In recognition of unwavering passion, unconditional commitment, and enduring service to the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
List of honorable biography of Distinguished Service, based on chronology date order of the award.
Rev. John G. Brown
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 the deaf, 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, where he was selected as President. In 1876, he authored the school’s first Annual Report. In 1885, the Board appointed him as the school’s fourth Superintendent.
After his retirement from the superintendency, Rev. Brown resumed his role as President of the Board of Trustees, a position he held until his passing on March 4, 1904, at the age of 80. His remarkable service to the school 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.) in 1864. The Alumni Association posthumously honored him with the Distinguished Service Award in 2020.
Dr. William Burt
1889 – 1921
Dr. William N. Burt was born in Vernon, Indiana, and graduated from Hanover College in 1867. A year later, he was invited by former WPSD Superintendent Dr. William McIntire 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, he was appointed the fifth principal of the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (WPSD)—a role later retitled as “superintendent” in 1902. Dr. Burt brought with him a progressive educational philosophy grounded in discipline, communication, and higher learning. He firmly believed that deaf students should not only receive vocational training but also be prepared for college and civic life. Under his leadership, WPSD expanded its academic curriculum and emphasized reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, aiming to provide students with the tools to become independent, educated citizens.
Dr. Burt was a tireless advocate for 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—reaching out to parents, guardians, and prospective students—highlighting the importance of deaf education and building a strong network of support for the school. He also encouraged active correspondence between families and students, believing that literacy and letter writing helped strengthen language development and emotional connection.
During his long tenure, he oversaw significant changes at WPSD. On December 14, 1899, the original school building was destroyed by fire. Dr. Burt played a leading role in the planning and construction of the new school campus in Edgewood, showcasing his organizational and visionary skills. 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, marking 32 years of dedicated service to WPSD. His contributions to deaf education shaped the lives of hundreds of students and established a foundation for academic excellence at the school. His legacy extended through his family: his daughter Elizabeth was married in the WPSD chapel in 1896 before 200 guests, and 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, an honor that reflects the profound and lasting impact he had on deaf education in Pennsylvania and beyond.
Rodeny Danco – Class of 1965
Rodney Danco was born to WPSD parents, Rade and Marie (Rice) Danco. He graduated from Point Park University in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in business management. Since then, Rodney has served as Vice President of Finance for Danco Precision, Inc., a family-owned business near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
He remains active in the Deaf community, regularly attending the Pennsylvania Society for the Advancement of the Deaf (PSAD), National Association of the Deaf (NAD), and Deaf Senior Citizen Conventions.
At WPSD, Rodney was the first alumnus to serve on the Board of Trustees in 1984 and became the school’s first Deaf President in 2002. He served on the board for 22 years, stepping down in 2006.
The Alumni Association honored him with the Distinguished Service Award in 2002, recognizing his unwavering passion, unconditional commitment, and enduring dedication to WPSD. In 2014, he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award for his visionary guidance, outstanding leadership, and selfless service to the Deaf community.
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.
Throughout his career, Dr. Lang received numerous honors, including:
- 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.
Janice Neleigh
Janice Neliegh was hired by WPSD in 1965 as a physical education teacher for girls. Serving as the varsity coach for all girls’ sports, she worked diligently to establish interscholastic opportunities for female athletes.
Under Head Coach Neleigh’s leadership, the girls’ sports programs included:
- Volleyball (1966–1978)
- Basketball (1966–1977)
- Softball (1967)
- Field Hockey (1968)
- Soccer (1973–1976)
- Tennis (1976–1981)
She was also the first advisor of the Girls’ Athletic Association, serving from 1965 to 1991.
Janice retired in 1991 after 26 years of dedicated service. Her sign name was the letter “N” tapped twice on the left side of the chest.
WPSD acknowledges, “The present program of girls’ sports at WPSD owes much to Jan’s relentless advocacy for equal opportunities in athletics.”
Richard “Dick” Starr – 2005
Originally, the kitchen staff at WPSD were employed directly by the school. However, to improve the quality of its food service, WPSD signed a contract with ARA Services, which was the largest food service company in the world before 1976. Richard “Dick” Starr, who had worked for ARA Services for 16 years and gained extensive experience in all aspects of the business, played a significant role during this period.
After a year or two of using ARA Services, WPSD became dissatisfied with the company overall but was impressed with Dick Starr’s dedication and expertise. Recognizing his commitment, WPSD supported him in establishing his own company, Five Starr Services. In 1976, WPSD officially contracted Five Starr Services as its institutional food service provider, and all cafeteria workers became employees of this new company.
At that time, food service operations at WPSD were divided among three distinct dining areas: the Main Dining Room, the Boys’ Dormitory Dining Room, and the Aanarde Dining Room. The company’s name, “Five Starr Services,” was inspired by Dick Starr’s family—his wife Kathy and their three children—reflecting the five members of his household and symbolizing the company’s strong commitment to quality service.
Dick Starr had originally been appointed Director of Food Service in 1967. One memorable event occurred during Halloween when he surprised students by creatively decorating the dining room with an ice sculpture of a witch, a large black pot, corn stalks, hay, and jack-o-lanterns, delighting everyone at dinnertime.
Under Five Starr Services, Dick Starr introduced a structured employment system involving students: boys worked as waiters during all meals and as dishwashers during breakfast and dinner, while girls served as hosts for staff during dinnertime. Over time, however, policy changes shifted these roles to deaf and hearing adults. Five Starr Services remained a committed partner to WPSD, notably providing meals during the Triannual Alumni Reunion. Dick Starr dedicated over 50 years of service to the school, and in recognition of his lasting contributions, the Alumni Association honored him with the Distinguished Service Award in 2005.
Provided by Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974 who spend his time for the research on alumni awards. This would not have been possible without his support in our WPSD Alumni Association.