I. King Jordan

I. King Jordan, hailing from Glen Riddle, Pennsylvania, is a prominent figure in the deaf community and higher education. After completing high school, he served four years in the U.S. Navy. At the age of 21, a tragic car accident resulted in profound deafness, which would not deter his academic ambitions. Jordan pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Gallaudet University, graduating in 1970, and subsequently earned both a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee in 1971 and 1973, respectively.

He began his academic career at Gallaudet University’s Psychology Department, where he quickly rose through the ranks. In 1983, he took on the role of Department Chair, followed by an appointment as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1986. Jordan made history in 1988 when he became Gallaudet University’s first deaf president, a groundbreaking achievement that inspired many within the deaf community.

Dr. Jordan's influence extended beyond academia; in 1990, he was appointed Vice Chair of the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities by President George Bush. He continued to serve in this capacity after being reappointed by President Clinton in 1993. After stepping down as president of Gallaudet University on December 31, 2006, Jordan was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Commission on Presidential Scholars on April 6, 2010, marking another significant milestone in his distinguished career.