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Townspeople: NECC honors Andover's Cliff Lawrence for work in deaf studies - Andover Townsman, Andover, MA
Andover resident Clifford A. Lawrence, founder of Northern Essex Community College's Interpreter Training Program, was recently honored by NECC with a plaque for his service to Northern Essex and the deaf community. In addition, a scholarship in his name has been created by Northern Essex to support a student in the deaf studies program.
Lawrence is himself an American Sign Language teacher, interpreter, and advocate for deaf people.
A Navy veteran of the Korean War, Lawrence became interested in ASL after graduating from Bates College and teaching in the Deaf-Blind Department of Perkins School for the Blind. In 1968, he began teaching ASL at Northern Essex in the evenings. He joined the college fulltime in 1972 when the popularity of his courses led to a Deafness Communication Program. This program soon developed into the Interpreter Training Program that graduated its first class in 1980. Today Northern Essex is known across New England for its program which allows students to choose one of two tracks, ASL or Interpreter Training. It offers both a certificate and/or an associate degree option, helping students become proficient in ASL in preparation for careers working with the deaf community.
Lawrence left Northern Essex in 1980 to devote his energies to Deafness Resources, which provides services for deaf people throughout New England, and to further develop his talents as a photographer.
The event was sponsored by the college's American Sign Language Club which includes Cliff's sister, EmmaLeigh Lawrence-Vick, a student in the Deaf Studies Program, Interpreter Training Option, and an officer of the ASL Club.
Andover resident Clifford A. Lawrence, founder of Northern Essex Community College's Interpreter Training Program, was recently honored by NECC with a plaque for his service to Northern Essex and the deaf community. In addition, a scholarship in his name has been created by Northern Essex to support a student in the deaf studies program.
Lawrence is himself an American Sign Language teacher, interpreter, and advocate for deaf people.
A Navy veteran of the Korean War, Lawrence became interested in ASL after graduating from Bates College and teaching in the Deaf-Blind Department of Perkins School for the Blind. In 1968, he began teaching ASL at Northern Essex in the evenings. He joined the college fulltime in 1972 when the popularity of his courses led to a Deafness Communication Program. This program soon developed into the Interpreter Training Program that graduated its first class in 1980. Today Northern Essex is known across New England for its program which allows students to choose one of two tracks, ASL or Interpreter Training. It offers both a certificate and/or an associate degree option, helping students become proficient in ASL in preparation for careers working with the deaf community.
Lawrence left Northern Essex in 1980 to devote his energies to Deafness Resources, which provides services for deaf people throughout New England, and to further develop his talents as a photographer.
The event was sponsored by the college's American Sign Language Club which includes Cliff's sister, EmmaLeigh Lawrence-Vick, a student in the Deaf Studies Program, Interpreter Training Option, and an officer of the ASL Club.