Date Posted:
06/15/2009
Title:
Christopher Wagner Named NTID's 2009 Distinguished Alumni
Summary:
Reprinted SIGNews article about Chris Wagner's recent honor
Body:
reprinted with permission from SIGNews
Christopher Wagner was recently named the National Technical Institute for the Deaf’s Distinguished Alumni for 2009. Wagner, currently the vice president of marketing for CSDVRS, was honored along with graduates from the seven other colleges at the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y. Distinguished alumni were selected for having performed with distinction in their given professions, in addition to having contributed to worthwhile philanthropic, service, or civic organizations.
Difficult Times
Born deaf due to rubella, Wagner was raised by his widowed grandmother in Oregon. Raised in an oral environment, Wagner did not have the opportunity to develop relationships with neighboring kids due to the fact he commuted daily to the Tucker Maxon Oral School in Portland, Ore.
“It was difficult because I was the only deaf person in the area and did not know any other deaf people throughout my childhood,” said Wagner.
“Being mainstreamed as the only deaf student without any support services was a daunting challenge for many years,” said Wagner. Not having the ability to understand teachers in class combined with limited social interaction with others frustrated the young student – however, Wagner was determined to be successful.
“I spent most of my time reading textbooks and reviewing notes to get through high school,” said Wagner. “I was very fortunate to have a couple of close friends who are hearing, and were sensitive to my needs. We remained friends throughout our high school years and were on the swim team together.”
In his teenage years, Wagner would spend a few months at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, N.Y., where he learned sign language and interacted with other deaf individuals for the first time in his life. From there, it was on to RIT.
“RIT Was Home”
“When I first stepped on the RIT campus and met with many deaf and hard of hearing students who went through the same frustrations during their childhood, I knew I was home,” said Wagner. “My life at RIT has blossomed with so many friends, opportunities and desire to learn many new things. My best memories were meeting so many wonderful friends, faculty and staff members, being part of the Residence Life staff, becoming a brother of Sigma Kappa Tau / Sigma Nu, and getting involved in different organizations.”
Wagner graduated with a degree in social work and took a job in the mental health field in Florida. From there, Wagner took every opportunity to become actively involved in the community and take on leadership roles. He was instrumental in building a 60-bed nursing and rehabilitation facility for deaf and hard of hearing seniors – the first of its kind in Florida.
A Long Journey
Wagner went on to create the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Wagner as the council’s first member and chairperson. Wagner has since served on a number of boards, including the Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, as well as serving as vice president of the National Association of the Deaf, and president of the Florida Association of the Deaf.
“My life is full of surprises,” said Wagner. “It is like a locomotive that never stops. I have taken a long journey where I never thought I would ever end up in. It only brings me pleasure knowing that I can make a difference in our community.”
Wagner currently resides in Tampa Bay, Florida, with his “soul mate, best friend, and wife of 16 years,” Staci Blumenfeld Wagner, along with their two children, Justin and Lauren.