Alumni Reunion’s most highlight event is the Alumni Awards Ceremony on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Stephen Rute ’74, Chairman of the Alumni Awards Committee, introduced each recipient and shared the background and accomplishments that made them deserve of recognition.
Alumni Merit Award
David Fulmer – Class of 1996
David Fulmer has worked as an application developer at BNY Mellon since 2004. Through his employer’s charitable program, the bank donates $1,500 annually to the WPSD Alumni Association in recognition of the volunteer hours David dedicates to developing and maintaining the WPSD History website.
He first became involved with the Alumni Association as a member-at-Large in 2002. In 2014, he ran for the position of First Vice President to assist in organizing the 36th Alumni Reunion at WPSD in 2017. Since 2020, he has returned to serving as a member-at-Large. David also redesigned the Alumni Association website and continues to manage and update WPSDAlumni.org. He also serves on the Alumni Award Committee in 2024.
In 2005, WPSD honored him with the Outstanding Alumni Award.
Athletic Hall of Fame
Gary Butlin – Class of 1974
Gary Butlin enrolled at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) and made his mark as a multi-sport athlete, participating in soccer (4 years), wrestling (5 years), track (4 years), and softball (2 years). As a standout wrestler, he competed at the 2nd Annual Invitational Wrestling Tournament in 1969, narrowly losing the championship match by a referee’s decision. He went on to place second place at the National Independent College Preparatory Schools Tournament held at Lehigh University in 1973.
Gary served as wrestling captain from 1972 to 1974. Under his leadership, the WPSD wrestling team achieved its first winning season since 1959, finishing with an 8-6 record. His individual season record in 1974 was an outstanding 11-1-1, contributing to a two-year varsity record of 27-4-1.
After graduating, Gary worked as a dedicated postal employee, retiring in 2011 after 26 years of service. Never one to stay idle, he turned his passion to sports once again—this time through cornhole. In 2023, he founded the Pennsylvania Deaf Cornhole and currently serves as its President. He has competed in numerous tournaments across the eastern United States, winning several matches and championship titles.
Gary also remains active in the WPSD community, organizing cornhole tournaments as part of his fundraising efforts for the Alumni Association. His continued dedication helps strengthen alumni connections and support the school.
George Greco – Class of 1919
George Greco was a trailblazer in WPSD athletics, taking the field in the fall of 1918 as a member of the school’s first interscholastic soccer team. A talented all-around athlete, he also served as the pitcher for the baseball team and played for four years.
George truly shined on the basketball court, playing four seasons and contributing to one of the most dominant eras in WPSD history. His team went undefeated twice—posting a 16-0 record in 1916–17 and an incredible 23-0 record in 1918–19. Over four years, the team amassed an outstanding record of 53 wins and only 2 losses. George served as team captain during the 1916–17 season and once scored 50 points in a single game against the WPSD Alumni team, helping lead the varsity to a commanding 102–18 victory in 1919.
Following graduation, George continued his passion for basketball, playing for both the Pittsburgh Silent and the WPSD Alumni teams, keeping his athletic spirit alive for years to come.
Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Harry Lang – Class of 1965
When Harry Lang first enrolled at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD), he had no knowledge of American Sign Language or Deaf Culture. Yet through determination and curiosity, he embraced his education and graduated in the Class of 1965.
He went on to attend Bethany College, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1969. A year later, he began his distinguished career in education as a professor at the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). While teaching at RIT, he earned both his master’s degree and doctoral degree in Education Science and Curriculum from the University of Rochester, becoming the second WPSD alumnus to earn a doctoral degree in that field in 1979.
Dr. Lang served with dedication for 41 years at RIT, retiring in 2011. He was widely recognized for his excellence in teaching, scholarship, and mentorship.
A lifelong supporter of his alma mater, Dr. Lang served on the WPSD Board of Trustees for 23 years (1988–2011). He also gave generously to WPSD through contributions to the Sharing the Future Campaign and the Alumni Giving Tree.
In addition to his educational work, Dr. Lang is a prolific author. His many books explore the lives of Deaf scientists, Deaf history, and the role of Deaf individuals during the Civil War. In 2009, he published A Pictorial History of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, preserving the rich legacy of the school he once attended.
- RIT Outstanding Teacher Award (1984)
- Alumni Award for Achievement in Education, Bethany College (1994)
- Outstanding Alumni Award, WPSD (1994)
- RIT Trustees Scholarship Award for academic scholarship (2006)
- Outstanding Board Member Award, WPSD (2001 & 2011)
- Schuchman Deaf History Award, Gallaudet University (2019)
Dr. Harry Lang’s legacy is one of scholarship, service, and storytelling—an enduring inspiration to Deaf students, educators, and historians across the world.
Dr. Harold Mowl, Jr. – Class of 1965
Born to Deaf parents, Harold Mowl Jr. enrolled at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD), where he thrived and graduated in the Class of 1965. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Bethany College in 1969 and later completed his master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
While still a college student, Harold worked as a part-time boys’ dormitory counselor at WPSD from 1968 to 1970. He officially began teaching in 1970 and took on additional duties as a counseling teacher from 1973 to 1975. His leadership skills quickly earned recognition: he was promoted to Dean of Boys in 1974, then Dean of Students in 1977, and eventually Principal—all while continuing his counseling responsibilities.
In 1985, Harold earned his doctoral degree in Special Education from the University of Pittsburgh, becoming the third WPSD alumnus to achieve this distinction. He also authored WPSD History 1869–1987 (Third Edition), preserving the school’s legacy for future generations.
After 22 years of service at WPSD, Dr. Mowl left in 1990 to become the first Deaf Superintendent of the Rochester School for the Deaf (RSD) since its founding in 1876. He led the school with vision and dedication for 25 years, retiring in 2015 after nearly five decades in Deaf education. Following his retirement, he continued serving as Interim Superintendent at the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, helping guide the search for permanent leadership.
Dr. Mowl’s connection to WPSD remained strong. He joined the WPSD Board of Trustees in 2009 and recently completed a four-year term as Board President in 2023. He continues to serve on the board today.
A dedicated alumnus, Dr. Mowl was deeply involved in the Alumni Association. He served as President from 1969 to 1975, Member-at-Large from 1984 to 1990, and Editor of the Alumni Newspaper during those same years.
His generosity toward his alma mater is reflected in his contributions to both the Sharing the Future campaign and the Alumni Giving Tree. Dr. Mowl has been honored with multiple awards, including:
- Alumni Merit Award (1999)
- Outstanding Alumni Award (2000)
- Distinguished Alumnus Award (2008)
Dr. Harold Mowl Jr.’s legacy is one of leadership, service, and lasting impact on Deaf education and the WPSD community.
Distinguished Alumni Award
Dr. Eddy Laird – Class of 1970
After graduating from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD), Eddy Laird enrolled at Gallaudet College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1975. He went on to receive an impressive five academic degrees: two master’s degrees from the University of Tennessee and California State University, Northridge; a doctoral degree from Northeastern University; and an Ed.D. in Deaf Education/Deaf Studies from Lamar University in 2005. He holds the distinction of being the fourth WPSD graduate to earn a doctoral degree in the field of Deaf Education/Deaf Studies.
Dr. Laird began his professional career at the Tennessee School for the Deaf, serving in three distinct positions from 1975 to 1980. He then became Executive Director of the New England Homes for the Deaf in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1981. During that time, he also served as an adjunct instructor at Northeastern University and Boston University.
In 1992, he was appointed Superintendent of the Indiana School for the Deaf, a position he held until 1995. Later, in 2000, he joined McDaniel College in Maryland as an Associate Professor, where he remained until his retirement in 2019.
Dr. Laird has been elected president of four different state associations and has served on numerous committees and boards dedicated to advancing the Deaf community and Deaf professionals since 1982. In recognition of his outstanding leadership and service, he has received numerous honors and awards from six states: the District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Texas, Indiana, and Tennessee.
Congratulations! Your names will forever be recognized and remembered by the WPSD Alumni Association.