TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF PRESS RELEASE
Contact: Keena Miller
Phone: 512-462-5328, cell: 512-658-4444
Email: [email protected]
FOR RELEASE MAY 13, 2016
TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF EXECUTIVE, ALUMNA TO RECEIVE HONORARY DOCTORATE AND DELIVER GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY 2016 COMMENCEMENT SPEECH
Austin, Texas – May 13, 2016 Bobbie Beth Scoggins Ed. D., Director of statewide outreach services at the Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) Educational Resource Center on Deafness (ERCOD) and TSD alumna (’79), will deliver the 146th commencement speech at Gallaudet University on Friday May 13, 2016 at 1:30 p.m., in Washington, D.C.
A Texas native, Scoggins returned to TSD at the helm of ERCOD, in 2014, following an expansive and distinguished career.
The fourth woman president of the National Association of the Deaf (NAD), Scoggins was in command when a powerful position statement on American Sign Language (ASL) was released stating that access to language is a human right, and for all deaf children to have access to ASL as early in life as possible. Scoggins also ensured that the NAD Board of Directors was comprised up of a diverse body of people and was instrumental in overseeing then initiative, which called on all major dictionaries to add the word “audism” to its volumes.
Gallaudet University President, Roberta J. Cordano, also announced that Dr. Scoggins will be receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters (litterarum humaniorum doctor, honoris causa).
“Scoggins has distinguished herself as an advocate, an athlete, a scholar and educator, and a performing artist.
A humanitarian and leader who works tirelessly on behalf of the national deaf community, Corodano says, Scoggins is a firm believer in the self-reliance of deaf people, and a strong advocate for educational and communication access for all deaf people.”
TSD Superintendent, Claire Bugen, echoes Cordano and says, “we are so proud that ‘one of our own’ has earned this prestigious honor.
Very deserving, Scoggins has made a meaningful and deep impact on the deaf community during her distinguished career,” Bugen says.
After graduating from TSD, Scoggins attended Gallaudet University and then received bachelor’s and master’s degrees at California State University, Northridge. In 1992, Scoggins earned a Doctorate of Education in institutional management at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and was the 1999 recipient of the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology’s Distinguished Alumna Award for outstanding accomplishments in serving humankind through the educational and psychological professions.
Gallaudet University’s 146th commencement ceremony will be streamed live, May 13, 2016, beginning at 1:00 p.m., to 4:00 p.m. EST. http://webcast.gallaudet.edu/?id=271.
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ABOUT THE TEXAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF (TSD)
The Texas School for the Deaf is the oldest continuously operating public school in Texas. Educating deaf and hard of hearing students of Texas since 1856, the campus also provides outreach and educational resources for students, their families and professionals in the field throughout the state of Texas. With educational excellence and a strong belief in a culture and community at TSD, students form a unique identity based on their individual strengths and talents. TSD is an environment where students learn, grow, and belong. For more information about the Texas School for the Deaf, visit http://www.tsd.state.tx.us/.
http://www.gallaudet.edu/news/dr-bobbie-beth-scoggins—commencement-2016.html