Mr. Jordan is the president of Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. The 124 year old university is the only liberal arts institution in the nation for deaf students. Mr. Jordan made national headlines when, at 47, he became the first deaf president of the school. Gallaudet’s board had appointed a president who was not deaf and did not know sign language. The faculty and students, upset by the decision, essentially shut down the university until Mr. Jordan, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, was appointed to the position. Mr. Jordan said that he has become a spokesman for the hearing impaired, as well as an educator. He considers it his responsibility to stay at the center of the American consciousness. The interview was sign interpreted.