achieve accreditation. He also led the college in developing new departments, especially drama. He directed Gallaudet theater productions, which eventually led to starting the National Theatre of the Deaf.
In 1965, professors at Gallaudet compiled the first-ever dictionary of ASL signs.
In 1986, Congress again amended the charter of the institution, renaming it "Gallaudet University".
Deaf President Now (1988)
Student strikes at Gallaudet University starting March 6, 1988, revolutionized the perception and education of Deaf culture. Deaf students were outraged at the selection of another hearing president, Elisabeth Zinser; the university had never selected a deaf person for this position. Alumni, faculty, staff, and students demanded that the next president of the university be deaf. After a week of protest and activism, Zinser resigned and was replaced by psychology professor and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences I. King Jordan. This movement became known as Deaf President Now (DPN).
Unity for Gallaudet Movement (2006)
Jordan announced his retirement in September 2005. On May 1, 2006, the university's board of trustees announced that Jane Fernandes, the university's then-current provost, would be the university's next president. This was met with protests from the student body – in person, on campus, and in internet blogs and forums.
Initially, students cited the lack of racial diversity among finalists, Fernandes's lack of warmth, and her lack of fluency in American Sign Language.
Jordan publicly accused some critics of rejecting Fernandes because "she is not deaf enough." He described the protest as "identity politics", saying, "We are squabbling about what it means to be deaf."
The Washington Post reported that Fernandes "would like to see the institution become more inclusive of people who might not have grown up using sign language", stating that Gallaudet must embrace "all kinds of deaf people". Those who opposed her said that they feared a "weakening of American Sign Language at an institution that should be its standard-bearer." Protesters said Fernandes distorted their arguments and that the protest centered on her inability to lead, an unfair selection process and longstanding problems at the school.
In the spring 2006 protest, students blocked entrances to the Gallaudet campus, held rallies, and set up tents near the university's main entrance. Fernandes, appointed to serve as president-designate until Jordan retired, said that she would not step down. On May 8, the faculty gave a vote of no confidence for Fernandes.
When the fall 2006 academic year resumed, some students, faculty, staff, and alumni continued their protest, calling for Fernandes to step down and for the presidential search to be done again. On October 11, a group of protesting students shut down the campus. On October 16 at a regularly scheduled meeting, faculty members voted 138 to 24 to block Fernandes from becoming president of Gallaudet University.
Fernandes said, "I really don't understand so I have to believe it's not about me. ... I believe it's about evolution and change and growth in the deaf community."
Congressional charter
The university acknowledges that it "is a congressionally created corporation that serves governmental objectives."
The university and the US Department of Education explain that Gallaudet has been structured by the Federal Government to take the form of a "federally chartered, private, non-profit educational institution." The federal government plays various roles within the institution:
Congress incorporated the Columbia Institution in 1857, significantly amended its charter in 1954, and authorized permanent congressional appropriations. In 1986, Congress passed the Education of the Deaf Act and amended it in 1992. These Congressional acts are part of "the supreme law of Gallaudet University."
Gallaudet must obtain authorization from the secretary of the US Department of Education in order to sell or transfer title of any of its real property.
The diplomas of all Gallaudet graduates are signed by the current U.S. president, which dates from President U.S. Grant signing students' diplomas in 1869.
Three members of Congress are appointed to the university's board of trustees as "Public Members".
Gallaudet must provide annual reports to the secretary of education.
"Gallaudet receives the bulk of its income in the form of an annual appropriation from Congress, and the Department of Education oversees the University's appropriation for the Federal government."
Gallaudet University (and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf) are authorized to make purchases through the General Services Administration.
Gallaudet's Fifty-Fifth Annual Report contains an appendix that includes the text of 99 Federal Acts related to Gallaudet/Columbia which were enacted between 1857 and 1912.
Presidential visits
There have been 15 occasions to date in Gallaudet's history when a US president has visited either the campus or attended an official function off campus. President Johnson's second visit, in 1966, was unannounced and impromptu. President Taft had promised to attend President Percival Hall's installation on May 10, 1911, and give an address, but cancelled at the last minute before the ceremony. President Kennedy had planned to attend the centennial celebration at Gallaudet in 1964, but was assassinated.
President Ulysses S. Grant, 1870 and 1871.
President Rutherford B. Hayes, 1877, 1878, 1879, and 1880.
President James A. Garfield, 1881.
President Chester A. Arthur, 1882.
President Grover Cleveland, 1885.
President Benjamin Harrison, 1889 (two visits, May and June).
President Theodore Roosevelt, 1906.
President Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1964 and 1966.
President Bill Clinton, 1994.
Academics
Several programs and majors are offered at Gallaudet University. The five most popular majors are business, visual and performing arts, communication studies, physical education, and psychology. Gallaudet University offers thirty graduate programs in ten Departments as well as on-line and on-campus continuing education courses. Over 90 percent of the classes offered at Gallaudet University contain fewer than 20 students. The freshman retention rate at the university is 69–77 percent, the four-year graduation rate is 17–27 percent, and the six-year graduation rate is 43–53 percent (for freshmen entering 2008–2012).
The classrooms are visually-oriented, and are organized around the philosophy of DeafSpace, such as all the desks arranged in a circle so that all students and teachers can see one another for discussions. If a professor needs to get the attention of the classroom, they will flash a light signal.
Schools
The university maintains 5 schools:
School of Arts and Humanities
School of Civic Leadership, Business, and Social Change
School of Human Services and Sciences
School of Language, Education, and Culture
School of Science, Technology, Accessibility, Mathematics, and Public Health (STAMP)
Rankings and reputation
In 2025, U.S. News & World Report ranked Gallaudet at 214th nationwide and at 11th in the category for best value schools. The previous year, in 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Gallaudet at 315 nationwide.
Campus
Historic designations
The Gallaudet campus, comprising the Gallaudet College Historic District, has been designated a historic place on several registries and surveys:
Gallaudet College Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites (listings added in 1964 and 1973).
National Historic Landmarks designation (added 1965).
Historic American Buildings Survey (added 1933).
Pre-college education
The campus is shared with Kendall Demonstration Elementary School, a day school serving deaf and hard of hearing students from birth through grade 8, and the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, a day and residential high school for deaf and hard of hearing students.
Gallaudet also operates a child development center with admissions priority for children of faculty, staff, and students. Separate from the KDES Early Childhood Program, the child development center is inclusive of, but not exclusively for, deaf and hard-of-hearing children.
Redevelopment of campus (2015–2024)
In October 2014, the Gallaudet University board of trustees announced a 10-year, $450 million development of its campus along 6th Street NE. The development, which includes both campus property as well as college-owned residential and retail property across the street, will be overseen by JBG Smith.
Athletics
Gallaudet athletic teams are the Bison. The university is a member of the Division III level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing as a core member of the United East Conference (formerly known as the "North Eastern Athletic Conference" (NEAC) until after the 2020–21 academic year) for most its sports since the 2010–11 academic year; in the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference for football; and as Independents for their men's and women's swimming & diving and track & field teams. The Bison previously competed in the Capital Athletic Conference from 1989–90 to 2009–10.
Their colors are buff and blue, which were chosen after Union soldiers' uniforms in the Civil War.
Women's basketball
Gallaudet women's basketball is most known for its 1999 season, with several notable players from the Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf. The team included Ronda Jo Miller, a three-time Division III All-America selection, as well as one of the top women's volleyball players.
Under coach Kitty Baldridge, the Bison went to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three seasons. Receiving one of the lowest seeds as an at-large team into the Division III NCAA Tournament field, which numbered 48 teams, the Bison traveled to St. Mary's College (Md.), a school which had recently defeated them in the Capital Athletic Conference tournament, and came away with an 80–73 win. In the second round, Gallaudet beat a team from The College of New Jersey which had received a first-round bye and was highly favored. The Bison advanced to the Sweet 16 round of the 1999 tournament before being eliminated by Salem State College (Mass.).
Miller finished with 2,656 points scored, 1,545 rebounds and 373 blocked shots, and was called "one of the best basketball players in Division III history" by the NCAA.
Kevin Cook coached the team briefly to success. Gallaudet began the 2010–11 season on a 20-game winning streak and finished the season 24–4 (20–2 in conference play). Cook was named North Eastern Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, and senior Easter Faafiti was voted NEAC Player of the Year. The 2010–11 season ended in the first round of the Division III NCAA Championships with a loss to Juniata.
After a victory over Penn State-Berks in the 2010–11 season, Penn State guard Corin Bishop "said that she views the Gallaudet team as a great basketball team, not a team of deaf players." Hayes of Gallaudet later said, "I feel like there are people who stereotype us as deaf players, I'm just like everyone else who plays basketball". In an interview with Lydia Lum of Diverse, he said, "Because of us, there's a growing awareness that there are differences between deaf people, but we're all the same."
Football
The football huddle originated at Gallaudet when the team noticed that their opponents were trying to see and read their signs in order to try to guess their plays.
Volleyball
In 2006, the Gallaudet women's volleyball team ended their season 30–10 after a history-making run to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Division III tournament. Tamijo Foronda, a senior outside hitter, was named to the AVCA All-American Team.
Facilities
The football and soccer teams play at Hotchkiss Field with the track and field teams using Thomas Berg Track, located within Hotchkiss Field for track meets.
Basketball and volleyball use the GU Field House for their home games.
Hoy Field (named after William E. Hoy, the first deaf baseball player to play professionally) is home to the baseball team and the GU Softball Complex hosts the softball team. Both venues are made of Field Turf.
Noted athletes
Notable athletes that have attended the university include:
Dawn Birley won several national Canadian Taekwondo championships.
Greek life
The campus Greek community is relatively small with only three fraternities and three sororities: The three fraternities are Alpha Sigma Pi, Kappa Gamma, and Kappa Sigma; the three sororities are Delta Epsilon, Phi Kappa Zeta, and Kappa Theta Phi.
National Deaf Life Museum
Gallaudet is home to the National Deaf Life Museum, established in 2007 as the Gallaudet University Museum. The museum focuses on the culture and history of deaf and hard of hearing people in the United States, with special attention given to Gallaudet history and alumni. The museum is located in Chapel Hall, while museum staff are housed in the campus Gate House. Exhibits created by the museum include highlighting notable alumni such as Olof Hanson, Robert Panara, and Andrew Jackson Foster; "Deaf HERstory", focusing on the lives and activism of deaf women; and "Deaf Difference + Space Survival", highlighting the story of the "Gallaudet Eleven" who contributed to NASA's studies of motion sickness and weightlessness during the Space Race.
Research
The Gallaudet Office of Research Support and International Affairs (RSIA) (formerly Gallaudet Research Institute or GRI) is internationally recognized for its leadership in deafness-related research. RSIA researchers gather and analyze data concerning the social, academic, and perceptual characteristics of deaf and hard of hearing populations, primarily to provide information needed by educators in the field. Staff are skilled in various research methodologies including surveys, test norming and assessment, ethnographic studies, clinical studies, and information management. In 2016, RSIA began hosting the "Gallaudet Research Expo", to give students, faculty, and staff "the opportunity to share ideas and showcase scholarly pursuits and achievements." Presentations represent "education, linguistics, STM, neuroscience, interpretation and translation, computer science, audiology, psychology, deaf studies, and other fields that reflect Gallaudet's research priorities."
Gallaudet University Press publishes two academic journals, American Annals of the Deaf (est. 1847) and Sign Language Studies (est. 1972). The Annals are "the oldest and most widely read English-language journal dealing with deafness and the education of deaf persons."
The Department of Psychology's chapter of Psi Chi publishes the journal Gallaudet Chronicles of Psychology. The journal is managed and edited by graduate student members of the chapter. The Chronicles are designed to "mimic professional, peer-reviewed journals" and provides graduate students with the opportunity to disseminate their original psychology research. In 2018, the chapter will be publishing the fifth volume of the Chronicles.
In the fall of 2010, the university's Department of Deaf Studies launched the Deaf Studies Digital Journal (DSDJ), the first peer-reviewed academic and creative arts journal in American Sign Language and English. The DSDJ itself is published in entirely video-based content and is available online. To date, only four issues of DSDJ have been released, the most recent being published in 2014.