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http://www.yakima-herald.com/page/dis/286294690328196
Regina Beaulaurier has helped change the culture of diversity at Central Washington University.
When the 23-year-old from Yakima transferred to Central about three years ago, she was the only deaf student on campus.
"Now the campus is much more deaf-friendly, said Glenna Bain, coordinator of Central's deaf and hard of hearing access services.
"Central's not the same as it was before she came here. She has helped pave the way for other deaf students to come here."
This year, there were seven full-time deaf students, two faculty members and one staff member, Bain said. Three more are enrolled to start next year.
That culture change will help two of Beaulaurier's dreams come true today: she'll receive her bachelor of science degree in psychology and she'll get to perform the national anthem at both graduation ceremonies in American Sign Language.
Her genetically caused deafness, which she born with, created some obstacles in pursuing her degree. The challenges were most evident in her math classes.
"I was always weak with math and the major (psychology) required quite a few math classes," Beaulaurier wrote in an e-mail interview. "It was more difficult for me — besides my hating math — since all math classes are visually explanatory. I had to dart my eyes back and forth from the board to the interpreter to not miss any steps or explanations to how we got to that answer or point."
But with the occasional help of a tutor, she adapted.
"I'm proud to say I overcame those obstacles, even with my deafness," she said.
Next year she will attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., where she'll pursue a master's degree in mental health counseling. She attended that school — the only deaf liberal arts university in the country — for a semester but didn't think the undergraduate program was "up to par." Missing the Northwest anyway, she moved back home and enrolled at Central.
At CWU, Beaulaurier helped bring awareness to deaf culture by leading workshops like "Survival Sign Language 101" and "Deaf Awareness: An Introduction to Deaf Culture."
"She's kind of like the poster child for the positive aspects of deaf culture," Bain said.
Even Bain's current position at the university, which was created three years ago, is attributed to Beaulaurier raising awareness.
"She doesn't inspire sympathy," said Bain. "I think she inspires inspiration as to the richness of diversity.
"She makes it attractive."
Bain worked with Beaulaurier earlier this week to prepare for today's performances. Practicing with a DVD of last year's ceremony, Bain would give the eager graduate the cue to start signing at the thud of the bass drum as the band plays the "Star-Spangled Banner." From there, Beaulaurier — who has some residual hearing — has to feel the vibration of the rhythm to keep up.
Vibrations at about "the land of the free and the home of the brave," the audience's applause and the hand motions of her family members, many of whom are also deaf, will keep her on track during today's ceremony.
"I have been blessed with an amazing, supportive family," Beaulaurier said. "They always believed in me when I stopped believing in myself. I wouldn't be where I am today without them and their support.
"Graduating, to me, means ... another accomplishment. I am proud of myself, because I am able to set a goal and achieve it. I am living my dream ... and that means the world to me," she said.
* Central Washington University will hold two ceremonies today: Graduates of the colleges of education and professional studies, along with the college of business will receive their degrees at 9:30 a.m. at Tomlinson Stadium on the Ellensburg campus. Graduates of the college of arts and humanities, the college of the sciences, and general and individual study majors will line up at 1:30 p.m.
Regina Beaulaurier has helped change the culture of diversity at Central Washington University.
When the 23-year-old from Yakima transferred to Central about three years ago, she was the only deaf student on campus.
"Now the campus is much more deaf-friendly, said Glenna Bain, coordinator of Central's deaf and hard of hearing access services.
"Central's not the same as it was before she came here. She has helped pave the way for other deaf students to come here."
This year, there were seven full-time deaf students, two faculty members and one staff member, Bain said. Three more are enrolled to start next year.
That culture change will help two of Beaulaurier's dreams come true today: she'll receive her bachelor of science degree in psychology and she'll get to perform the national anthem at both graduation ceremonies in American Sign Language.
Her genetically caused deafness, which she born with, created some obstacles in pursuing her degree. The challenges were most evident in her math classes.
"I was always weak with math and the major (psychology) required quite a few math classes," Beaulaurier wrote in an e-mail interview. "It was more difficult for me — besides my hating math — since all math classes are visually explanatory. I had to dart my eyes back and forth from the board to the interpreter to not miss any steps or explanations to how we got to that answer or point."
But with the occasional help of a tutor, she adapted.
"I'm proud to say I overcame those obstacles, even with my deafness," she said.
Next year she will attend Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., where she'll pursue a master's degree in mental health counseling. She attended that school — the only deaf liberal arts university in the country — for a semester but didn't think the undergraduate program was "up to par." Missing the Northwest anyway, she moved back home and enrolled at Central.
At CWU, Beaulaurier helped bring awareness to deaf culture by leading workshops like "Survival Sign Language 101" and "Deaf Awareness: An Introduction to Deaf Culture."
"She's kind of like the poster child for the positive aspects of deaf culture," Bain said.
Even Bain's current position at the university, which was created three years ago, is attributed to Beaulaurier raising awareness.
"She doesn't inspire sympathy," said Bain. "I think she inspires inspiration as to the richness of diversity.
"She makes it attractive."
Bain worked with Beaulaurier earlier this week to prepare for today's performances. Practicing with a DVD of last year's ceremony, Bain would give the eager graduate the cue to start signing at the thud of the bass drum as the band plays the "Star-Spangled Banner." From there, Beaulaurier — who has some residual hearing — has to feel the vibration of the rhythm to keep up.
Vibrations at about "the land of the free and the home of the brave," the audience's applause and the hand motions of her family members, many of whom are also deaf, will keep her on track during today's ceremony.
"I have been blessed with an amazing, supportive family," Beaulaurier said. "They always believed in me when I stopped believing in myself. I wouldn't be where I am today without them and their support.
"Graduating, to me, means ... another accomplishment. I am proud of myself, because I am able to set a goal and achieve it. I am living my dream ... and that means the world to me," she said.
* Central Washington University will hold two ceremonies today: Graduates of the colleges of education and professional studies, along with the college of business will receive their degrees at 9:30 a.m. at Tomlinson Stadium on the Ellensburg campus. Graduates of the college of arts and humanities, the college of the sciences, and general and individual study majors will line up at 1:30 p.m.