Moods of Silence

About the Book

Willard J. (Will) Madsen, Professor Emeritus, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., is a retired educator of 44 years of active teaching. Born January 24, 1930 on the plains of rural Florence, Kansas, he is the son of the late Niels J. and Mary E. Madsen. Educated in rural Marion County, the Peabody Junior High School, and the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe, he holds a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Education from Gallaudet in 1952 and a Master of Education from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1956. Besides his chosen profession of teaching, Will’s personal interests include: reading, writing, editing, poetry, gardening, cooking, theatre, and travel. Author of two of the first American Sign Language textbooks (intermediate-advanced levels), he is internationally known for his acclaimed poems, You Have to be Deaf to Understand (1971) and NO! (1978) as well as co-editor of Gestuno, International Sign Language (sic, “communication”) of the Deaf (1975). Will was instrumental in helping establish a certification program for Sign Language teachers, (1975) now conducted by (ASLTA), American Sign Language Teacher Association. His awards and honors include: the Special Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre (1972); the Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity Man of the Year Award (1973); private audience with Pope Paul VI in Rome, Italy (1973); British Deaf Association Medal of Honour (1978); Who’s Who in American Education, Classroom Teachers (1989-90); Dean’s Award, School of Communication, Gallaudet (1991); Tower Clock Yearbook Dedication (1992); St. Francis of Assisi Award, Catholic Deaf Center, Archdiocese of Washington, (1998); Professor Emeritus recognition (2,000); and Kansas School for the Deaf Alumni Association 2005 Man of the Year Award. Currently an American Sign Language Consultant/Evaluator, he and his wife Dorothea reside in Lakeland, Florida. They have one daughter, Debbie (deceased) and one son, Lawrence.

About the Author

Willard J. (Will) Madsen, Professor Emeritus, Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C., is a retired educator of 44 years of active teaching. Born January 24, 1930 on the plains of rural Florence, Kansas, he is the son of the late Niels J. and Mary E. Madsen. Educated in rural Marion County, the Peabody Junior High School, and the Kansas School for the Deaf in Olathe, he holds a Bachelor of Arts with Distinction in Education from Gallaudet in 1952 and a Master of Education from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, in 1956. Besides his chosen profession of teaching, Will’s personal interests include: reading, writing, editing, poetry, gardening, cooking, theatre, and travel. Author of two of the first American Sign Language textbooks (intermediate-advanced levels), he is internationally known for his acclaimed poems, You Have to be Deaf to Understand (1971) and NO! (1978) as well as co-editor of Gestuno, International Sign Language (sic, “communication”) of the Deaf (1975). Will was instrumental in helping establish a certification program for Sign Language teachers, (1975) now conducted by (ASLTA), American Sign Language Teacher Association. His awards and honors include: the Special Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Frederick H. Hughes Memorial Theatre (1972); the Alpha Sigma Pi Fraternity Man of the Year Award (1973); private audience with Pope Paul VI in Rome, Italy (1973); British Deaf Association Medal of Honour (1978); Who’s Who in American Education, Classroom Teachers (1989-90); Dean’s Award, School of Communication, Gallaudet (1991); Tower Clock Yearbook Dedication (1992); St. Francis of Assisi Award, Catholic Deaf Center, Archdiocese of Washington, (1998); Professor Emeritus recognition (2,000); and Kansas School for the Deaf Alumni Association 2005 Man of the Year Award. Currently an American Sign Language Consultant/Evaluator, he and his wife Dorothea reside in Lakeland, Florida. They have one daughter, Debbie (deceased) and one son, Lawrence.