Davila, Robert R.

Became higest-ranking deaf government official ever, 1989-1992, when President George H. Bush appointed him as Assistant Secretary in the Department of Education, head of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services. Born at San Diego, CA, to migrant Mexican farm workers; deafened at age 8 by spinal meningitis; attended California School for the Deaf, Berkeley, graduating 1948. Graduated Gallaudet College in 1953; M.Ed. from Hunter College; Ph.D. (1972) from Syracuse University. Teacher at the New York School for the Deaf (Fanwood); Director of the Kendall School, 1974-1978, then Vice President for Pre-College Programs at Gallaudet College. After his Government post, became Headmaster (superintendent) of Fanwood, 1993-1996; Vice President of the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, 1996 until retirement to Maryland about 2001. Emerged from retirement when he was appointed Interim President of Gallaudet University, 2006- . First deaf person to be elected president of the CAID, president of the CED, and of the CEAD.