American Sign Language at Lee

Those who sit in the balcony during Chapel may notice American Sign Language interpreters, some of whom are deaf themselves and others who are interested in the language and culture surrounding it. ASL is a unique community at Lee that connects through a club, courses, a Global Perspectives trip, and more.

Lee University has had ASL classes for 30 years. From sign language classes to ASL Club, students can earn their foreign language credit and dive deeper into the culture behind ASL.

Course offerings include options like Intro to American Sign Language. Because of the challenges of learning a “hands-on” language as opposed to written or spoken languages, Lee offers ASL tutoring at The Hub.

Junior Abigail Wooley minors in Deaf Studies and acts as an ASL teacher’s assistant. Wooley has dual enrolled in sign language classes since high school and firmly believes in the importance of the program. 

“In Benevolence, it talks about reaching people well, and the ASL people are very much all about that,” Wooley said. “The world is a hearing world, and for a lot of deaf kids, they may not even have access to a language for a lot longer than other kids.”

There is also an ASL Club. At weekly meetings, students gather to chat, learn signs, and play games.

Senior Grace Kitelynn chose ASL as her foreign language credit and has attended several ASL performances.

“The community aspect of ASL is very surprising. It actually really brings people together that aren't in the same disciplines,” Kitelynn said. “There’s definitely a really strong community.”

Another way that students can get involved in ASL is through the Jamaica Deaf Studies Global Perspectives trip. It includes seven credits toward the Deaf Studies minor, and suits ASL students well, as Jamaican Sign Language (JSL) is very similar to ASL. Students are able to connect with the culture by interpreting in schools and churches, working hand-in-hand with the Caribbean Christian Centre for the Deaf.

There are many opportunities to get involved. Lee students and faculty are encouraged to support the ASL community as they fellowship and praise the Lord in their own unique way.

There will be an interest meeting for the Jamaica Deaf Studies trip on September 14 at 6:26 p.m., in Vest 305. The ASL club meets each Monday at 6:26 pm, in the Vest Building’s Lecture Hall.

The next ASL praise night will be on Sept. 14 in Vest 305. There will be a special performance in Conn Center Chapel on Oct. 29 and a Christmas program on Nov. 30 in the Cornerstone Chapel.