Cornett, R. Orin (Richard Orin)

Hearing. Born at Driftwood, OK; bachelor's degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, master's from University of Oklahoma, and Ph.D. from University of Texas. Taught at Oklahoma Baptist, Penn State and Harvard Universities before coming to Gallaudet College in 1965 as vice-president for long-range planning. In 1965-1966, developed Cued Speech as an aid for speechreading and improving English-reading skills of deaf children. Created the Gallaudet football team's famous open-sided bass drum to reduce the problem of offside penalties. 1975-1984, was director of Gallaudet's Cued Speech Programs unit and adapted Cued Speech to 52 languages and dialects. Retired in 1984 with professor emeritus status; died of a heart attack at Laurel, MD.