Kenneth Burdett
School of the Deaf
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2011
Updated in 2021
Published in 2011
Updated in 2021
Kenneth C. Burdett
History of the Naming of the School
On August 23, 2011, the ASL/English Bilingual program at the Ogden Campus was officially named in honor of Kenneth C. Burdett, known as "KB" because of his long connection with the Utah School for the Deaf (USD).
USD Associate Superintendent Trena Roueche had previously determined that the USD North Division program should be given a special name. She and others in the program believed that using the name of a Deaf person would help students build a connection to Deaf culture and community.
Michelle Tanner, a teacher at the time at the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, directed Trena to Jodi Becker Kinner, a community historian, for assistance in researching the names of notable Deaf Utahns. Excited with the prospect of naming the USD North Division after a deaf person, Jodi shared the news with her father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth's. He asked, "Why not Kenneth C. Burdett?" Thrilled with this suggestion, Jodi immediately recommended that Trena put his name on the ballot.
Continuing the naming process, Kenneth C. Burdett, Henry C. White, and Elizabeth Wood were picked from among the many suggestions to be presented to the USD community for a vote. These individuals were chosen with input from USD administration, parents, and students in the past and present. Each was picked for the impact they have made on Deaf students' education in Utah. KB received the most votes after all of the votes were counted.
USD Associate Superintendent Trena Roueche had previously determined that the USD North Division program should be given a special name. She and others in the program believed that using the name of a Deaf person would help students build a connection to Deaf culture and community.
Michelle Tanner, a teacher at the time at the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf, directed Trena to Jodi Becker Kinner, a community historian, for assistance in researching the names of notable Deaf Utahns. Excited with the prospect of naming the USD North Division after a deaf person, Jodi shared the news with her father-in-law, Kenneth L. Kinner, a former student of Kenneth's. He asked, "Why not Kenneth C. Burdett?" Thrilled with this suggestion, Jodi immediately recommended that Trena put his name on the ballot.
Continuing the naming process, Kenneth C. Burdett, Henry C. White, and Elizabeth Wood were picked from among the many suggestions to be presented to the USD community for a vote. These individuals were chosen with input from USD administration, parents, and students in the past and present. Each was picked for the impact they have made on Deaf students' education in Utah. KB received the most votes after all of the votes were counted.
Kenneth C. Burdett - 1929 Utah School for the Deaf Senior
Kenneth L. Kinner
Kenneth L. Kinner, a 1954 USD alumnus and former student of Kenneth C. Burdett, is credited with the thoughtful recommendation, as Kenneth C. Burdett had devoted himself to the USD for many years.
Kenneth worked at the school for four decades, from 1934 to 1974. He also spent fifty-two years at the USD as a student, boy's supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator.
Kenneth was honored with a Plaque Hanging Ceremony on September 29, 2011 at the Utah School for the Deaf. Ronald and JoAnn, Kenneth's two children, shared heartfelt memories of their father. Ronald's wife, Joyanne, shared same sentiment. The plague, as well as a portrait of Kenneth, are now on display at the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf's hallway. His name will be remembered for a long time (Kinner, UAD Bulletin, December 2011).
Kenneth worked at the school for four decades, from 1934 to 1974. He also spent fifty-two years at the USD as a student, boy's supervisor, head basketball coach, athletic director, teacher, printing instructor, and curriculum coordinator.
Kenneth was honored with a Plaque Hanging Ceremony on September 29, 2011 at the Utah School for the Deaf. Ronald and JoAnn, Kenneth's two children, shared heartfelt memories of their father. Ronald's wife, Joyanne, shared same sentiment. The plague, as well as a portrait of Kenneth, are now on display at the Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf's hallway. His name will be remembered for a long time (Kinner, UAD Bulletin, December 2011).
Kenneth's Devotion to the
Utah School for the Deaf Throughout His Life
Utah School for the Deaf Throughout His Life
Kenneth, Gallaudet College, 1929-1934.
Dr. Jay J. Campbell, Deputy Superintendent of the Utah State Office of Education and an enthusiastic supporter of the deaf, delivered Kenneth's keynote address at the Utah Association for the Deaf's 25th Biennial Convention in 1973. (UAD Bulletin, June 1973; Ronald & Joyanne Burdett, personal communication, 2011). This was something Kenneth and his students were well aware of. Kenneth has always embraced and exhibited this philosophy throughout his career through his actions.
Kenneth contributed USD with unselfish devotion throughout his long and successful career. He not only worked at USD for four decades, from 1934 to 1974, but he also spent fifty-two years at the school in various capacities, including as a student, Boy's Supervisor, Head Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Teacher, Printing Instructor, and Curriculum Coordinator. He was also a member of the Utah Association for the Deaf, the National Fraternal Society for the Deaf, and the Golden Spike Athletic Club for the Deaf, among other organizations (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974).
Kenneth will be remembered as an inspiring leader who believed in each student's ability to grow, for his unwavering support for student athletics, and for his profound affection for his students (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974). (Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2006).
Kenneth was also recognized as a brilliant teacher and coach who inspired his students and everyone he came into contact with (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
Kenneth will be remembered as an inspiring leader who believed in each student's ability to grow, for his unwavering support for student athletics, and for his profound affection for his students (The Ogden Standard-Examiner, May 23, 1974). (Kenneth L. Kinner, personal communication, 2006).
Kenneth was also recognized as a brilliant teacher and coach who inspired his students and everyone he came into contact with (Dr. Robert Sanderson & Valerie Kinney, personal communication, July 8, 2011).
BIOGRAPHY
Here is a link to Kenneth C. Burdett's biography for further information.
Kenneth C. Burdett - USD Curriculum Coordinator, 1968
USD Teachers and Administrators. The Utah Eagle, May 1938
Teachers, principal, and superintendent of the Utah School for the Deaf assembled on the steps of the Main Building, 1947. UAD Bulletin, Summer 1969. Kenneth C. Burdett is on the right side of the second row
Kenneth C. Burdett standing on the back row on the left side, 1950s
Kenneth and his students, 1953-54
Kenneth teaching math, 1960
____, Kenneth Burdett, Kenneth Kinner, 1950s
Kenneth Burdett with his students goofing around, 1940s
Kenneth's professional life spans 1934 until 1974
Kenneth teaching algebra, 1954
____, Eleanor Kay Kinner, Kenneth Burdett, Kenneth Kinner, ____, _____, 1953-54
Kenneth and his printing students, 1955. First Row L-R: Ronald Forbush, Rollin Jones, Robert Bonnell, Max Hardy. Second Row L-R: Jay Christensen, Keith Stewart, Roy Milburn, Lynn Losee, Raymond Valencia. Back Row L-R: Tommy Lewis, Von Jones, Jackie Imhoff, Kenneth Burdett, Bruce Harvey
Kenneth setting up the printing machine
Kenneth C. Burdett and his M-Men basketball team of the Ogden Deaf Branch, late 1940s
Students went boating with Kenneth and Afton Burdett, Deaf teachers at
Pineview Reservoir, 1953. Standing L-R: Kay Kinner, Marion Brown,
Bruce Harvey, Dixie Lee Larsen, Afton Burdett, Kenneth Burdett, Max
Hardy, Donna Mae Dekker, Leon Curtis, Von Jones, Lawana Simmons.
Sitting L-R: Kenneth Kinner and Ronald Burdett
Kenneth C. Burdett at the 1976 Utah School for the Deaf reunion
Ron, his wife, Joyanne and his sister, JoAnn at the dedication of the new Kenneth Burdett School of the Deaf
A Slideshow of Kenneth C. Burdett's
Honoring Ceremony
September 29, 2011
Honoring Ceremony
September 29, 2011
Photos taken by Jodi Becker Kinner