NTID at RIT Turns 40
And what a reunion it has been! Workshops, food, and entertainment. (Largely made possible by generous corporate support from companies such as Sorenson) Alumni were privileged to be entertained by the reknowned CJ Jones, and John Maucere. The ASL film Wrong Game (seeing it for second time). A preview of the documentary Signs of the Times, about Dummy Hoy. The wonderful treat of seeing Robert Panara, the first full time faculty member of NTID, on the stage.
The exhibits were interesting and informative. Among other things, I saw the newest technology from CSD, a hand held device that plays signed and captioned video as the holder walks through an art gallery, museum, park, or zoo.
For one weekend, around 700 alumni from 1968 to 2007 gathered together. Professional portraits were taken of each Summer Vestibule Program alumni year by year. Cameras everywhere as people took pictures of old friends from long ago. Photographers and video cameras everywhere too as NTID works to capture this special moment in its history.
To the right is NTID President Alan Hurwitz with his wife (or "better half," according to Dr. Hurwitz) Vicki. 
To the left is the actual bill of Congress that established NTID. That bill was Public Law 89-36, 89th congress, HR 7031, June 8, 1965. 
A special highlight at the closing ceremony was an appearance by Dr. Robert Frisina who was instrumental in the establishment of NTID, serving as its first director.
To mark this event, NTID had a special fundraising challenge, the $40,000 challenge. At the opening ceremony they said that they were close to meeting that goal and at the closing ceremony the chairpersons Robert and Susan Mather announced the goal had been surpassed...46,000 which was doubled by matching funds. (Alumni who missed the reunion can still donate by going to the NTID website for donations.) Special 40th anniversary shirts and caps were sold with the funds going to a NTID scholarship program. (I bought a blue shirt (other color was tan)). 
Happy 40th anniversary, NTID.
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Comments
NTID is a rich part of my [hearing] memories. I worked in Media Services while getting my MS in Instructional Technology at R.I.T. I remember Dr. Hurwitz when he was a teacher. I have never lost ASL and one grandson was born deaf. It’s hard to believe NTID is 40!