On March 24th 2004, several hundred people from the deaf community staged a rally at Ohlone College. The community urged the college to consider Deaf applicants for the Dean of Deaf Studies and Special Services position. They also expressed concern that Ohlone College’s position was one of neutrality due to anti-discrimination laws. These laws barred the school from selecting a candidate based on race, creed, religion, and even disability.

The general San Francisco Bay Area Deaf Community backed the Deaf Ohlone students’ assertion that a Deaf dean should be selected as Ron Burdett’s successor. Hordes of renowned deaf speakers: Andy Lange, NAD’s President, Greg Hlibok, DPN (Deaf President Now) Student leader, Bridgetta Bourne-Firl, DPN Student Leader, and David Eberwein, DCARA’s (Deaf Counseling Advocacy Referral Agency) Board President all paraded on the platform to reinforce their beliefs that a deaf person could be the most qualified person for the position. It was a show of unity to put pressure on Ohlone College to re-think their hiring precedent, and to re-consider narrowing the pool of applicants to mainly deaf candidates.

On May 17th at precisely 1:00 pm, Ohlone College Alumni, Staff, Students-both hearing and deaf, and the Argus News Reporter Barry Shatzman all filed into the ASOC Board room to hold a press conference to await the announcement of the new dean selection. The room was packed and some were left standing as all the seats were taken, and the murmur quieted down as soon the Ohlone President Dr. Doug Treadway readied himself to make the announcement everybody had been awaiting for several months now.

Months of apprehension turned into a single day event as Dr. Treadway announced the new dean, Dr. Joseph McLaughlin, and told the crowd that he is deaf! Everybody in the room stirred, yet when the Ohlone President asked the audience if anybody had a question, the room was silent. Then Dr.Treadway invited the new deaf organization of Ohlone College, Deaf Voice, to read a statement.

The Deaf Voice President John Critser personally wanted Steve Vollmar, the Secretary of Deaf Voice to read the statement, as Vollmar was one of the original core DDA student activists to stage the rally, along with the three other core planners of the rally, Joey Baer, Diana Herron, and David Eberwein. The other two DDA student activists, Megan Malzkuhn and Jeremy Beaver couldn’t be present for the announcement but were aware of the press conference and later were elated to learn that a deaf dean was chosen. The last two finalists were deaf, so while it was a tough race between the two of the deaf finalists for the dean position, it was a given that a deaf dean would be picked.

In addition to selected faculty members on the interview committee, a crew of student panelists were invited to interview the two deaf finalists for the dean position and they engaged in intense deliberations over who would be the best successor based on individual strengths and weaknesses. The decision came down to the highest qualified candidate and the one who would take the job. Said Malzkuhn, “Ohlone did the right thing in selecting McLaughlin, because he is Deaf and qualified. This speaks volumes for the accomplishments that we the Deaf people will reap in the long run.”

Many people in the Deaf Studies Department voiced their approval about the decision to hire someone who could fit right in, mainly because the new dean would be able to work from a Deaf perspective. Rally advocate Baer stressed a few things, saying “Looking back, it was really Vollmar, Malzkuhn, Beaver, and Critser who made this happen. They were so determined that they worked hours to make sure that Ohlone hired a Deaf dean. They didn’t hesitate to ask for help and advice on how to reach the goal. Now their dream has come true and they have showed us that they are fine leaders themselves. In expressing his gratitude, Baer continued to remark, “Without a doubt, they set a perfect example for younger Deaf leaders of the future to reach their goals. From the deepest of my heart, I would like to say THANK YOU to Steve, Megan, Jeremy, and John for protecting the ONLY Deaf Dean position in the country, you made us proud! Last, but not least, we also should thank Ohlone for opening their eyes in welcoming students’ concerns in selecting a Deaf dean. President Treadway has remained true to his words that the students and community are important in any process of change at Ohlone. The members of Deaf Studies and Special Services and the community look forward to working with President Treadway to improve the Deaf Studies program in every possible way. Thank you Ohlone!”

I. King Jordan, President of Gallaudet University, had this to say about the appointment of McLaughlin: “I was very pleased to see that Joe McLaughlin was named Dean at Ohlone. I have known him for many years and think very well of him. He will bring administrative experience and enthusiasm to the job. I think he will be very good for Ohlone!”

And Greg Hlibok, student leader of the Deaf President Now movement that put Jordan in power as president of Gallaudet in 1988, was gratified by the appointment of Dr. McLaughlin. “I am elated with the appointment as it shows that our efforts made a difference,” said Hlibok. “I have no doubt in my mind that none of this would have happened if not for the optimistic and fervent attitude among the students and deaf community. It is unfortunate that we need to be as diligent as possible in sending the message,” Hlibok reflected, “but it is all worth it for the long haul!”

Who is Dr. Joseph McLaughlin? Currently, he is the Administrative Officer for the British Columbia School for the Deaf in Burnaby, B.C. where he has worked for the past 10 years. He also holds a faculty appointment at the University of British Columbia in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education. Prior positions held include Principal of the Alberta School for the Deaf, Lecturer at the University of Alberta, Teacher/Educational Counselor, Certified Psychologist and resource person for the International Development Agency. Mr. McLaughlin graduated from Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and holds a M.A. in Education and Counseling Psychology from the University of British Columbia. He holds numerous memberships in community and national service organizations. He serves as Chairman of Deaf Youth Canada and is on the board of directors of Deaf Children’s Society of British Columbia.