Commencement 2009 Special Honorees

 

Dr. Ursula Bellugi
Dr. Davila awarded an honorary doctor of science degree to Dr. Ursula Bellugi. Bellugi is director of the Laboratory for Cognitive Neuroscience at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla, Calif., and is a pioneer in the study of the biological foundations of language. She is known for her early work in the neurobiology of America Sign Language users. Her work was among the first to demonstrate structural properties of a signed language and to use hemispheric studies to show left hemisphere specialization in signed languages, just as it does for spoken languages. Her laboratory not only helped to establish American Sign Language as a human language, but was also a place where she and her team of colleagues were able to document that the acquisition of signed languages by young deaf children closely resembles the acquisition of spoken languages. As a result of her many years of dedicated research on American Sign Language, there is now a broad interest in studying languages in another modality and in the plasticity of the human brain with respect to language.  

 

Knud Søndergaard
An honorary doctor of humane letters degree was awarded to Knud Søndergaard. Søndergaard is a man of considerable achievements who has made countless contributions to improve the quality of life for individuals in the deaf community in local, national, regional, and international arenas. Deaf people have seen major improvements in many different aspects of life, including education, social service, recreation, and government service because of his commitment and dedication. Since 1982, Søndergaard has served as president of the Center for Døve, a national institute in Denmark with programs and services for deaf individuals who are elderly and have multiple disabilities, as well as for deaf youth, social workers, and others. He recently retired as president of the Danish Deaf Association, and he is a board member of Døvefonden, a foundation that raises funds to support the deaf association, organizations for deaf people, and deaf individuals. In addition, he is a former president of the European Union of the Deaf, an honorary life member and former secretary general of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf, and finance officer for the World Federation of the Deaf.

 

An honorary doctor of humane letters degree was also awarded to Roberto Wirth. Wirth epitomizes the idea that deaf people can do anything they set their minds to do. He is the owner and general manager of Hotel Hassler in Rome, Italy, recognized for over a century as one of the prime hotels in Europe.He is active in various organizations that strive to provide opportunities for other deaf people, and assists deaf youth in achieving their career aspirations.  He is the founder of the Roberto Wirth Fund Onlus, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to the support of deaf and deaf-blind children and their families. A role model for other deaf people, Wirth has increased public awareness of deaf people’s abilities through his success in the hospitality business. Wirth served for a number of years on advisory boards at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and at Gallaudet.  He is a strong supporter of Italian students who attend Gallaudet.

Four retired members of the University faculty were named professors emeriti--Bruce White, Harry Markowicz, Marcia Bordman, and Jim Mahshie.