Robert Davila
Robert Davila, born on July 19, 1932, to Mexican immigrant parents in Southern California, became deaf at age 8 due to spinal meningitis. A graduate of Gallaudet University, he became the first deaf president of several notable organizations in deaf education. His commitment to teaching led him to Gallaudet University, where he served as president starting January 1, 2007. An advocate for deaf education, Davila holds honorary degrees from prestigious institutions and continues to inspire future generations in the field.
Robert Davila
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Presentation Transcript
Early Childhood • Born hearing on July 19, 1932 • Parents were from Mexico, and worked in the fields and orchards of Southern California • Spanish was his first language • Became deaf at age 8 from a severe case of spinal meningitis
Childhood • Went to California School for the Deaf • Learned English and ASL • Worked hard • First person in family to finish high school • Graduated with honors
Gallaudet University • Graduated class of 1953 (same year he married his wife, Donna Lou Ekstrom) • 2 sons, Brian and Brent • Wanted to become a teacher • Worked at New York School for the Deaf
Awards • First deaf person ever elected president of: • Convention of American Instructors of the Deaf • Council on Education of the Deaf • Conference of Educational Administrators of the Deaf
Extended Education • Ph. D at Syracuse University in Educational Technology and Curriculum Development • Became a full time teacher at GU
Facts • Became President of Gallaudet University on January 1, 2007. • Supervised elementary schools for the deaf
Facts cont. • holds honorary degrees from Gallaudet, RIT, Stonehill College, and Hunter College.
Sources • http://library.rit.edu/depts/archives/deafhistory/davila.htm • http://aaweb.gallaudet.edu/About_Gallaudet/History_of_the_University/Presidents/Davila_Robert.html • http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0842/is_n2_v15/ai_8201155/