Hearing Impaired Bison Share Homecoming

While Howard students engaged in their homecoming weekend, another nearby university also celebrated their Bison homecoming, embracing their school's strong sense of unity and shared culture.

Gallaudet University, a world-renowned university for the deaf and hearing impaired, held its annual homecoming. Many gathered outside of Hotchkiss Field on Saturday to fundraise and promote awareness and unity in the deaf community. The Bison also celebrated a 44-20 win over the Becker College Falcons, securing the team's winning record.

According to Catherine Murphy, the school's executive public relations director, the homecoming events were the same as last year, citing the most popular events as the pep rally and the football game. She also added that there were about 3,000 people who migrated to campus on Saturday to take part in the festivities.

Several organizations that fundraised outside of Hotchkiss Field were Gallaudet's Black Deaf Student Union (BDSU). With a booth adjacent to one of the school's Greek organizations, sophomore Ericka Baylor, the organization's president and Miss Black Deaf America 2011, helped sell treats, like banana pudding cupcakes, to the public.

"We are fundraising so that our organization can be a part of the homecoming events. We work very closely, like brothers and sisters," Baylor said. "The reason why we were here today is to make sure that we are being represented and showing our leadership. We also want to show that African-American deaf students can have a strong leadership on campus."

When alumni and current students were asked to share their thoughts on the uniqueness of their homecoming, tradition and shared culture were among the most common responses. Because the school is bilingual, with American Sign Language (ASL) as the predominant language, a strong bond was created between the homecoming's attendees.

"We are a commonality. It doesn't [matter] the different color of your skin. We come from different countries. Everybody comes together. We have a good time," said Zelephiene Meadows, an ASL professor and Gallaudet alumna.

Another group with a strong influence at this year's homecoming was the Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA). From Thursday to Sunday, the association hosted class reunions, breakfasts, and a Sunday Golf Open in Beltsville for university alumni.

With Gallaudet being the world's only university designed exclusively for the deaf, the school has a broad international appeal. GUAA board of trustees member Dr. Patrick Robinson explained how wonderful it was to finally reconnect with other Gallaudet alumni from a wide range of places that he has not seen in as many as 20 years.

"It's not the same as a hearing university, because the hearing universities stay within their community. People graduate and then go back home; some people stay," Robinson said, "But for Gallaudet, most are spread out all over the country and all over the world."