Mishka Zena

Letter from the Gannons

October 16, 2006

Dr. I. King Jordan, President
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY
800 Florida Avenue, N.E.
Kendall Green
Washington, D.C. 20002

Dear President Jordan,

This letter is being written to express our concern about the persistent turmoil taking place on our beloved Kendall Green. As two very loyal Gallaudet alumni we think the time has come for the Gallaudet Board of Trustees to make a very important and very tough decision. While we were not too excited about her appointment, initially we felt that as a presidential candidate, Dr. Jane K. Fernandes, deserved a chance and should be given the opportunity to prove her doubters and critics wrong Unfortunately, since her appointment in May, we have seen nothing that inspires her type of leadership. It has likewise become very clear that Dr. Fernandes is not a people person. Except in Iowa where she became a member of the Deaf community, she has not proven herself a good mixer.

We have heard this criticism time and time again from alumni and have personally experienced it ourselves. Being a people person, among other things, is, in our opinion, a very important key ingredient to being a successful leader or president.

When a president leaves a college or university it is natural for the students, the faculty, staff and alumni to look forward to and share the excitement of a new, incoming leader. Since May, sadly, that has not happened on Kendall Green. Rather than winning over the students and bringing people and different opinions together for a common cause Dr. Fernandes has left in her wake a terribly and dangerously split campus. Nothing she has said since her appointment has inspired excitement. On television and in the press she has said that the protests are not about her. We could not believe that she could make such a statement! Where is she? Where has she been? Everyone involved in or watching this protest knows she and her style of leadership are the focus of the protest. She has become “damaged goods.”

Taking this argument one step further and of serious concern to many Gallaudet alumni, Dr. Fernandes remains a stranger to the real Gallaudet we all know and love. We have yet to witness an effort on her part to learn more about our alma mater and to appreciate and understand the strong bond that binds us all so tightly together. As you already know, we have much affection and respect for our Gallaudet alumni and especially the Gallaudet University Alumni Association. When the GUAA Board went on record supporting Dr. Fernandes’s ouster the other day we began to seriously reconsider our neutral stance. As a former member of five previous Gallaudet administrations, Jack is,of course, concerned about the protest and the impact it will have on future governing boards and the presidency, but remaining with a very unpopular presidential candidate leaves little choice. This candidate will not work.

Dr. Fernandes will not have the support she needs to succeed as president.

We believe nothing is left for the members of the Board to do except reverse their decision.

We seriously believe that if no changes are made and Dr. Fernandes becomes the next Gallaudet president her presidency will be a “leadership under duress.” We do not want-nor do we deserve-that kind of leadership at Gallaudet. Over the past several months we have become more and more convinced that her presidency will erode the support Gallaudet University needs to survive and has enjoyed for so long.

As Gallaudet alumni, we strongly urge the Board of Trustees to meet immediately and resolve this matter. The Board needs to pick a president who will unite the campus and create the kind of excitement, foresight and inspiration worthy of our alma mater.

Dr. Jordan, thank you again for the wonderful leadership you and Linda have provided Gallaudet over the past two decades.

Sincerely,

Jack and Rosalyn Gannon
Gallaudet Class of 1959