Robert G. Sanderson Community Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration
Compiled & Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2017
Updated in 2025
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2017
Updated in 2025
Author's Note
I had such a wonderful time working with the Historical Timeline Panels Committee! A big thank you to Diego Acosta, Joene Nicolaisen, and Robin Traveller for being such great collaborators. I'm especially grateful to Diego for inviting me to be part of this fantastic project.
Our mission was to design panels that celebrate our history and pay tribute to remarkable leaders like Robert G. Sanderson and W. David Mortensen. These individuals played a huge role in turning the community center into a welcoming space where people can gather, enjoy activities, and access services in American Sign Language.
The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing proudly displays these panels in its museum area. If you're ever in the neighborhood, please stop by and take a look!
I hope you enjoy reading about our celebration event and browsing through the pictures of our historical panels below!
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
Our mission was to design panels that celebrate our history and pay tribute to remarkable leaders like Robert G. Sanderson and W. David Mortensen. These individuals played a huge role in turning the community center into a welcoming space where people can gather, enjoy activities, and access services in American Sign Language.
The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing proudly displays these panels in its museum area. If you're ever in the neighborhood, please stop by and take a look!
I hope you enjoy reading about our celebration event and browsing through the pictures of our historical panels below!
Enjoy!
Jodi Christel Becker
Celebrating the Sanderson Community
Center's 25th Anniversary
Center's 25th Anniversary
On September 8, 2017, the center celebrated its 25th anniversary. The event drew about 450 Utah Deaf residents who enjoyed games, delicious food, and a captivating performance. The theme of the event was "Blast from the Past," which looked back at the center's rich history. The center's history began in 1946 when a need for a meeting space for Utah's Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals arose. Early pioneers, such as Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the first Deaf Services coordinator in Utah, worked tirelessly in the 1960s to develop a gathering space. The first community center debuted in Bountiful, Utah, in 1983, and the present Sanderson Community Center opened in Taylorsville, Utah, in 1992 with the support of W. David Mortensen, a long-time president of the Utah Association for the Deaf. The celebration was a joyous occasion that will be remembered for years to come.
Approximately 450 Utahns joined the event celebrating with games, dinner, and performance
Visitors can learn about the history of the Sanderson Community Center by viewing the historical timeline panels in the lobby area. Joene Nicolaisen, Diego Acosta, Robin Traveller, and Jodi Christel Becker collaborated to bring these panels to life.
Historical timeline panels of the Sanderson Community Center
Historical Timeline Panels Committee: Jodi Christel Becker, Diego Acosta, Joene Nicolaisen, Robin Traveller
Robert Belshe and his son viewing the historical timeline panels of the Sanderson Community Center
During the celebration, Marilyn Tiller Call
and Others Received Special Recognition
and Others Received Special Recognition
- Marilyn Tiller Call, Director of the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, for her many years of service. She retired in December 2017.
- Mitch Jensen, Certification Program Director of the Utah Interpreter Program, as the longest working employee at the center.
- Jodi Christel Becker and Valerie G. Kinney community members for their dedicated work in compiling the “Utah Deaf History” website.
- W. David Mortensen, 86, an early leader in helping lead efforts to create a community center.
Marilyn Tiller Call receives recognition for her years of service
The Conference Room is Named in Honor of
Marilyn T. Call, Director of the Division of
Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Marilyn T. Call, Director of the Division of
Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
In honor of Marilyn T. Call's tenure as director, the conference room at the Sanderson Community Center has been named the Marilyn T. Call Conference Room. She brought her extensive Capitol Hill expertise and strong political connections to the center, which greatly contributed to its growth. Upon her appointment, she identified the need to expand essential social services. This was a crucial step in ensuring the center could meet rigorous service standards (Sanderson, 2004). Marilyn's commitment to inclusivity was evident in her support for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, whom she assisted with employment applications. She also spearheaded the development of various projects, including outreach and technology, interpreter mentoring and training, and free hearing loss classes, all of which have had a significant impact on the community.
Marilyn's support was crucial in the establishment and expansion of a demonstration lab loaner bank. This innovative initiative empowers Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to test a variety of assistive technology, enabling them to make informed decisions before investing in the one that best suits their needs. Her advocacy also resulted in the provision of funds for the recruitment of American Sign Language-fluent mental health counselors and case managers (Hamilton Relay, June 3, 2011). Additionally, Marilyn's collaborative efforts led to the creation of the Southern Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program's satellite office in St. George, Utah, by securing funding for employment and office space.
Marilyn retired in December 2017, one year after the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was moved to the Department of Workforce Service in 2016. We sincerely appreciate her years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Utah Deaf community.
Author's Another Note
As the website's author, I would like to address two inaccuracies in the historical timeline panels. One of the inaccuracies is the misspelling of W. David Mortensen's name as 'W. Dave Mortensen' instead of 'W. David Mortensen.'
I understand that there is an issue with the historical panel regarding Beth Ann Stewart Campbell's role. The panel mentions her as a 'Program Specialist,' but she was actually the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, from 1985 to 1992. This is supported by the former director's letter, photographs of her in action, and multiple newspaper articles. It's important to correct these inaccuracies and reinstate Beth Ann Stewart Campbell's portrait to its rightful place on the wall, even if it involves some cost. Recognizing and honoring her contributions to the Utah Deaf community is crucial, as she played a significant role in establishing the Sanderson Community Center and its services.
I understand that there is an issue with the historical panel regarding Beth Ann Stewart Campbell's role. The panel mentions her as a 'Program Specialist,' but she was actually the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, from 1985 to 1992. This is supported by the former director's letter, photographs of her in action, and multiple newspaper articles. It's important to correct these inaccuracies and reinstate Beth Ann Stewart Campbell's portrait to its rightful place on the wall, even if it involves some cost. Recognizing and honoring her contributions to the Utah Deaf community is crucial, as she played a significant role in establishing the Sanderson Community Center and its services.
An excerpt from the newspapers serves as evidence of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell serving as Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, from 1985 to 1992
References
Marilyn Call selected for Hamilton Relay 2011 Better Hearing and Speech Month Recognition Award for the State of Utah. June 3, 2011.
Sanderson, Robert G. A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. March 9, 2004.
Sanderson Center 25th Anniversary Celebration. Community Connections with Utah’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Newsletter, October 2017, p. 3 & 4.
Sanderson, Robert G. A Brief History of the Origins of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. March 9, 2004.
Sanderson Center 25th Anniversary Celebration. Community Connections with Utah’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Newsletter, October 2017, p. 3 & 4.
