Photo by Gallaudet University

On the afternoon of October 18th, the Gallaudet University Board of Trustees announced their selection of Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz as the 10th president. Making the announcement in Swindells Auditorium to a capacity crowd, board chair Dr. Benjamin Soukup called Dr. Hurwitz a leader whose expertise and excellent track record in education will carry the unique mission of the University.

Hurwitz walked onstage in a brand-new Gallaudet jacket with his wife Vicky to a standing ovation, a reaction markedly different from the last time the president-designate was named in 2006. During the short ceremony, he received congratulations from outgoing president Dr. Robert Davila and alumni association president, Alyce Slater Reynolds, who congratulated him “on behalf of 17,000 alumni.”

Hurwitz is currently the president of the National Technical Institute of the Deaf, and vice president and dean at the Rochester Institute of Technology. He will take office on January 1, 2010, following in the footsteps of Davila, who has served as the University’s president since 2007.

Davila presented Hurwitz with a Team Gallaudet pin, remarking that “once you join Team Gallaudet, you’ll never let go. Gallaudet is fortunate to have your skill and knowledge.” Hurwitz says he is “humbled” to lead the school’s nearly 1,900-strong student body. Hurwitz praised the other three finalists — Dr. Roslyn Rosen, Dr. Ron Stern, Dr. Stephen Weiner — and called them “outstanding individuals.”

“I enthusiastically accept this appointment,” Hurwitz told the audience after he acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead with the presidency at Gallaudet. “I am ready, and devoted.”

Student Body Government Zach Ennis said that “the campus is very pleased,” with the selection of Hurwitz. Freshman Carrie Suggs remarked, “it was totally unexpected, but the atmosphere was very positive in the auditorium.”

Gallaudet alumna and Miss Deaf New York Shiran Zhavian, who met Dr. and Mrs. Hurwitz at the pageant, is one of thousands who anxiously anticipated the selection, streamed live on the University’s Web site. Zhavian is beyond thrilled, saying “when he won, I wasn’t surprised. I was so happy and relieved! I know he will do a great job – we do not need to worry anymore.”