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Chowan Student s Hope
A Voice in a Silent World
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To Teach Deaf Is Ambition
James Engle, a Chowan College
sophomore who is known as “Tiny,” is a
very active member of the “hearing
world” but is vitally interested in those
less fortunate individuals who live in a
world of silence. Even though “Tiny” is
completing his work for the Associate
Degree in Graphic Arts, he is preparing
himself for a life’s work in helping deaf
people, and has already accumulated a
vast amount of experience in this area.
The future teacher of the deaf became
interested in studying the sign language
when he was thirteen years old and at
his parents’ home in Morganton, North
Carolina. He states that he had always
been fascinated by those persons who
“talked with their hands,” and as fate
would have it, a totally deaf young boy
moved into James’ neighborhood. The
two quickly became friends and the
neighbor’s mother took time from her
busy schedule to teach James the basic
alphabet, and enabled him to talk with
her son by the very slow method of
“spelling” every word.
Very slowly, James began to learn the
“signs” and was able to talk more and
quicker with his new-found friend. Soon
lit.
afterwards, he began to make frequent
trips to the nearby North Carolina
School for the Deaf, where he enjoyed
talking with deaf students, and learning
more sign language.
Still Learning
James is quick to testify that he is not
proficient in “signing.” He states, “I
still can’t speak the entire language, but
I spend every available minute in study
and practice.”
The summer months, between school
terms, is a rewarding experience for the
likeable young student. He looks for
ward to his time off from academic
studies, and spends his vacation time in
a Cultural Heritage Program and acts
as an interpreter for the teachers of the
program. He hopes to receive his State
Interpreter’s License under the new
universal sign language which is being
introduced in the United States during
the coming summer months.
James recently spoke in student
assembly for Chowan College students,
and explained his interest and work with
deaf persons. While speaking, he
“signed” the same message to
The future
teacher for the
deaf operates a
photocomposition
machine in graphic
arts to complete
class project.
James "signs" a message
demonstrate conversational methods
with the deaf.
The North Carolina native is a popular
student on Chowan’s campus, and
serves as manager of the college
basketball team. He carries a full
academic load with courses in graphic
arts, as well as the usual liberal arts
subjects.
ToWorkatNCSD
After graduation from Chowan next
May, “Tiny” will become a Dormitory
Teacher at the North Carolina School
for the Deaf. He also hopes to work with
the deaf students in the NCSD Graphic
Arts Department, which is headed by
another former Chowan College
student, Harold Brown. Brown was an
instructor in Chowan’s printing school
prior to accepting the position at
Morganton.
Quite frequently, deaf students are
accepted for summer instruction in the
Chowan College School of Graphic Arts.
James states “it is a dream of mine to
return to this college and serve as an
interpreter for those deaf persons who
wish to further education in graphic
arts. I can think of no better way to
spend a lifetime, than to help those who
live in a world of silence.”
James has hopes and plans to receive
his Bachelor’s Degree in Special
Education for the Deaf at either Atlantic
Christian College, Lenoir-Rhyne
College, or Appalachian State
University. Whichever institution he
chooses, he will do well and rank as an
outstanding student, because of his
determination to succeed. He states that
“after working closely with deaf people,
who have lost so much . . . my small'
handicaps and problems become ob
scure.”
For December, 1971
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