University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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UP UP AND AWAY on Deaf Awareness Day! This year's activities were kicked off with a hot air balloon. NORMAN WILLOW OF BEAUTIFUL HANDS signs to Frank Sinatra's NEW YORK, NEW YORK JEFF PANNEIR translates the lyrics of a popular song from English into American Sign Language.

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 Deaf Awareness Day Silence Explodes Into Music he Silent world of the deaf and the hearing impaired exploded into music and laughter as Deaf Awareness Day got into action at the William Pitt Union. Hearing impairment and deafness afflict over 14 million Americans, and trying to blend in can be a major obstacle. Bruce Nisberg, chairman of Deaf Awareness Day, said, “We have to get the hearing community and the deaf community together so we can be friends. People look at us as though we are strange. We have to make it easier for us to fit in. Karen Walkney, along with her signing group Beautiful Hands, signed the lyrics and danced to the music of many songs, including the new song “We are the Children. Ken Meese, from television station KDKA, was the emcee for the day. He said that he had done public interest stories on the deaf before but never had the chance to perform at such an event before. Meese said he had met Walkney before but hadn't realized she was deef at first. He since has learned about Beautiful Hands and the current program at Pitt. “It's quite interesting that Pitt now offers the (sign) language as a foreign language. It opens up a whole new world now for students. Christmas Murphy, a Pitt junior, said I saw a poster for the sign club and it fit into my plans of special education so I just went to a meeting. Then I started taking the classes. Now a secondary English education major, she has been signing for about two years. Junior Mike Elliot, who is involved with the YMCA's Camp Get Together for Deaf Children, said “I just started taking the classes with Karen (Walkney). It's her program and it's interesting. by Jon Williams The Pill News photo IXivc Hookcr lV BEAUTIFUL HANDS performs in the William Pitt Union fall Room. ROBIN WOODS joins in with the rest of the members of Beautiful Hands to celebrate Deaf Awareness Day. Deaf Awareness Day ACTIVITIES

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Honors Convocation Honored Recognition he ninth annual Honors Convocation paid tribute to more than 800 student and faculty scholars, on March 13, in Carnegie Music Hall. Robert McCormick Adams, secretary of the Smithsonian Institute, spoke on the topic Museums and Universities. An honorary Doctor of Science degree was awarded to Dr. Adams. The convocation recognized students and faculty who attained the highest academic records in the University and awards from professional or service organizations. In addition, high school seniors who are 1984 winners of the provost's academic scholarship competition were honored. THE PROCESSION CROSSES Fifth Avenue to Carnegie Music Hall from Stephen Foster Memorial. JEROME ROSENBERG, DEAN of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, addresses the Convocation. DR. ROBERT COLODNY (right) of the FAS History Department, who received an F.meriti Appointment, watches the ceremonies. Honors Convocation ACTIVITIES