The History of the Gallaudet School for the Deaf

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The Gallaudet School for the Deaf is a school where deaf and hard of hearing people can go to collage and get a degree. This school has been around for more than 100 years and has quite a history. Through the years, it has been recognized by Presidents and dignitaries.

The School was not originally formed for the benefit of the deaf students. In 1854, a man named Platt H. Skinner came to Washington DC with 5 deaf, orphaned students. Skinner tried to convince rich men to put money into a school for deaf children. In order to gain more money, he collected 11 more deaf students from their parents from the DC area. Unfortunately, Skinner was not focused on the best intentions for the children.

Amos Kendall was one of the men that Skinner had taken advantage of by accepting money that was supposed to be from the school. Mr. Kendall, after finding that Skinner was only using the children for his own advantage, took Skinner to court for an investigation. After they found Skinner was guilty, the 11 children were returned to their parents and Amos Kendall took the 5 deaf, orphaned children under his own guardianship showing his love for the kids.

The school's leadership then realized the need for a school for the deaf. This is just like what our God does; He takes something that seems bad and turns it into good (Romans 8:28).

In February 1857, President Pierce signed a federal law which established the Columbia Institution which was to be a school for the deaf, the dumb and the blind. Two months later, in April 1857, Edward M. Gallaudet was appointed Superintendent of the school. At the age of 20, Gallaudet was appointed Superintendent of the Columbia Institution. Interestingly enough, he was not the first choice for the role of Superi...

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...s as all other colleges did. Female college students were admitted. Athletic programs were introduced.

As of today, Gallaudet college separates itself as one of the only higher education institutions that is focused on accommodating the deaf and hard of hearing. All of the programs and services at the school are specifically designed for these students.

The Gallaudet College has rightly earned a position of high regard. Though its beginnings were less than honest, the Lord moved other men to minister to a group of people who needed to be treated equally.
Amos Kendall should be remembered for his love for the students. Edward Galaudet – from the age of 20 – dedicated himself to the school and its students.

Works Cited

http://www.gallaudet.edu/about_gallaudet.html http://www.gallaudet.edu/a_historical_timeline.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/gallaudet_university

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