A biweekly bilingual e-newsletter for the global Gallaudet community

Homecoming 2024; New fundraising record; President Cordano recognized as DEI Champion; Provost Rashid selected for Women Worth Watching in Leadership recognition; Faculty member Sharon Pajka receives Poe award

View this week's Hi5 in American Sign Language above. View transcript here.

Welcome to the October 18th issue of Hi5.

Top 5 News Posts

Homecoming 2024 – Something for everyone!

We welcome our alumni and friends who are here for Homecoming weekend! Yesterday, we held a healing and renaming ceremony for the former Dawes House. From now on, it will be known as “Circle of Signers.” Also, the “We, Native Deaf People, Are Still Here!” exhibition opened in the National Deaf Life Museum. Visit the Homecoming 2024 website for a complete list of events! 

New fundraising record

The Office of Institutional Advancement is proud to announce that they have shattered a 33-year-old fundraising record. From October 2023 through September 2024, Gallaudet raised $14.4 million in new gifts and pledges. There were many different types of donations from many people and organizations, including a large estate gift from a retired faculty alumna. 

President Cordano recognized as DEI Champion

President Cordano has been named 2024 DEI Champion as part of the Washington Business Journal CEO of the Year program. This is her second honor from WBJ. Last year, she was one of their “2023 Women Who Mean Business.” She and the other honorees will be formally recognized at an event on December 5 at the Waldorf Astoria hotel downtown. Congratulations, President Cordano!

Provost Rashid selected for Women Worth Watching Leadership recognition

Profiles in Diversity Journal has selected Provost Rashid as one of 70 honorees in their 23rd annual class of Women Worth Watching in Leadership. These women, from all over the country and from many employment sectors, are “living their vision, blazing new trails, achieving lofty goals, and lifting others as they climb.” Congratulations, Dr. Rashid!

Faculty member Sharon Pajka receives Poe award

Dr. Sharon Pajka was recently honored by Poe Baltimore with their Saturday “Visiter” Award. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Pajka’s work to continue Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy. Congratulations, Dr. Pajka!

New Building Name

Building 103 was renamed to òkànkwèpihëna tëtpi/Circle of Signers. Read on for more history.

Upcoming Events

The National Deaf Life Museum opened its We, Native Deaf People, Are Still Here! exhibition this week. It will run through 2026.

Careers at Gallaudet

Spotlight: Strategic Planning and Communications Officer

• Reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer, the Planning and Communications Officer serves as the leader of the Clerc Center’s communication and strategic planning processes, including priority-setting, plan development, and community-wide engagement.

Financial Aid Specialist

Financial Aid

Administrative Support Specialist

Schuchman Deaf Documentary Center

Interactive Developer

Bilingual Experience and Innovation

Supervisor, Central Plant

Central Plant Operations

Please email HRjobs@gallaudet.edu with questions. 

Want to be an ASL signer for Hi5? Who wouldn't! We're inviting students, staff, and faculty to showcase the wide variety of the signing spectrum found at Gallaudet. Send a video of you signing this script to university.communications@gallaudet.edu.

Published biweekly during the academic year and monthly during the summer, Hi5 contains news and announcements for the Gallaudet, Clerc Center, and signing communities.

The next issue of Hi5 will be on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Hi5 is distributed to the Gallaudet University community, including alumni and donors. Submissions may be sent to this web form. You can subscribe to Hi5 at this web form.