Top 9 Quotes & Sayings by I. King Jordan

Explore popular quotes and sayings by an American educator I. King Jordan.

Last updated on April 14, 2025.

Irving King Jordan is an American educator who became the first deaf president of Gallaudet University in 1988 after the Deaf President Now protest. Gallaudet is the world's only university with all programs and services designed specifically for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

American - Educator | Born: June 16, 1943

Source: Wikipedia

After becoming deaf, I realized that I'd better get an education if I was ever to do anything with my life.

I. King Jordan

At Gallaudet, deafness isn't an issue. You don't even think about it. Students can pay attention to accounting or psychology or journalism. But when a deaf person goes to another college, no matter how supportive it is, that person doesn't get the same access.

I. King Jordan

I lived for a year in Scotland. British sign language is very different from American.

I. King Jordan

Differences among deaf people are okay, but we need to recognize those differences and work together.

I. King Jordan

I'm a psychologist. I was a psychology faculty member, and then I became an administrator of the department, then the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. At the time of the presidential search, I was the dean.

I. King Jordan

I grew up outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in a little town, and went to a regular high school. I was a... very average student in that high school. Then I joined the Navy, and while I was in the Navy, I was in a motorcycle accident and woke up deaf in a hospital.

I. King Jordan

There are people who are born deaf and grow up deaf who don't speak at all, and some of them have told me that they resent a little bit that I do speak. But, you know, I have to be myself. I have to do what I'm comfortable doing.

I. King Jordan

I'm committed to sign in everything I communicate, but I also speak. I still believe that I reach more people when I do that. I bridge two different cultures and two different worlds, and I think that bridge still needs work.

I. King Jordan

Technology is helping more and more deaf people hear, but here at Gallaudet, we focus on learning and achieving-not on listening. So I would still say deaf people can do anything, except hear.

I. King Jordan

Top 9 Quotes & Sayings by I. King Jordan

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