Gerald "Jerry" Covell, '89

He had just completed an unsuccessful bid for the leadership of the Student Body Government with running mate Bridgetta Bourne when the DPN protest took place. The two naturally took their places alongside incoming SBG president Greg Hlibok and outgoing SBG president Tim Rarus as one of the four student leaders.

After completing his studies in government at Gallaudet, Covell went on to receive a M.A. degree in government and political science from the University of Maryland, College Park. Since 1992, he has been the executive director of the Missouri Commission for the Deaf. Retaining his activist roots, Covell has been integral in advocating for legislation on behalf of deaf people in Missouri. Missouri now has a law requiring that all interpreters be certified, the first of its kind.