Central Institute for the Deaf Alumni Association
HISTORY
OF THE
CENTRAL
INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
ALUMNI
ASSOCIATION
Prior
to the founding of the Central Institute for the Deaf Alumni Association, Miss
Julia Connery, second principal of CID from 1918 to 1941, had envisioned a
possibility of an alumni organization after a successful first reunion in June
1936. Desiring once more to see the alumni together before her retirement, she
called them to attend the second reunion in June 1941, appointing Kenneth Booth
as a chairman of Organization Committee. Doris Wilson Blanchard opened the first
meeting’s morning session, and in the evening session, Kenneth Booth chaired
the meeting where the organization was formed as the Central Institute for the
Deaf Alumni Association (CIDAA). The first officers were elected: Marie Tilson
Smith as the president; Robert Skinner, vice president; Kenneth Booth,
secretary; Violet Wilkinson, treasurer, and Howard W. Schwartz, editor. Dr.
Richard Silverman was selected as the Association's first sponsor. It was agreed
that the reunion was to be held every five years.
This
reunion was a timely occasion for Dr. Max Goldstein who passed away a month
later. He was well remembered enjoying being with his "children" while
in his wheelchair at the reunion despite his paralytic stroke he had received in
January, 1941. A first issue (November 1, 1941) of the Alumni News was dedicated
respectfully and lovingly to the late Dr. Goldstein.
In
October 1941, Mrs. Goldstein was bestowed as our first honorary member, and
later before 1947, Miss Connery became the next honorary member.
In
1942, 1943, and 1945, new officers were elected by mail from the members of the
Association.
The
Association, its St. Louis and Chicago chapters took their parts supporting
various funds for CID ‑‑ Goldstein Scholarship, Building, and
Expansion Funds from 1942 to 1949.
The
third reunion was to be held in 1946, but due to Post World War II conditions,
it was postponed until June 1947. Its chairman was Howard Schwartz. A reunion
program booklet was dedicated as a memorial to the late Dr. Goldstein. The
officers were then elected at the reunion to serve for four years until 1951
when the term of office would be five years from then on. At the banquet, a
check of $226.25 was presented to Mrs. Goldstein for CID's Building Fund. In May
1949, a donation of $260.32 was given to CID for its Expansion Fund. These
contributions were raised through Mr. Schwartz as the Chairman of the drives
under the Association. In addition, a donation of $163.00 was raised through
Jack Calveard's own drive.
Chairman
Dayton Stone conducted the fourth reunion in June 1951, and the highlight of the
program was a memorial service for Miss Connery who passed away in November
1950.
The
fifth reunion, under the chairmanship of Russell DeHaven, was held in June 1956.
A memorial service for Dr. Max Goldstein was one of the events of the program.
The
Scholarship Fund Club was formed under Russell DeHaven's leadership after the
1956 reunion for the purpose of raising money to help educate a deaf child at
CID. The fund was augmented mostly through St. Louis Chapter's social activities
until 1961, the year of next reunion.
The
sixth reunion in June 1961, with William B. Sheldon as its chairman, took place
as a silver (25th) anniversary occasion of our first reunion in 1936. A check of
three hundred dollars from the Scholarship Fund Club was presented by Russell
DeHaven, the fund chairman, to Dr. Silverman. Another highlight was that Mrs.
Goldstein was presented a large painted photograph of herself. Honorary
memberships were bestowed upon Dr. Richard Silverman,
Dr. Helen S. Lane, Mrs. Lucia Sharpe, Miss May Templeman, and Miss
Mildred McGinnis.
In
March 1965, the CID held its 50th anniversary celebration with its
five‑day program which many local and out‑of‑town alumni
attended. As a gift from the Association, a marble‑topped coffee table was
presented to CID for its newly redecorated teacher's and visitor's lounge.
At
the seventh reunion held under Sam Davis as its chairman in June 1966, Richard
Meyer, chairman of CIDAA National Scholarship Fund, formerly Scholarship Fund
Club, presented a check of one thousand dollars to Dr. Silverman for CID at the
banquet. The guests receiving honorary memberships were Mrs. Jessie Skinner,
Miss Evelyn Humphreys, Mrs. Frances Maritz, and Dr. Audrey Simmons. Another
honorary member was announced ‑ Jane Olmsted, who was unable to attend the
banquet.
In
November 1968, a bazaar given by the St. Louis Chapter was successful ‑ a
substantial proceed for the National Scholarship Fund was attained.
A
program booklet of the eighth reunion in June 1971, under Paul L. Taylor as its
chairman, was dedicated as a special tribute to Dr. Helen S. Lane for her forty
years of exemplary leadership at CID. In 1972, she retired from her duties as a
psychology professor, registrar, and principal‑‑the latter since
1941. At the reunion banquet, William Sheldon, the chairman of National
Scholarship Fund, presented to Dr. Silverman a check of $7,000. Also a generous
contribution was collected and presented to Dr. Lane to purchase books for the
Children's Library.
The
honorary membership recipients were Dr. Hallowell Davis, Mrs. Ruth Geier, Miss
Mae Galli, and Mrs. Mary Lou Koelkebeck.
The
CIDAA Posthumous Award (for those for their meritorious services) was created.
The recipients of this award were Miss Byrd Cox, Dr. Max Goldstein, Mrs.
Francis H. Lester, Miss Augusta Roeder, Mrs. Lillian Smalley and Mr. Alfred Thea.
During
the 1971 reunion, the Association made the CIDAA directory be updated every 5
years. The
one-time payment of $50.00 for CIDAA life membership was abolished.
At
the 1971 reunion, there were 195 active members, 18 associate members and 8
honorary members.
Another
scholarship fund‑raising project‑‑annual Christmas card sales
was initiated in 1972, and a very generous proceed each year has been realized.
Since
its founding, a membership of the Association has grown from 39 to 294 active
and associate members by 1975.
The
ninth reunion in June 1976, with Richard J. Meyer as its chairman, took place as
a first-ever Joint CIDAA – SJIAA (St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf Alumni
Association) Reunion.
A check of $14,000 from the National Scholarship Fund was presented by
William Jordan Jr., the fund chairman, to Dr. Donald Calvert.
Over 400 (both CIDAA and SJIAA) attended that reunion.
Honorary
memberships were bestowed upon Mr. Irvin Shore and Miss Helen Woodward.
Posthumous
Awards went to Mr. Lewis T. Apple, Miss Cora Lacy, Miss Ethel Nichols, Mrs.
Lillian B. Sheldon, Miss Blanche Snoddy and Mrs. Elizabeth M. West.
The
office of Vice President was split into two new positions:
First Vice President (Chairman of Reunion Committee) and Second Vice
President (Chairman of Directory Committee).
David Rosenthal and Charles Murphy were elected as the First
Vice-President and Second Vice-President, respectively.
After
Paul Kiel’s resignation, David Rosenthal ascended to the office of President.
David doubled as the chairman of the 1981 Reunion committee.
The
tenth reunion in June 1981, with David Rosenthal as its chairman, took place.
A check of $5,000 from the National Scholarship Fund was presented by
William C. Ross, the fund chairman, to CID.
Honorary
memberships were bestowed upon Dr. Ira J. Hirsh, Mrs. Marcia F. Tash and Mrs.
Helen G. Wolff.
Posthumous
Awards went to Mrs. W. W. Boyd Jr., Mr. Leroy Lane, Mr. J. Reynolds Medart and
Mr. Edwin B. Meissner.
Distinguished
Alumni Awards was created. The recipients of this award were Dr. T. Alan Hurwitz,
William H. Jordan and Howard W. Schwartz.
The
1981 C.I.D.A.A. Reunion ended with the election of David Rosenthal as our
president of this association for the next five years. That time, it was the
first time in the history of the association to have a woman to plan a Reunion
after all the men who organized the previous reunions. Kathryne McGuigan Sheldon
was elected for this job. Since the Reunion chairperson was the first
vice‑president's job of the association, Kathryne meticulously kept the
board informed of the plans/ideas/changes of the Reunion committee for the big
event, the 1986 C.I.D.A.A. ‑ 50th Anniversary Reunion.
While
the C.I.D.A.A. Board under David Rosenthal's direction was working hard in
tackling the issues affecting our association, Kathryne's Reunion committee was
busy dealing with the details with the staff at the site of our event, the
conference center of Washington University. Then in 1985, our president, David
Rosenthal, made the decision for personal reasons to resign his position.
Kathryne Sheldon then had to step into his shoes to take over the reins of the
board. Because her reunion committee was moving along with the plans, she felt
she should not leave the position of the chairmanship of that group without
disrupting their plans. Kathryne had to move back and forth from each group to
make sure that both the board and the reunion committee were running properly.
It was not an easy road for everyone to travel but they made it to the
1986 Reunion! Along the way, they learned the meaning of leadership, cooperation
and the fine art of running the board/committee.
The
eleventh reunion in June 1986, with Kathryne as its chairperson, took place.
A check of $12,000 from the National Scholarship Fund was presented by
James H. Higgs III, the fund chairman, to CID.
Honorary
memberships were bestowed upon Helen Barton, Phyllis Britt, Dr. Donald Calvert,
Dr. Frank Kleffner and Agnes Loesche.
Posthumous
Awards went to Robert N. Arthur, Mary Schofield Burton, Evelyn S. Grand, Joseph
Goldstein, Julian G. Samuels and Katrine Dallmeyer Otto.
The
recipients of Distiguished Alumni Award were Henry Buzzard, Laurie Tatman and
William B. Sheldon.
The
First Vice President Office was restored to Vice President; the Second Vice
President Office was changed to Reunion Chair.
Secretary
was split into Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary Office.
At
the 1986 Reunion, Kathryne Sheldon was elected president of the association, but
in 1988, she made the difficult decision for personal and health reasons to
resign the position. Bonnie Williams Sandy took over the reins and the members
of her board. Bonnie
doubled as the CIDAA Bulletin Editor, as well as the editor of 1991 CIDAA
directory.
The
twelfth reunion (CIDAA’s 50th Anniversary) in June 1991, with Gloria Basta as
its chairperson, took place.
A check of $21,000 from the National Scholarship Fund was presented by
Vivian Carrico, the fund chairman, to CID.
Honorary
memberships were bestowed upon Charles M. Donnelly, Victoria J. Kozak and Jean
S. Moog.
Posthumous
Awards went to Edwin R. Christman and David R. Williams.
The
recipients of Distiguished Alumni Award were Paul Ogden, Mary Helen Pearl and
Paul L. Taylor.
Bonnie
Williams became the first CIDAA President to get married during the term.
In 1992 she married Steve Sandy and became Bonnie Sandy.
Editor
Steve Williams finally produced the CIDAA Bulletin at regular intervals after a
long hiatus.
Mark
Edghill designed the new CIDAA logo before the Reunion in 1996.
CID
alumnae Heather Whitestone became the Miss America in 1994. She was the first
deaf woman in U.S. history to attain that much-coveted title.
Corresponding
Secretary Jeff Wasserman took the additional responsibility of chairing the
second Joint CIDAA-SJIAA Reunion in July 1996. That reunion was CIDAA’s 13th.
Over 800 (from both CIDAA and SJIAA)
attended that joint reunion.
The
presentation of awards was moved to CID luncheon from the Reunion Banquet.
Bonnie
Sandy created the Distinguished Young Alumni Awards.
Bill and Kathy Sheldon sponsored a Roster Plaque for the Distinguished
Young Alumni Award. (Other Roster Plaques for other award categories were
already made many years before).
Ashley
Victors, Holly Bullard, Andy Tao, Jeffrey Tucker and Aileen Crowe received the
Distinguished Young Alumni Awards.
Honorary
memberships were bestowed upon Barbara Lanfer, Laura McCann and Christina M.
Wood.
Posthumous
Award went to Mrs. Catherine Pundmann.
The
recipients of Distiguished Alumni Award were Doris W. Blanchard, C. William
Blank Jr., Vivian M. Carrico, Vicki T. Hurwitz, Kathryne M. Sheldon and Heather
Whitestone.
Mini-CIDAA
Reunions occurred at the NAD (National Association of the Deaf) Convention every
time beginning in 1994.
After
the 1996 reunion, the membership of CIDAA stood at least 345.
Recording
Secretary was reverted to Secretary.
Corresponding Secretary was absorbed into Secretary.
Membership Director was created.
Jeff Wasserman moved from Corresponding Secretary to Membership Director.
He resigned a short time later, due to personal reasons.
President
Larry Dubin retired after 2½ years and Vice President Robie Scholefield
succeeded that office.
Alan Love was appointed by the Board to fill in Vice President’s
office. Rick
Balk was appointed by the Board to fill in the office of Membership Director.
Treasurer
Dan Byrd, with his expertise in monetary accounting works at a large Texas oil
firm, helped streamline the CIDAA monetary balances.
Editor
Robert Crowell and Secretary Steve Williams contributed and developed the CIDAA
website in 1998.
Past President Bonnie Sandy sustained it through her overflowing
contribution. This
website has brought many CID alumni closer together.
Historian
Sharon Liebman and Robert Crowell worked hard to preserve the CIDAA’s photos
and history. Robert
Crowell contributed to laminating the fragile newspaper articles about CID
school, alumni, etc.
Robert scanned hundreds of
photos from CID’s and CIDAA’s archives for the slideshow presentation
at the 14th reunion. Also, the photos were recorded on the CD’s for
distribution to those who attended the reunion. He enlisted many CID alumni to
help in identifying the people in the old photos.
Bonnie
Sandy developed the permanent guidelines for Awards, Directory, and Reunion with
help from several members of the Board.
During
1999-2000 the Board conceived the idea of changing the National Scholarship Fund
(NSF) to CID Children’s Fund (CCF), which includes just about everything –
for scouting needs, field trip needs, certain school needs, after-school
activities, scholarship, etc.
Noel Mangano, the CCF Chair, raised sizeable amount of money through the
sale of Christmas cards, Note cards, etc.
Robert
Crowell transformed the way the CIDAA Bulletin was produced - from typewriter,
3X5 index cards, etc. to computerized storage and production.
Reunion
Chair Trudy Miller and Susan Reekers are seeing that everything is being done in
order to have the most satisfying Reunion 2001 ever.
That reunion will be CIDAA’s 14th. That marks 60 years from the start
of CIDAA Reunion in 1941, but 65
years
from 1936 when the predominately hearing organization known as Society of
Progressive Oral Advocates (teachers, administrators, etc.), invited the CID
alumni for their first-ever alumni reunion.
Miss Julia S. Connery and Dr. S. Richard Silverman co-chaired that
first-ever alumni reunion.