Throughout the history of our School, the title and responsibilities of the administrator have changed over time. The position is known as Principal, Superintendent, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Executive Director.
Summary:
- 1869–1876: There was no official title for the administrator running the school. Rev. John G. Brown, the founder of the school, and Archbald Woodside, the first teacher, worked together to operate the program.
- 1876: The position of Principal was established. The definition of a principal was “one who holds a position of presiding
- 1902: The title of the administrator was changed from Principal to Superintendent.
- 2009: The title was changed from Superintendent to Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO became the highest-ranking executive responsible for overseeing the school and its operations.
- 2023: The title of the administrator returned to Superintendent. At the same time, the school established two administrative positions, with both reporting directly to the Board of Trustees.
- Superintendent: Oversees academics, athletics, residential life, and the Scranton program.
- Executive Director: Oversees the School’s operations, including Human Resources, Business Office, Maintenance/Housekeeping, Technology, Institutional Advancement, Security, and Outreach and Early Intervention.
James H. Logan
1875 – 1880
1875 – 1880
James H. Logan was born on February 27, 1843, in Allegheny City (now Pittsburgh’s North Side). He enrolled at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in 1858 and left in 1863 to work at the U.S. Coast Survey Office in Washington, D.C. In 1864, he entered the newly established National Deaf-Mute College (now Gallaudet University) and became one of its first three graduates, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1869, a master’s degree in 1874, and an honorary Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree in 1914.
Logan began his teaching career at the Illinois School for the Deaf, where he taught for five years before returning to Pennsylvania to teach at WPSD. Although he resigned after the 1875–76 school year because of challenges with the day-school format, the Board of Trustees appointed him as Acting Principal (First Superintendent). He served in this position until October 1880, when he stepped down.
After leaving WPSD, Logan remained in Pittsburgh and pursued scientific research in microscopy. He also worked as an insurance broker and taught at the Western University of Pennsylvania (now the University of Pittsburgh).
James H. Logan died of pneumonia on December 9, 1917, at the age of 73. He was buried at Union Dale Cemetery.
John A. McWhorter
1881 – 1883
1881 – 1883
John A. McWhorter was born on September 15, 1833, in Warsaw, New York. He graduated from Beloit College in Wisconsin in 1856 and spent 13 years teaching at the Wisconsin School for the Deaf. From 1869 to 1876, he served as Superintendent of the Louisiana School for the Deaf in Baton Rouge, where he became highly proficient in sign language. However, political challenges forced him to resign, after which he returned to farming.
In January 1881, at the age of 47, McWhorter was appointed the second principal of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. During his brief tenure, planning was underway for the construction of a new campus in Wilkins Township. Tragically, McWhorter died in office on January 14, 1883, at the age of 49.
Rev. Thomas MacIntire
1882 – 1883
1883 – 1885
Rev. Thomas MacIntire was born in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He graduated from Franklin College in New Athens, Ohio, in 1840 and then attended Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1841. During his missionary work in 1842, he studied sign language under Dr. Thomas Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc at the American School for the Deaf.
His distinguished career in deaf education included:
- Teacher, Ohio School for the Deaf (1842–1845)
- Founding Principal, Tennessee School for the Deaf in Knoxville (1845–1850) — He resigned because of opposition to slavery.
- Owner, bookstore in Columbus, Ohio (1850–1852)
- Principal, Indiana School for the Deaf in Indianapolis (1852–1879)
- Principal, Michigan School for the Deaf in Flint (1879–1882)
In 1877, Rev. MacIntire received an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from the Columbia Institution for the Deaf (now Gallaudet University). At the age of 67, he became the third principal of WPSD, overseeing the School at both Turtle Creek and Wilkinsburg. Due to declining health, he resigned on July 20, 1883, and returned to Indianapolis, where he died on September 25, 1885.
Rev. John G. Brown
1871 – 1904
1885 – 1889
Rev. John G. Brown was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Western University (now the University of Pittsburgh) in 1842 and completed his theological studies at the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1845. He then served as pastor of the Third United Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh for 25 years, from 1846 to 1871.
Deeply interested in the value of daily instruction for deaf students, Rev. Brown became one of the founders of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD) in 1869. He helped establish the school’s charter and was instrumental in organizing the first Board of Trustees in 1871, when he was elected President. In 1876, he authored the school’s first Annual Report.
Rev. Brown’s remarkable service to WPSD spanned 33 years, from 1871 to 1904, as a founding charter member, Superintendent, and Board President. In recognition of his contributions, Western University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity (D.D.) degree in 1864. The WPSD Alumni Association posthumously honored him with the Distinguished Service Award in 2020.
Dr. William N. Burt
1889 – 1921
1889 – 1921
Dr. William N. Burt was born in Vernon, Indiana, and graduated from Hanover College in 1867. A year later, former WPSD Superintendent Dr. William McIntire invited him to join the faculty at the Indiana School for the Deaf. Dr. Burt served there for 22 years, eventually becoming principal, and established a strong reputation as an educational leader deeply committed to the intellectual development of deaf students.
In 1889, Dr. Burt was appointed the fifth principal of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD), a position that was retitled Superintendent in 1902. He brought a progressive educational philosophy grounded in discipline, communication, and higher learning. He firmly believed that deaf students should receive not only vocational training but also preparation for college and civic life. Under his leadership, WPSD expanded its academic curriculum and emphasized reading, writing, and critical-thinking skills, giving students the tools to become independent and educated citizens.
Dr. Burt was a tireless advocate for deaf education. He regularly sought state funding and support from lawmakers, presenting WPSD not as a charity but as an institution of learning deserving of public investment. He personally wrote thousands of letters to parents, guardians, and prospective students, emphasizing the importance of deaf education and building a strong network of support for the school. He also encouraged correspondence between families and students, believing that literacy and letter writing helped strengthen language development and emotional connections.
During his long tenure, Dr. Burt oversaw significant changes at WPSD. On December 14, 1899, the original school building was destroyed by fire. He played a leading role in planning and constructing the new School campus in Edgewood, demonstrating his organizational and visionary leadership. In 1911, he authored the first written history of WPSD, preserving the school’s legacy and values for future generations.
Dr. Burt remained in office until his death on October 17, 1921, completing 32 years of dedicated service to WPSD. His contributions to deaf education shaped the lives of hundreds of students and helped establish a foundation for academic excellence at the school.
His legacy also continued through his family. His daughter, Elizabeth, was married in the WPSD chapel in 1896 before 200 guests. His son, Dr. James Burt, later served on the WPSD Board of Trustees from 1914 to 1952. In recognition of his exceptional service, the WPSD Alumni Association posthumously awarded Dr. Burt the Distinguished Service Award in 2020, honoring his profound and lasting impact on deaf education in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Dr. Arthur C. Manning
1921 – 1946
1921 – 1946
Dr. Arthur C. Manning was born in Marietta, Georgia, and pursued his higher education at Emory University in Atlanta, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1902. Shortly after graduation, he was appointed a Normal Fellow and Research Assistant in the Department of Articulation at the Columbia Institution for the Deaf (now Gallaudet University) in 1903, beginning his lifelong career in deaf education.
In 1910, Mr. Manning joined the faculty of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf as a teacher. During World War I, from 1918 to 1919, he was called into national service as Chief of the Educational Service at the U.S. Army General Hospital in Cape May, New Jersey, where he oversaw the rehabilitation and education of deafened soldiers.
In 1919, WPSD hired Arthur Manning as its first Assistant Superintendent, while he also taught upper-grade classes in the academic department. Following the death of Superintendent Dr. William Burt in 1921, Mr. Manning was appointed WPSD’s sixth Superintendent, a position he held for 27 years.
Dr. Manning’s tenure spanned an era of tremendous change. He navigated challenges involving the expansion of oral methods, the growth of vocational training, the hardships of the Great Depression, and evolving policies concerning the education of hard-of-hearing students. Despite these challenges, he advanced teacher-training programs, promoted literacy, and encouraged student responsibility. Under his leadership, student government was established, giving students a voice in school affairs.
A strong advocate for youth development, Dr. Manning developed a vibrant Scouting program at WPSD and served as a leader in the East Borough Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Manning received two honorary degrees: a Doctor of Laws from Grove City College in 1939 and a Doctor of Humane Letters from Gallaudet University in 1945. Dr. Manning retired on October 31, 1946, after nearly three decades of leadership at WPSD. He died on June 6, 1960, at the age of 82. That same year, he was inducted into the WPSD Alumni Association Hall of Fame. In 2017, the Alumni Association posthumously honored him with the Rev. John G. Brown Service Award, further recognizing his lasting contributions to WPSD and deaf education.
Dr. Samuel B. Craig
1946 – 1969
1946 – 1969
Dr. Samuel Craig was born in Standford, Kentucky. He enrolled and graduated from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky in 1923. He received a master’s degree from Gallaudet College in 1923. Then he finished his second master’s degree from George Washington University in Washington, DC in 1928.
Sam taught students at Kentucky School for the Deaf in 1923. He transferred to become Professor of Education at Gallaudet University and a principal of Kendall School in Washington, DC in 1925.
Craig agreed with the Board of Trustees in 1945 to become Assistant Superintendent while remaining as Principal at Kendall School until May 31, 1946. He became our seventh superintendent in 1946 until his retirement after 23 years in 1969; his son, William, took over as Superintendent.
“The business executive, the educational philosopher, the accountant, the teacher of teachers, the architect, the dynamic public speaker, the human relations expert, and the maintenance engineer” all through his years as the Superintendent of WPSD.
Dr. Craig received Honorary Degrees of Doctor of Lettes from Gallaudet College (Gallaudet University) and Centre College in 1951. Dr. Sam Craig passed away on August 17, 1987, at the age of 86 in Sarasota, Florida.
Dr. William N. Craig
1969 – 1993
1969 – 1993
Dr. William Craig was born in Washington, D.C. When his father, Sam Craig, became superintendent of WPSD, William grew up on the WPSD campus. He graduated from Edgewood High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Washington and Lee University, followed by a master’s degree in the Education of the Deaf from Gallaudet University. He later earned a Ph.D. in Audiology from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. William Craig began his professional career in education at Gallaudet College (now Gallaudet University) and as a teacher at Kendall School (now Kendall Demonstration Elementary School). He later moved to Oregon, where he served as an assistant professor in the University of Oregon’s College of Education. After returning to Pittsburgh, he became Director of the Graduate Program for Educators of the Deaf in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. William Craig was hired as the eighth superintendent of WPSD, succeeding his father, who retired in 1969. During his 24 years of service, Bill brought many changes and innovations to the WPSD campus, including:
- The Lower School building was converted into a Boys’ Dormitory, while the Boys’ Side of the Main Building was converted into classrooms. A new Girls’ Dormitory was also built.
- New educational programs were introduced, including the Verbotonal System, Language Lab, Special Studies, Open Classrooms, and Instrumental Enrichment.
- The Snack Bar opened.
- The Vocational Building, Laundry Building, Boiler House, Infirmary, and Summer House were demolished. Other buildings were renovated to improve accessibility and meet evolving accessibility standards.
- The Center on Deafness began operations in 1986 and was housed in the Primary Building.
Dr. William Craig retired in 1994 after 24 years of service with WPSD. He passed away on November 6, 2008, at the age of 75, in Atlantic Beach, Florida. “Innovator, scholar, historian, and creative educator
Donald E. Rhoten
1994 – 2016
1994 – 2016
Donald Rhoten was born in Manchester, Maryland. He received a bachelor’s degree from University of Baltimore and two master’s degrees from Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College) and California State University at Northridge.
Donald became a teacher and dormitory supervisor at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind. He got a job as a principal at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. He became Director of Gallaudet University Southeast Regional Center at Flagler College. Then he became Assistant Headmaster at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf. Moving back to Florida, he was offered as a principal at the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.
Donald Rhoten got a job as the ninth Superintendent in 1994 and became the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2009. During his 22 years of service, Don brought many changes and innovations to the WPSD campus, including:
- Applied Studies program completely revamped in 1996 for our special needs students, with focus on education, on-the-job training, and home living skills development.
- Major campus renovations: Auditorium, the Learning Center, Children’s Center and TV Studio
- Replaced Boys’ Dormitory with a new Student Residence
- Added Deaf-friendly state of the art equipment and technology throughout campus.
- Established Office of Outreach in Camp Hill and Preschool Classroom in Hershey
- Added a second WPSD campus in Scranton, which was named The Scranton School for Deaf & Hard of Hearing Children
Donald Rhoten retired in 2016 after 22 years of service.
Dr. Steven E. Farmer
2016 – 2023
2016 – 2023
Dr. Steven Farmer was born in Frederick, Maryland. He attended the Maryland School for the Deaf before graduating from Governor Thomas Johnson High School in 1986. He enrolled at Tennessee Temple University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. He later earned two master’s degrees in educational administration and policy studies and a doctorate in Educational Leadership, all from the University of Tennessee.
Dr. Farmer began his professional career at the Tennessee School for the Deaf, where he served as Director of Student Life from 1999 to 2016. He also served as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Tennessee.
In 2016, Dr. Farmer was hired as the tenth superintendent and CEO of WPSD. He served in that position until his resignation in 2023.
Kevin McDonough
2023 – Current
2023 – Current
Kevin McDonough was born in Canada and moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, in 1979. He graduated from Appleton Xavier High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in December 1991. He continued his education at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, earning a Master of Arts in American History in August 1995. He then earned a second master’s degree, a Master’s in Deaf Education, from the University of Pittsburgh in May 1997.
Kevin began his professional career in 1997 as an itinerant teacher with Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS). In 1999, he became a teacher of Deaf students at the Milwaukee Sign Language School, where he served for six years. In 2005, he became Lead Teacher/Assistant Principal at Foster and Williams High School of the Visual Arts and Communication within MPS. In 2008, he returned to teaching Deaf students.
Kevin moved to Pittsburgh in 2009 to join the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD), where he served as Principal/Assistant Principal. In 2018, he became Director of the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children, which was under WPSD’s administration at the time. He returned to WPSD in 2021 as Chief Academic Officer.
In 2023, WPSD appointed Kevin as Interim Superintendent. Later that year, WPSD announced his appointment as the 11th Superintendent.
Carrie Rain
2023 – current
2023 – Current
Carrie Rain earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Master of Education degree in Education of the Hearing Impaired from the University of Pittsburgh in 1999.
Carrie began her long career at WPSD enthusiastically as a volunteer, Camp Counselor, Student Teacher, and Substitute Teacher from 1998 to 2000. Her dedication and commitment to WPSD led to her continued advancement through various leadership positions:
- Preschool and Kindergarten Teacher (2000-09)
- Principal, Children’s Center, and Elementary School (2009-14)
- Director of Early Childhood Programs (2014-23)
- Executive Director (2023-present)
Carrie has dedicated more than two decades to WPSD, progressing from a volunteer and classroom teacher to Executive Director.
Written by Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974 who spend his time for the research on biographies of Superintendents & CEO at our deaf school. This would not have been possible without his support in our WPSD Alumni Association.