Deaf Professional Group Selects Trio for Award

The Deaf Professional Group of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf honored researcher John Albertini, audiologist Catherine Clark, and Rochester Institute of Technology President Albert Simone with its 2002 Awards of Excellence in May. The awards are given annually to members of the NTID/RIT community who demonstrate an active and ongoing commitment to the interests of deaf and hard-of-hearing students, faculty, and staff members.

Albertini, of Honeoye Falls, is chairperson of NTID’s Research Department. Fellow researcher Harry Lang, who nominated Albertini, calls him, "one of the most respected hearing colleagues on campus. He is a model for other chairpersons in terms of his healthy and clear communication."

Albertini has authored and edited books on educating deaf students; worked with deaf German students for a year in Heidelberg, Germany; and has supported the professional needs of his deaf colleagues at RIT for years.

"He is a person of high integrity and has his heart in his work," said Lang.

Clark, of Rochester, is an audiologist who "provides excellent services to students, faculty, and staff members," said NTID faculty member Keith Mousley. "She makes great efforts to be informed about the newest resources and technology available to deaf persons, including cochlear implants. We’re fortunate to have someone with her expertise to work with students, faculty, and staff members who use implants."

In addition to her work as an audiologist, Clark teaches classes at NTID on communication technologies and black history. She is an active member of the Rochester Black Deaf Advocates organization and has been a "Big Sister" to a local deaf girl for the past eight years.

Simone, a Henrietta resident, was recognized for honoring his pledge to learn more about deafness and sign language when he joined RIT 10 years ago.

"During the interviewing process for the RIT presidency, Dr. Simone made it very clear that he WOULD learn sign language and that it would be a regularly scheduled part of his daily routine. Once he arrived, he quickly put his words into action," said NTID faculty member Patricia Durr. The first and largest technological college in the world for students who are deaf and hard of hearing, NTID, one of eight colleges of RIT, offers educational programs and access and support services to 1,100 students from around the world who study, live, and socialize with 14,000 hearing students on the RIT campus.

Web address: www.rit.edu/NTID.

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