Distinguished Student Alumni Home
Diandra Forrest
![Diandra Forrest](/apps/download/87EJ5D3TeLmUSmiaE3tq1MQwHydA9f5dnl8BKFvYapge7OKR.jpg/Tinsel%2BTokyo.jpg)
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Diandra ForrestShe was teased as a child in public school for her unconventional beauty. Approximately one person in 17,000 is born with albinism, while black people with albinism are even more rare. She came to the NYI in the 5th grade and found an environment, where she could thrive and work on fulfilling her dreams.
...more on Diandra here
Valerie Capers
Valerie Capers was born May 24, 1935. She is an African American musician and educator. Valerie Capers was born in New York City and received her early schooling at the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind. She graduated as the class of 1953 valedictorian. She was the first blind graduate of the Juilliard School...more on Valerie here
After graduating from grammar school, Ed Lucas attended the New York Institute for the Blind where he organized a baseball club called the Diamond Dusters. Major League stars such as Jackie Robinson and Lindy McDaniel visited the school to talk baseball and to read the sports pages to the students. Lucas enrolled in Seton Hall University, earning a degree in communications in 1962. He was one of the first blind students in the country to regularly attend classes with a Seeing Eye Dog.
Since 1964, Ed Lucas has worked as a reporter/broadcaster, covering the New York area sports scene. On April 21, 2015, Simon & Schuster and Derek Jeter Publishing released Ed's autobiography, "Seeing Home: The Ed Lucas Story." ...more on Ed here.
Los Ciegos Del Barrio
![Los Ciegos del Barrio](/apps/download/EUARcfmormuVEKIldinQ3JksrKthuCoRFPLFijCZSV4L9v7A.jpg/ciegos.jpg)
Alvin Suarez - Band Director, Lead Guitar
Derek Suarez - Bass, Keyboards, Percussion, Most lead vocals
Machete (Arnaldo Vargas) - Keyboards, Harmonica, Accordion, Percussion and Lead Vocals
John J. Boyer
![John J. Boyer](/apps/download/3A9iKF5lvE02xtu2J61vy77fZGnY1Xvl2K9j71JHWRBbQmfZ.jpg/john-j-boyer-photo.jpg)
Mr. Boyer was recently honored at the 26th Annual International Technology & Persons with Disabilities Conference (CSUN) sponsored by California State University at Northridge. He was recognized for his pioneering work on open source software development for assistive technologies. During the panel discussion Mr. Boyer called for experienced Java programmers and technical writers to join him in his work on the BrailleBlaster project.
Robert H. Whitstock
![Robert H. Whitstock](/apps/download/i4TRYqAKbkkzxkxxt9o6hX6zEw11MhV7ZgpDtWaDiJIJefK5.jpg/whitstock_small.jpg)
Robert H. Whitstock (1930-1998) was born in New York City and attended the New York Institute for the Education of the Blind. He is an inductee to the American Printing House for the Blind's The Hall of Fame for Leaders and Legends of the Blindness Field. It is dedicated to preserving, honoring, and promoting the tradition of excellence manifested by the specific individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame and through the history of outstanding services provided to people who are blind or visually impaired.
Irv Bentsen
Irv Bentsen Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Distinguished Faculty Award, 1998