Miss-Delectable
New Member
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2004
- Messages
- 17,160
- Reaction score
- 7
SW Iowa News - ISD welcomes new Hall of Famers
There were smiles, some emotional tears and a whole lot of kind words for the newest members of the Iowa School for the Deaf Hall of Fame.
This year's inductees, honored during Saturday's homecoming activities, are William P. Johnson, Robert Schulze and the late Kenneth D. Derby.
"This is an important event in the deaf community every year," said ISU superintendent Jeanne Prickett. "It represents the finest contributors by their works and personal achievements."
Johnson was appointed superintendent of ISD on Aug. 1, 1987, making history as the school's first deaf leader. During his tenure, Johnson spearheaded the process to build a facility in which deaf students would have a truly equal playing field as their hearing peers. The $9 million Lied Multipurpose Complex opened under his direction in 2002.
"More than two-thirds (funding) came from private sources," he told the large audience who gathered in this complex.
Johnson strengthened the academic program and involved the school in many initiatives to broaden student experiences and tighten community bonds. He retired in the spring of 2003, but shortly later accepted a similar position at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in New York.
Afterwards, Johnson said his family has been a part of ISD in one way or another for 140 years, dating back to the 1860s.
"This school's campus was my family's farm," he said.
Schulze was honored for his ability to engage his students in a stimulating environment, motivating them to achieve his or her potential.
He began teaching metalworking, welding, tool and die at the school in 1967. One time, upon request, he and his students built a 14-foot walnut conference table for Gov. Terry Branstad's capitol office. Among his many awards was the Council Bluffs Rotary Club Outstanding Teacher recognition in 2001.
He also spearheaded the development of the school's nature center, which won the Most Significant Wetlands Project award - the only time an Iowa educational project has received that honor.
Saturday's recognition really meant a lot to him, Schulze said, in that the area's deaf community thought so highly of his achievements as to select him to the school's Hall of Fame, even though he is not hearing impaired.
"That was especially nice," he said. "It's been a pleasure being here 40 years, but it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't had such nice people to work with. I feel like I'm a graduate of ISD."
Derby, who died in December 2002, was honored for his involvement in the deaf community, such as the Council Bluffs Silent Club and as president of the Iowa Association of the Deaf, establishing the IAD's home office on the ISD campus. He was also praised for being a leader of Bethlehem Deaf Lutheran Church in Omaha, and as a successful businessman forming the Derby Upholstery Co.
During the ceremony, people spoke of Derby as a man of integrity who changed the lives of his peers and memberships by his mere presence with humors.
His wife, Loretta, and their large family accepted the award.
"This is a tremendous honor and our family is very proud of Ken," Loretta Derby said. "He was easy to get along with and most of all, he enjoyed working with people. That was a pleasure for him."
There were smiles, some emotional tears and a whole lot of kind words for the newest members of the Iowa School for the Deaf Hall of Fame.
This year's inductees, honored during Saturday's homecoming activities, are William P. Johnson, Robert Schulze and the late Kenneth D. Derby.
"This is an important event in the deaf community every year," said ISU superintendent Jeanne Prickett. "It represents the finest contributors by their works and personal achievements."
Johnson was appointed superintendent of ISD on Aug. 1, 1987, making history as the school's first deaf leader. During his tenure, Johnson spearheaded the process to build a facility in which deaf students would have a truly equal playing field as their hearing peers. The $9 million Lied Multipurpose Complex opened under his direction in 2002.
"More than two-thirds (funding) came from private sources," he told the large audience who gathered in this complex.
Johnson strengthened the academic program and involved the school in many initiatives to broaden student experiences and tighten community bonds. He retired in the spring of 2003, but shortly later accepted a similar position at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in New York.
Afterwards, Johnson said his family has been a part of ISD in one way or another for 140 years, dating back to the 1860s.
"This school's campus was my family's farm," he said.
Schulze was honored for his ability to engage his students in a stimulating environment, motivating them to achieve his or her potential.
He began teaching metalworking, welding, tool and die at the school in 1967. One time, upon request, he and his students built a 14-foot walnut conference table for Gov. Terry Branstad's capitol office. Among his many awards was the Council Bluffs Rotary Club Outstanding Teacher recognition in 2001.
He also spearheaded the development of the school's nature center, which won the Most Significant Wetlands Project award - the only time an Iowa educational project has received that honor.
Saturday's recognition really meant a lot to him, Schulze said, in that the area's deaf community thought so highly of his achievements as to select him to the school's Hall of Fame, even though he is not hearing impaired.
"That was especially nice," he said. "It's been a pleasure being here 40 years, but it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't had such nice people to work with. I feel like I'm a graduate of ISD."
Derby, who died in December 2002, was honored for his involvement in the deaf community, such as the Council Bluffs Silent Club and as president of the Iowa Association of the Deaf, establishing the IAD's home office on the ISD campus. He was also praised for being a leader of Bethlehem Deaf Lutheran Church in Omaha, and as a successful businessman forming the Derby Upholstery Co.
During the ceremony, people spoke of Derby as a man of integrity who changed the lives of his peers and memberships by his mere presence with humors.
His wife, Loretta, and their large family accepted the award.
"This is a tremendous honor and our family is very proud of Ken," Loretta Derby said. "He was easy to get along with and most of all, he enjoyed working with people. That was a pleasure for him."