CSDR Doctorate Holders

David McKee

CSDR Class of 1968

• CSDR: 1958–1968 (Class Valedictorian)

  
  

• Key influences at CSDR: American Sign Language (ASL), dedicated teachers and counselors, dormitory life, and the Deaf community.

  
  

Education

• B.A. in Psychology, Gallaudet University (1972)

  
  

• M.A. in Special Education, California State University, Northridge (1973)

  
  

• Ph.D. in Special Education and Linguistics, University of Pittsburgh (1987)

  
  

Professional Career

• Founded the Deaf Program at San Diego Mesa College and served as an instructor (1973–1982).

  
  

• Associate Professor in the Deaf Studies Department at California State University, Northridge (1986–1992).

  
  

• Moved to New Zealand in 1992. Together with his wife, Rachel, established the New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Interpreter Training Course at Auckland Institute of Technology (now Auckland University of Technology), where they taught from 1992–1996.

  
  

• Senior Lecturer in the School of Linguistics and Applied Language Studies at Victoria University of Wellington (1997–2019).  Director of the Deaf Studies Research Unit.

  
  

• Retired at the end of 2019.

  
  

Notable Achievements

David played a leading role in the development of the New Zealand Sign Language Dictionary and was instrumental in the campaign that led to New Zealand Sign Language becoming an official language of New Zealand in 2006, making New Zealand the first country in the world to grant official language status to a national sign language.

In recognition of his lifelong contributions to Deaf education and New Zealand Sign Language, David was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2026, with the insignia presented on behalf of King Charles III.

Advice for the Deaf youth:

Dream big, work hard, stay humble, and never forget where you came from.

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Frank James John Lala, Jr

CSDR Class of 1969

CSDR years: 1959–1969 Academic and Vocational Diplomas 

Factors that contributed to his growth at CSDR: ASL, Deaf community, dedicated teachers and dorm counselors. 

B.S. degree in Health Community Education from CSUN

M.Ed. degree in Deaf Education from WMC (McDaniel College)

Ph.D. degree in Health and Human Services from CPU with Dissertation Advisors: Dr. Harlan Lane and Dr. Betty G. Miller

Certificates from City University, Harvard University and UCLA

Former Director and Clinical Supervisor of MH/Substance Addiction Recovery in Washington. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Georgia.

Home: Retired to Phoenix, Arizona

Notable Achievements: Dr. Frank Lala published a book "Counseling the Deaf Substance Abuser" 416 pages (1994). Through decades of leadership, education, and public service, he has advanced communication access, Deaf leadership, and disability rights at the local, state, and national levels. Received proclamations from Mayors and Governor commendation awards;  5^th Degree Black Belt in Chuck Norris Karate System.

Advice for the Youth and deaf community: We are not in the hands of an inevitable fate or destiny - Fate and destiny are in our hands to shape, mold and frame by foresight and vision we dare to see for ourselves.

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Nancy Jones Lewis

Class year: 1974

Years of enrollment: 1968-1974 (6 years)

Factors that contribute to one’s growth on campus: first exposure to ASL and deaf teachers/role models, language growth, sports, dorm life, and got inspired to go to college

BA/BS: B.A., Psychology, Gallaudet University, Washington DC, 1978

MA/MS: M.A., Counseling, New York University, New York City 1980

PhD/EdD: PhD, Counseling and development, The American University, Washington DC, 1992

Profession: Happily retired! My husband and I are happily living here in St. Augustine. In addition to four deaf children who are now adults, our have four pets. I enjoy going to the beach and traveling. As an avid book reader, too, I love to immerse in both fiction and non fiction books.

Hometown: St. Augustine, FL

Advice for the Youth: I believe anyone can learn anything at any age. This includes developing essential skills and other invaluable information that you stumble across when you read books or when you meet people of different paths. Always keep your mind and heart open and never stop learning!

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Tracy Rouly Knight

CSDR Class of 1988

CSDR years: 1985-1988

Factors contributed to Tracy’s growth at CSDR:  Communication, peers, extracurricular activities, dorm residence

BA degree from Gallaudet in 1992

MA degree in Deaf Studies and Deaf Education from Lamar University in Texas in 1995

EdD degree in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education from Lamar University in Texas in 2013

Associate Professor and Coordinator of the ASL program at Sam Houston State University in Texas since 2018

Home in Houston, Texas

Advice for the Youth: Pursue a goal, presevere, open-mind and meet people

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Charles Katz

CSDR Class of 1978

CSDR enrollment years:  1967-1978

Factors contributed to Charles’ growth at CSDR:  Theater

BA degrees in Theater Arts and English Literature from Gallaudet University in 1982

MA degree in Deaf Education from New York University in 1984

EdD degree in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education from Lamar University in Texas in 2000

Retired educator for ASL and Deaf Education with 42 years of service

Advice for the youth:

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Raymond Merritt, ’91

CSDR Class of 1991

CSDR years: 1985–1992* (Received diploma in February 1992 at age 16)

Factors that contributed to his growth at CSDR: Student Leadership, athletics, American Sign Language, Deaf community, dedicated teachers, and dorm life.

B.A. degree in Biology (Magna Cum Laude) from Gallaudet University in 1999

M.S. degree in Genetics from George Washington University in 2003

Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 2009

Former Associate Professor of Biology at Gallaudet University (1999–2014); currently an education researcher, author, and advocate whose work focuses on ASL education, language policy, and the future of ASL immersion schools.

Home: College Park, Maryland with a plan to move back to his home town in Riverside, California in 2027

Notable Achievement: Among the earliest Black Deaf scholars to earn a Ph.D. in neuroscience and cognitive science, he continues to advance research and public dialogue on ASL education and language access.

Advice for the Youth: Dream big, embrace your language and identity, never stop learning, and use your education to create opportunities for future generations.

Petra Horn Rose, ’82

Keith Gamache, ’92

Brad Cohen, ’95

Heather Van Zee Heather, ’93

Oscar Robinson, ’95