WPSD Alumni Association

Distinguished Service

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

Rev. J. G. Brown
1885 – 1889
  • At WPSD
    • Founder of our School in 1869
    • Organized a Board of Trustees in 1871
    • President of the Board of Trustee (1871-85 & 1889-1904)
    • Written First Annual Report in 1876
    • Our fourth Superintendent (1885-89)
    • Retired in the spring of 1889
    • Charter Member (1871-1904)
  • After his retirement as Superintendent, he returned his post as a president of the Board of Trustees until his death on March 4, 1904 at the advanced age of 80 years
  • His longest service to our school as Charter member from 1871 to 1904 (33 years)

Dr. William Burt

William N. Burt
1889 – 1921
  • At WPSD
    • Our fifth Superintendent (1889-1921)
    • Encouraged the students to pursue college education and he sought financial support from the government
    • Wrote thousands of letters to the parents or related to the recruitment of new students and asked parents to write letters to their children and also encouraged the pupils to write letters to their parents
    • Witnessed two different schools; One was burned down on December 14, 1899 and the other one was at Dr. Burt’s skill as a builder
    • Written First WPSD History in 1911
  • Died on October 17, 1921 during his last term of office in Edgewood
  • Thirty-two years of his life (1889-1921)
  • Received the Distinguished Service Award in 2020

Rodeny Danco – Class of 1965

  • Born to the WPSD parents of Rade ’34 and Marie (Rice) ’41* Danco
  • Graduated in 1965
  • At WPSD
    • First alumnus to serve on the Board of the Trustees (1984-2006)
    • First Deaf President of the WPSD Board of Trustees (2002-06)
  • Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
  • Received the Outstanding Board Member at WPSD in 1996
  • Received the Outstanding Alumni Award at WPSD in 1996
  • Receive the Distinguished Service Award in 2002
  • Received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2014

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

  • Hired a physical education teacher for the girl
    • Teacher (1965-91)
  • Varsity Coach, tried to find some interscholastic sports for girls and all sports under head coach except basketball:
    • Volleyball (1966-1978)
    • Basketball (1966-1977)
    • Softball in 1967
    • Field Hockey in 1968
    • Soccer (1973-1976)
    • Tennis (1976-1981)
  • First Advisor of the Girls’ Athletic Association (1965-91)
  • Retired in 1991 after 26 years of service
  • WPSD quotes: “The present program of girls’ sports at WPSD owes much to Jan’s relentless advocacy of equal opportunities in sports”

Richard “Dick” Starr – 2005

  • Director of Food Service (1967-2018)
    • Hired boys as waiters during breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the students
      • Policy changed requiring hire the deaf and hearing adults to do the work
    • Hired girls to host the staff although dinnertime only
      • Policy changed requiring hire the deaf and hearing adults to do the work
    • Hired boys for the dishwasher during breakfast and dinner
      • Policy changed requiring hire the deaf and hearing adults to do the work
    • Always willing to serve the meals during the Alumni Reunion
  • Served Five Starr Service over 50 years
  • Received 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.