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Transcript/ScriptUSAGM SHARE
((PLAYBOOK SLUG: Gallaudet Graduation
HEADLINE: Gallaudet University Celebrates its Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Graduates
TEASER: Tim Cook, Apple CEO, and Marlee Matlin from Oscar-winning CODA address Gallaudet’s graduating students
PUBLISHED: Wednesday, 05/25/2022 at 9:45AM
BYLINE: Penelope Poulou
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
PRODUCER: Penelope Poulou
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA Original, Apple TV
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV X RADIO __
TRT: 4:58
VID APPROVED BY: Holly Franko
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO: ))
[[Gallaudet University in Washington hosted its first undergraduate commencement ceremony since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Gallaudet is the only university in the world where deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing students live and learn bilingually in American Sign Language and English. Keynote speaker Apple CEO Tim Cook and Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin, among others, addressed the graduating students. VOA’s Penelope Poulou has the story.]]
((NARRATOR))
Over 200 undergraduate students and about 180 graduate students from deaf, deaf-blind and hard-of-hearing communities all over the world gathered at the auditorium of Gallaudet University in Washington to celebrate the landmark moment of graduation.
((Tim Cook, Apple CEO))
“Class of 2022, you made it! To this day, to this moment, to this achievement which was never guaranteed. Every graduating class confronts challenges. But I think it is fair to say that you faced more obstacles than most.”
((NARRATOR))
Apple CEO Tim Cook praised the students’ determination to complete their studies despite the COVID-19 outbreak that forced many to leave the campus, where, as he put it, they had found a deep sense of community and acceptance, perhaps, for the first time in their lives.
((NARRATOR))
Marlee Matlin, the Academy award-winning actress who played the role of the matriarch in CODA, this year’s Best Picture at the Oscars,
also spoke to the students about how the film’s Oscars recognition helped raise awareness of deaf culture and brought its largely deaf cast into the Hollywood mainstream.
((Marlee Matlin, Actress))
“First of all, our film, was open captioned for all audiences. Then, there were interpreters at every venue, on virtual interviews, on stages, and at awards ceremonies. And most importantly, our community was consulted at every step of the way, to make sure we were included. Ultimately, CODA won three academy awards. Best supporting actor, best adapted screenplay and best picture!”
((NARRATOR))
Actress Lauren Ridloff, who received an honorary doctorate, spoke about her four tenets of success – perseverance, adaptability, commitment and empathy – in short, PACE.
((Lauren Ridloff, Actress))
“All you need to do is to find your own pace in life. What does it mean, really, to find your pace in life? It means to do something at a speed that is steady and allows you to continue without becoming too tired.”
((NARRATOR))
Finally, the president of Gallaudet, Roberta Cordano, handed the diplomas to the students.
((Roberta Cordano, President, Gallaudet University))
“Be proud of who you are. You as deaf individuals, as part of our signing community, be the change! Build our community! Engage with others deeply and take care of yourselves and take care of others. To the class of 2022 and to all of us here in this room, go forth and do good things.”
((NARRATOR))
The graduates savored the moment with friends and family. One of them is Moza Said Salim Al Maqbali from Oman. She knows six sign languages and hopes to be a teacher in Oman.
((Moza Said Salim Al Maqbali, GU graduate))
“It’s very different here. I would like to make some changes at home. For example, in our curriculum, and also just thinking about sight lines and how we sit in the classroom as deaf people and making sure my classes are taught in a visual, deaf-friendly way, so it is definitely I would like to influence when I go home.”
((NARRATOR))
Moza is the first female Muslim in her family to graduate from college and the first Gallaudet student from Oman.
Andrew Makarewicz graduated with university honors with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. He too wants to improve health care for the deaf and hard of hearing.
((Andrew Makarewicz, GU graduate))
“I personally believe that the deaf community really is so diverse. People who grew up with deaf parents and deaf family members and you have people who grew up with hearing members and hearing family members and didn’t know ASL before they came to Gallaudet. So, everyone comes here in their own way, and I try to use my strengths and where I came from.”
((Penelope Poulou, VOA News))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 25, 2022 09:53 EDT
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
