Commencement 2009 Speakers

Newhoudt-Druchen, a Gallaudet alumna who in 1999 became the first deaf person to be elected to the South African Parliament,  shared her experiences with the Class of 2009 at Gallaudet’s 140th Commencement exercises on May 15. 

 

Newhoudt-Druchen was awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree from President Davila at Commencement.

Newhoudt-Druchen earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in social work from Gallaudet. She began using the leadership skills she acquired at the University when she became a social worker in 1994 for Deaf Community of Cape Town. A few years later, she was hired as provincial director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, and today holds the distinction of being the first woman to serve as chair of this national organization for deaf people. She quickly acquired a reputation as a staunch advocate for people with disabilities and was nominated to Parliament by the organization Disabled People of South Africa. 

 

Over the past decade, Newhoudt-Druchen has gained recognition for her skill, energy, and dedication as chair of Parliament’s Joint Monitoring Committee on the Improvement of Quality of Life and Status of Children, Youth, and Disabled Persons. In addition to her trailblazing efforts in her own country, Newhoudt-Druchen has distinguished herself on the world stage through her leadership as a board member of the World Federation of the Deaf. In recognition of her outstanding achievements in promoting the rights of deaf people, the Gallaudet University Alumni Association awarded its Outstanding Young Alumnus Award to Newhoudt-Druchen in 2002. 

Undergraduate Student Speakers (Watch video)

 

Bradley Dale is from Texarkana, Arkansas. He attended the Arizona School for the Deaf in Tucson, and is receiving his Bachelor of Arts degree in American Sign Language. Brad received the George Veditz Outstanding Student Award from the Department of American Sign Language and Deaf Studies for his excellence in academics, effective interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities. He has also received certificates of appreciation from the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf (RAD) and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) for his services as a volunteer deaf interpreter. Brad is a proud member of the Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity since 2007 and has served as that organization’s vice president and secretary. He has been a student assistant in the Office of Admissions; an American Sign Language tutor for Tutorial and Instructional Programs, and a long-time volunteer interpreter for the deaf-blind community. He was conference planning chairperson for the Calibere Leadership Conference for the Office of Campus Activities. Brad has been accepted into the master’s degree program in interpreting at Gallaudet University. He looks forward to following the late Dr. Mike Kemp’s footsteps in teaching, developing, and expanding research in signed languages in the United States and abroad.

Colleen Doyle is from Houston, Texas. She received her associate of applied science degree from what is now Lone Star College-North Harris, and enrolled at Gallaudet University in the fall of 2007. She is graduating summa cum laude with General Studies Honors, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Journalism. She was awarded the Fantastic First Year Student award for her dedication, respect for others, and commitment to academic excellence. She was inducted into the Gallaudet University chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the honor society of the National Communication Association, and the Phi Alpha Pi Honor Society. Colleen worked in the Office of Alumni Relations as a student assistant, writing material to support events such as Charter Day. She also worked in the Office of Enrollment Marketing, where she contributed to the University’s blog website, The Link, and other promotional materials. Colleen enjoys traveling and plans to continue exploring the world after graduation. She hopes to work in the field of journalism or public relations. She also plans to pursue a graduate degree in international development. 

Graduate Student Speaker (Watch video)

 

Luciana Spinosi was born and raised in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. She is a proud child of deaf adults (CODA) and the oldest of five children. She completed her undergraduate studies at Kutztown University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in education. She was the first person in her family to earn a college degree. Luciana taught deaf and hearing students at Eggbuckland Community College in Plymouth, England, and then returned to the United States to continue her teaching career. After a decade of service in the Pennsylvania public school system, she made the move to Gallaudet University to empower her two Deaf children, her Deaf husband, and her CODA-self with the education, experience, tools, and Deaf role models necessary to meet the challenges of their lives. In the spring of 2008, Luciana was named a President’s Scholar and served as group leader and co-advisor of the Cultural Exchange Program at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf. She is graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Teaching in American Sign Language/English Bilingual Deaf Education. She is currently employed as a social studies teacher at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf. Luciana looks forward to continuing her career as an educator of the future members and leaders of tomorrow’s Deaf community.