Simone addresses Gallaudet Class of 2007

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Office of Outreach and Programs and Publications, Gallaudet University

RIT President Albert Simone received an honorary doctoral degree hood from Gallaudet University Trustees Benjamin Soukup and Cheryl Heppner.

President Albert Simone presented the keynote address during the 138th Commencement Exercises at Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. on May 11. Simone delivered his remarks to the Bison Class of 2007 in American Sign Language.

Simone also received an honorary doctorate degree. Robert Davila, Gallaudet’s president, called the award “fitting recognition to Simone’s many contributions as an educator, business and civic leader and adviser, and humanitarian.”

Simone focused his remarks on the importance of Gallaudet University to deaf people everywhere. Simone also noted that Gallaudet is fortunate to have selected Davila, who took office in January. Davila, who is deaf, served from 1996 to 2004 as CEO of RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf and vice president of RIT. He is an alumnus of Gallaudet and worked there as a faculty member and administrator from 1972 to 1989.

“Bob’s insight and energy, plus the respect he commands nationally and internationally from leaders in all facets of academia, government and business, are a tremendous asset to Gallaudet,” says Simone.

Gallaudet University, the world’s only university in which all programs and services are designed to accommodate deaf and hard of hearing students, was founded in 1864.