Irving King Jordan

Irving King Jordan is an educator and advocate known for becoming the first deaf president of Gallaudet University, the only university in the world with all programs and services designed specifically for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. Jordan became profoundly deaf following a motorcycle accident at age 21. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Gallaudet and both a Master of Arts and a doctorate in psychology from the University of Tennessee.

After receiving his doctorate, Jordan joined the faculty of Gallaudet University's Department of Psychology. He later became chair of the department and then dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Jordan's appointment as president followed the Deaf President Now protest, a significant event in the history of deaf rights. Gallaudet students, alumni, faculty, staff, and supporters protested the Board of Trustees' decision to appoint a hearing person as president. The Board ultimately reversed its decision, naming Jordan the university's eighth president and its first deaf president since its founding.

During his tenure, Jordan expanded Gallaudet's national and international profile in deaf education and advocacy. He oversaw the construction of two education research centers, enhancing the university's capacity for advanced studies in deaf education. Jordan has served as a research fellow at Donaldson's School for the Deaf in Edinburgh, Scotland, an exchange scholar at Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, and a visiting scholar and lecturer at institutions in Paris, Toulouse, and Marseille, France. He was appointed vice chair of the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and later served on the Commission on Presidential Scholars.

Jordan is recognized as an international spokesperson for deaf and hard of hearing individuals and as an advocate for people with disabilities. He has appeared in the documentary "Lives Worth Living" and in "Deaf President Now." Jordan holds 11 honorary degrees and has received several awards, including the Presidential Citizen's Medal, the Washingtonian of the Year Award, the James L. Fisher Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the Larry Stewart Award from the American Psychological Association, and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the National Association for Community Leadership. His career in higher education, disability advocacy, and deaf rights continues to influence public attitudes and policy regarding accessibility and inclusion.