WPSD Alumni Association

Distinguished Alumnus

The member(s) shall be chosen for becoming “well-known” among the Deaf community across the country. Also that person can be recognized for his/her services to their fellow deaf citizens on a voluntary basis.

List of honorable biography of Distinguished Alumnus, based on chronology date order of the award.

Libby (Sparks) Pollard – 1993

  • Graduated from WPSD in 1956
  • Everyone know her as Libby, her sign name – “L” tapping on the chest
  • Education
    • Attended West Virginia School for the Deaf
    • Enrolled and graduated from WPSD in 1956
    • Attended Gallaudet University in 1955 but not graduate
    • Graduated from the Electronics Computer Programming Institute in Cleveland, Ohio in 1972
  • Professional careers
    • Hired as a keypunch/data entry operator at the Iron City Sash and Door Company in Pittsburgh
    • Her advanced skills led to two promotions,
    • Junior Computer Programmer
    • Senior Programmer/Systems Analyst
    • Retired in April 2002 after 30 years
  • Deaf Community
    • Local
      • Alumni Association
      • National Fraternal Society of the Deaf #36
        • First female President
      • Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf (PAD)
        • First female President (1992-97)
        • Secretary
    • State
      • Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD)
        • Board Member
        • First female President (1992-
    • National
      • Gallaudet University Alumni Association (GUAA)
    • National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
      • Region 1 Board Member (1994-98)
      • President (1998-2002)
  • Became Certified Parliamentarian
    • Served as a parliamentarian for many organizations
    • Hosted many parliamentary and leadership workshops for young future Deaf leaders
  • WPSD Board of Trustee
    • Member (1988- 2008)
  • Died on April 26, 2020 at the age of 80
  • Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
  • Received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 1993
  • Received the Outstanding Alumni Award at WPSD in 1998
  • Received the Alumni Merit Award in 2020

Mary Lou Novitsky – 1996

  • Grew up with her deaf parent in Johnstown
  • Graduated in 1974
  • Entered Gallaudet College and graduated in 1979
  • Professional Career
    • Producer in the Department of Television, Photography, and Educational Technology at the Gallaudet University more than 20 years
    • Co-host of Deaf Mosaic, the Emmy-award winning magazine program featuring stories about deaf and hard-of-hearing people
      • Received five Emmy awards; Composite (Host, interview or moderator) twice, Producer twice, and Talent for her work on Deaf Mosaic
    • Television freelance to perform as a TV consultant, scriptwriter, producer, and director for the professional organizations and production companies
    • Stage actress as Kristen in “Deafnasty” (TV old show “Dynasty”) in 1984
  • WPSD Board of Trustees
    • Member (1999-2012)
  • Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1996

Alan Barwiolek – 1999

  • Born on July 19, 1952 to the deaf family in Greensburg, PA
  • Graduated from WPSD in 1970
  • Attended Gallaudet University to major in drama and graduated in 1975
  • Obtained a master’s degree in educational theater from New York University in 1979
  • Professional Career
    • Associate professor of sign language studies at Union College, in Plainfield, New Jersey
    • Deaf-blind specialist at the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and a counselor at the Hoehne Rehabilitation Center
  • One of the founders of the New York Deaf Theater
  • Died on April 17, 1996 at the age of 43
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1999

Dorothy (Marsh) Schwartzman – 2002

  • Graduated from WPSD in 1936
  • Hired in 1936 as a houseparent in the Girl’s Side
  • Became a teacher’s aide and then language tutor in 1976
  • Retired in 1984 after 25 years of service
  • Active in WPSD Alumni Association for many years
  • Founded the Miss Deaf Pennsylvania Pageant in 1977 with her husband, Solomon who was a teacher at WPSD
  • Named an honorary sister of the Phi Kappa Zeta sorority at the Gallaudet University in 1992
  • Died on December 3, 2007 at the age of 91
  • Received the Alumni Merit Award in 1993
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2002

Audrain (Kukleski) Graham – 2005

  • Graduated from WPSD in 1948
  • Graduated from Gallaudet University in 1954
  • Professional Career
    • Teacher at the West Virginia School for the Deaf (1954-57)
    • Teacher at WPSD (1957-78)
  • Married Lester Graham inside the WPSD auditorium on December 30, 1978
  • Left WPSD after 21 years of service in 1978
  • Passed away on January 11, 2001 at the age of 66
  • Left $650,000 to WPSD
  • Her sign name is sign “K” moved from the left side of the head to right side
  • Received the Superintendent’s Award at WPSD in 2001
  • Received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2005

Dr. Nathie Marbury – 2008

  • Born January 20, 1944 in Grenada, Missouri but grew up in PA
  • Education
    • Graduated from WPSD in 1962
    • Bachelor’s degree in Home Economic from Gallaudet University in 1975
    • Master’s degree in Special Education from California State University at Northridge (CSUN) in August 1976
    • 2nd master’s degre in Educational Administration & Supervision in January 1988
    • Doctorate degree in Deaf Studies/Deaf Education at Lamar University in Austin, Texas in 2007
  • Professional Career
    • First black deaf female instructor at the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf (1978-86)
    • ASL Specialist at California Deaf School in Fremont (1991-92)
    • Regional Resource Center Director at Ohlone Community College in Fremont (1992-95)
    • Director of Sign Enhances, Inc. in Salem, Oregon (1996-97)
    • ASL Teacher at Shoreline Community College in Shoreline, Washington (1997-99)
    • Professor of ASL Interpreter Training Department at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas (1999-2013)
    • No Hand Me Down video was released by Tactile Mind Press in 2005 to share stories and ASL poems
  • Board of Trustees
    • Member (2008-2013)
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2008
  • Died on April 15, 2013 at the age of 60 after battling cancer
  • Received the Superintendent’s Award at WPSD in 2013
  • Received posthumously Lifetime Achievement Award from National Black Deaf Advocates in 2013
  • Was honroned during GUAA’s commenoration of Women’s History Month in 2024

Dr. Harold Mowl Jr. – 2008

  • Born to the WPSD parents of Merwin and Jane ‘40 (Wilson) Mowl
  • Graduated in 1965
  • Entered Bethany College and graduated in 1969
  • At WPSD
    • A part-time boys’ dormitory counselor (1968-70) while getting his bachelor’s from Bethany College and master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh
    • Teacher (1970-75)
    • Consulting Teacher (1973-75)
    • Dean of Boys (1974-77)
    • Dean of Students (1977-90)
    • Principal (1985-90)
    • Left WPSD in 1990 after 22 years of service
  • Became the first deaf Superintendent at the Rochester School for the Deaf RSD) since 1876
  • Retired in June 2015 for his 25 year service to RSD
  • Called to be Interim Superintendent at New York School for the Deaf in White Plain, New York
  • WPSD Board of Trustees
    • Member (2009-present)
    • President (2019-2022)
  • Donated to the Sharing the Future at WPSD & Alumni Giving Tree
  • Received the Alumni Merit Award in 1999
  • Received the Outstanding Alumni Award at WPSD in 2000
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2008

David Binning – 2014

  • Graduated in 1977
  • Associate degree in electromechanical technology from  the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) in 1981
  • Professional Career
    • Senior Lab Specialist at IBM in North Carolina and          Arizona (1982-2006)
    • Installer/trainer for the Sorenson Communication for 5 years
    • Direct Manager (2006-09)
    • Retired in 2009 after a total of 27 years
  • Deaf Community
    • President of the North Carolina Association of the Deaf  (1997-2001)
    • Vice President of the Wisconsin Association of the Deaf (2013-17)
  • Received the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Distinguished Alumni Award
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2014

Rodney Danco – 2014

  • Born to the WPSD parents of Rade ’34 and Marie (Rice) ’41* Danco
  • Graduated in 1965
  • Graduated from Point Park University with bachelor’s degree in Business Management in 1970
  • Vice President of Finance for Danco Precision, Inc., a family-owned business near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
  • Attends Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD) and National Association of the Deaf (NAD) Conventions
  • At WPSD
    • First alumnus to serve on the Board of the Trustees (1984-2006)
    • First Deaf President of the WPSD Board of  Trustees (2002-06)
  • Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
  • Received the Outstanding Board Member at WPSD in 1996
  • Received the Outstanding Alumni Award at WPSD in 1999
  • Receive the Distinguished Award in 2002
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2014

Donald Galloway – 2020

  • Education
    • Graduated WPSD in 1973
    • Entered Behany College and graduated in 1977
    • Competed his master’s degree in Deaf Education at the New York University in 1980
    • Received a professional certification in School Leader from New York University in 1991
  • Professional Careers
    • Teacher at the Mill Neck Manor School for the Deaf in Mill Neck, New York (1977-80)
    • Teacher to the Lexington School for the Deaf in New York (1980-91)
    • Adjust Professional Coordinator at New York University (1982-85)
    • ASL Instructor at New York Society for the Deaf (1984-87)
    • Director of Pupils Personnel Services (1991-96)
    • Executive Director at treasure Coast Deaf Service in Port St. Lucie, Florida (1996-99)
    • Adjunct Professor – Interpreter TrainingProgram at Indian River Community College inFlorida (1998-99)
    • Student Services Director at Atlantic Area School for the Deaf in Georgia (1999-2013)
    • CEO/Superintendent of the Lexington School for the Deaf (LSD) (2013-19) and retired in 2019
  • Deaf Community
    • Treasurer and President of New York Coalition of Deaf Educator (1985-96)
    • New York Deaf Theatre
      • Board Treasurer (1991-92)
      • Board President 1992-96 & 2018- present)
    • School 50th Anniversary Planning Committee at Maryland School for the Deaf (2021-23)
    • Entertainment Coordinator for National Deaf Senior Citizens (DSA) 2021-23)
  • Received the Alumnus Distinguished in 2020
Valentine Wojton

Valentine Wojton III – 2020

  • Education
    • Graduated from WPSD in 1976
    • Enrolled Gallaudet College and graduated in 1981
  • At WPSD Careers
    • Dormitory (1986-91)
    • Teacher (1991-94)
    • Coordinator of Sign Communication Program (1994-2002)
    • Athletic Director (2002-23)
      • Assistant Coach & Head Coach in all sports including girls’ sports
      • Advisor in many organizations for many years
      • Soccer Coach won 6 times National Soccer Team of the Year
    • Retired on August 2023 after 37 years of service
  • Alumni Association
    • Member at Large (1987-93 & 1999-2002)
    • President (1993-96)
    • Secretary (1996-99 & 2005-23)
    • Treasurer (2002-05)
  • National Softball Association of the Deaf (NSAD)
    • Commissioner (2002-2006 & 2008-2010)
    • Deputy Commissioner (2001)
  • Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf Club
    • President (1990-96 & 2004-06)
    • Chairperson for the PAD’s 80th and 85th Anniversary
    • Chairperson for the GLDBA Tournament here in Pittsburgh 
  • One of the teachers of the PSAD’s Leadership Training Program (LTP)
  • Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2002
  • Received the Alumni Merit Award in 2017
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2020

Ida (Gray) Hampton – 2023

  • Education
    • Graduated in 1951 at WPSD
    • At Gallaudet College
      • First black deaf woman to graduate with bachelor’s degree from Gallaudet College in 1957
        • Black women were not allowed to attend Gallaudet until the 1950s
      • Joined the Delta Epsilon Sorority and was its first black member
  • Professional Career
    • Florida School for the Deaf and Blind
      • Teacher (1957-87)
      • Earned a Master of Education degree from the University of North Florida in Special Education of Children with Learning Disabilities
      • Pre-school Teacher (1987-89)
      • Retired in 1989 after 32 years of service
  • Received a degree of Doctor of Humane letters from Gallaudet University in 2018
  • Recieved the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2023
  • Was honored during GUAA’s commemoration of Women’s History Month in 2024

Agatha (Tiegel) Hanson – 2023

  • Born on September 14, 1873 in Pittsburgh
  • Became deaf and lost eyesight in one eye at the age of 7 due to spinal meningitis
  • Attended a Catholic academy and then a public school until she turned 13 years old
  • Readmitted to WPSD on October 1886 and graduated in 1888
  • Gallaudet University
    • Entered Gallaudet University in 1888 at 15 years of age
    • Established a debate group for women and after seeing how well women were succeeding, Gallaudet revoked the school ban on female students
    • Co-founder and associate editor for Gallaudet University’s student newspaper, “The Buff and Blue” in 1892
    • One of the 13 founders to organize a secret girl society, then called the OWLS (Phi Kappa Zeta) and became its first president in 1892
    • The first woman to graduate with a bachelor of arts degree from Gallaudet University as well as the first woman to serve as class valedictorian in 1893
    • Her valedictorian speech, “The Intellect of Women,” represented a cause she advocated throughout her life
  • Taught at the Minnesota School for the Deaf for 6 years
  • Deaf Community
    • Held officer level positions
      • Seattle’s Puget Sound Association of the Deaf
      • Episcopal Church’s Deaf Mission
      • Washington State Association of the Deaf
    • Gallaudet University Alumni Association
      • Treasurer (1896-99)
      • 2nd Vice President (1899-04)
      • 1st Vice President (1936-39)
  • Her achievements helped to pave the way for more opportunities for future generations of deaf women
  • Received the Distinguished Alumna Award in 2023

Provided by Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974 who spend his time for the research on alumni awards. This would not have been possible without his support in our WPSD Alumni Association.