Robert G. Sanderson Community Center's 25th
Anniversary Celebration
Compiled & Written by Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2017
Updated in 2024
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2017
Updated in 2024
The Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing celebrated its 25th anniversary on September 8, 2017. The event drew about 450 Utah Deaf residents who enjoyed games, food, and a performance.
The event theme was "Blast from the Past." It featured a look back at the community center's rich history, which began in 1946, when a need for a meeting space for Utah's Deaf and hard of hearing individuals came to light. Early pioneers, such as Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the first Deaf 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.
The event theme was "Blast from the Past." It featured a look back at the community center's rich history, which began in 1946, when a need for a meeting space for Utah's Deaf and hard of hearing individuals came to light. Early pioneers, such as Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, the first Deaf 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.
Visitors could learn about the center's history by viewing the historical timeline panels from the Sanderson Community Center in the lobby area. Joene Nicolaisen, Diego Acosta, Robin Traveller, and Jodi Becker Kinner cooperated to make historical panels a reality.
At the celebration, special recognition was also offered to the following individuals, particularly Marilyn T. Call
- 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 Becker Kinner 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.
In honor of Marilyn T. Call's length of service as director, the conference room at the Sanderson Community Center has been named the Marilyn T. Call Conference Room. She has extensive Capitol Hill expertise and strong ties to several politicians. Upon her initial appointment, she discovered significant work was required to broaden essential social services, ensuring the division could meet rigorous service standards (Sanderson, 2004).
During her tenure as director, Marilyn played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the Sanderson Community Center. Her commitment to inclusivity was evident in her support for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, assisting them with employment applications. She also spearheaded the development of various projects, including outreach and technology, interpreter mentoring and training, and free hearing loss classes.
During her tenure as director, Marilyn played a pivotal role in the growth and development of the Sanderson Community Center. Her commitment to inclusivity was evident in her support for Deaf and hard of hearing individuals, assisting them with employment applications. She also spearheaded the development of various projects, including outreach and technology, interpreter mentoring and training, and free hearing loss classes.
Marilyn supported the establishment and expansion of a demonstration lab loaner bank, which allows Deaf and hard of hearing individuals to test out a variety of assistive technology before investing in the one that best meets their needs. She also advocated for funds to hire American Sign Language-fluent mental health counselors and case managers (Hamilton Relay, June 3, 2011). Marilyn additionally collaborated to establish 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 deeply appreciate her years of dedication, leadership, and commitment to the Utah Deaf community.
Corrections to the Errors
in the Historical Timeline Panels
in the Historical Timeline Panels
Jodi Becker Kinner, the website's author, 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.'
Another oversight on the panel is the job description of Beth Ann Campbell as "Program Specialist. In reality, she served as the Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf from 1985 to 1992. She was appointed director after Dr. Robert G. Sanderson retired in 1985. A letter to the former director clarified Beth Ann's job title. The pictures also confirm her job title. Although the cost of correcting the errors is a concern, I hope to rectify these two inaccuracies and restore Beth Ann Campbell's portrait to its rightful location on the wall. In addition, a misunderstanding of her job title led to the removal of her portrait twice in the Marilyn T. Call Conference Room. We, the Utah Deaf community, owe much to Beth Ann's dedication and contribution, and the Sanderson Community Center's services today would not have happened without her.
Another oversight on the panel is the job description of Beth Ann Campbell as "Program Specialist. In reality, she served as the Director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf from 1985 to 1992. She was appointed director after Dr. Robert G. Sanderson retired in 1985. A letter to the former director clarified Beth Ann's job title. The pictures also confirm her job title. Although the cost of correcting the errors is a concern, I hope to rectify these two inaccuracies and restore Beth Ann Campbell's portrait to its rightful location on the wall. In addition, a misunderstanding of her job title led to the removal of her portrait twice in the Marilyn T. Call Conference Room. We, the Utah Deaf community, owe much to Beth Ann's dedication and contribution, and the Sanderson Community Center's services today would not have happened without her.
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.
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.