Sanderson Center 25th Anniversary Celebration
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2017
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2017
On September 8, 2017, the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing celebrated its 25th anniversary. Approximately 450 Utahns joined the event celebrating with games, dinner, and performance.
The theme of the event was called “Blast from the Past” where the community center reviewed its rich history dating back to 1946 when a need for a meeting place was recognized for those who were deaf and hard of hearing in Utah. Since then, early leaders worked hard in the 1960s to establish a meeting place including Dr. Robert G. Sanderson who was the first deaf coordinator in Utah. In 1983, the first community center was inaugurated in Bountiful, and the current Sanderson Community Center in Taylorsville was opened in 1992.
The theme of the event was called “Blast from the Past” where the community center reviewed its rich history dating back to 1946 when a need for a meeting place was recognized for those who were deaf and hard of hearing in Utah. Since then, early leaders worked hard in the 1960s to establish a meeting place including Dr. Robert G. Sanderson who was the first deaf coordinator in Utah. In 1983, the first community center was inaugurated in Bountiful, and the current Sanderson Community Center in Taylorsville was opened in 1992.
Approximately 450 Utahns joined the event celebrating with games, dinner, and performance
Historical timeline panels of the Sanderson Community Center were exhibited in the lobby area where people could discover the history of how the community center came to be. Joene Nicolaisen, Diego Acosta, Robin Traveller and Jodi Becker Kinner worked together to make historical panels a reality.
Historical timeline panels of the Sanderson Community Center
Historical Timeline Panels Committee: Jodi Becker Kinner, Diego Acosta, Joene Nicolaisen, Robin Traveller
Robert Belshe and his son viewing the historical timeline panels of the Sanderson Community Center
Marilyn Call receives recognition for her years of service
At the event, special recognition was also given to the following people at the celebration:
- Marilyn T. 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 B. Kinner and Valerie G. Kinney community members for their dedicated work in compiling the “Utah Deaf History & Culture” website.
- W. David Mortensen, 86, an early leader in helping lead efforts to create a community center.
The conference room inside the Sanderson Community Center has been named Marilyn T. Call Conference Room in honor of her longtime service as director. She has had years of experience on the Capitol Hill and good relationships with many legislators. When she was hired, she realized there was much work to be done to expand needed social services so the division could match the great caliber of the building (Sanderson, 2004).
In her role as director of the Sanderson Community Center, Marilyn continued to expand or add divisions and services. She assisted individuals who were deaf or hard of hearing in applying for employment opportunities. She supported the creation of various programs that included outreach and technology, interpreter mentoring and training, and the development of free classes related to hearing loss.
In her role as director of the Sanderson Community Center, Marilyn continued to expand or add divisions and services. She assisted individuals who were deaf or hard of hearing in applying for employment opportunities. She supported the creation of various programs that included outreach and technology, interpreter mentoring and training, and the development of free classes related to hearing loss.
Marilyn supported the development and expansion of a demonstration lab loaner bank, which allows deaf and hard of hearing individuals to try out various assistive technologies before they purchase the device that suits them. She also fought for funding to hire mental health counselors and case managers fluent in American Sign Language (Hamilton Relay, June 3, 2011). Moreover, Marilyn helped to obtain funding for positions and office space to establish the satellite office known as Southern Utah Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program in St. George, Utah.
One year after the Sanderson Community Center was moved under the Department of Workforce Service in 2016, Marilyn retired in December 2017. Her years of leadership, devotion, and commitment are greatly appreciated among the Utah Deaf community.
Marilyn T. Call's biography can be found in the "Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women" webpage.
One year after the Sanderson Community Center was moved under the Department of Workforce Service in 2016, Marilyn retired in December 2017. Her years of leadership, devotion, and commitment are greatly appreciated among the Utah Deaf community.
Marilyn T. Call's biography can be found in the "Biographies of Prominent Utah Deaf Women" webpage.
For a closer look, you can view the historical timeline panels of the Sanderson Community Center. Enjoy!
- Historical Timeline Panel 1940s-1960s
- Historical Timeline Panel 1970s-1980s
- Historical Timeline Panel 1990s
- Historical Timeline Panel 2000s
- Historical Timeline Panel 1940s-1960s
- Historical Timeline Panel 1970s-1980s
- Historical Timeline Panel 1990s
- Historical Timeline Panel 2000s
Those who missed the celebration can view the "Sanderson Center 25th Anniversary Celebration" Program Book
Bibliography
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.
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.