The Deaf Representatives Serving
on the Advisory Council for the
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
on the Advisory Council for the
Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Compiled & Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Edited by Bronwyn O’Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2013
Updated in 2026
Edited by Bronwyn O’Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2013
Updated in 2026
Author's Note
I am grateful for the opportunity to have served on the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB). Through that experience, I witnessed firsthand the importance of Deaf representation within educational leadership and advisory bodies.
In 1981, following the death of Ned C. Wheeler, a Deaf representative on the council, a hearing individual was appointed to fill the vacancy. After years of advocacy, W. David "Dave" Mortensen, then president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, successfully promoted the appointment of two Deaf representatives, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Dennis R. Platt, to the council in 1987. Their appointments marked an important step toward ensuring that Deaf perspectives were represented in discussions affecting Deaf education in Utah.
During my tenure on the council, I worked closely with members of the Utah Deaf community and parents of Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Together, we listened to community concerns and advocated for educational opportunities that reflected the needs of Deaf students and their families.
One significant development occurred in 2009 when community members, parents, and advocates worked with legislators to amend House Bill 296 (HB 296), which governed the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed the bill into law on March 25, 2009, and the signing ceremony was held on April 30, 2009. The legislation included provisions that expanded educational options for Deaf students, including greater support for on-campus educational programs.
That same year, community support helped secure the passage of Senate Bill 201 (SB 201), which provided funding for a permanent school facility. Governor Huntsman signed the bill on March 25, 2009, marking another important milestone in Utah Deaf educational history.
My service on the Institutional Council provided a valuable opportunity to participate in efforts that shaped Deaf education in Utah. It also deepened my appreciation for the many individuals who worked for decades to strengthen Deaf representation and educational opportunities within the state.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Utah Deaf community, parents of Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, educators, advocates, and community leaders whose involvement made these accomplishments possible. Their efforts demonstrated the importance of collaboration, civic engagement, and community participation.
I am especially grateful to W. David Mortensen for his advocacy in promoting Deaf representation on the USDB Advisory Council. His efforts helped ensure that Deaf voices would continue to play an important role in discussions affecting Deaf education and services in Utah.
Jodi Christel Becker
In 1981, following the death of Ned C. Wheeler, a Deaf representative on the council, a hearing individual was appointed to fill the vacancy. After years of advocacy, W. David "Dave" Mortensen, then president of the Utah Association of the Deaf, successfully promoted the appointment of two Deaf representatives, Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Dennis R. Platt, to the council in 1987. Their appointments marked an important step toward ensuring that Deaf perspectives were represented in discussions affecting Deaf education in Utah.
During my tenure on the council, I worked closely with members of the Utah Deaf community and parents of Deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Together, we listened to community concerns and advocated for educational opportunities that reflected the needs of Deaf students and their families.
One significant development occurred in 2009 when community members, parents, and advocates worked with legislators to amend House Bill 296 (HB 296), which governed the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Governor Jon Huntsman, Jr. signed the bill into law on March 25, 2009, and the signing ceremony was held on April 30, 2009. The legislation included provisions that expanded educational options for Deaf students, including greater support for on-campus educational programs.
That same year, community support helped secure the passage of Senate Bill 201 (SB 201), which provided funding for a permanent school facility. Governor Huntsman signed the bill on March 25, 2009, marking another important milestone in Utah Deaf educational history.
My service on the Institutional Council provided a valuable opportunity to participate in efforts that shaped Deaf education in Utah. It also deepened my appreciation for the many individuals who worked for decades to strengthen Deaf representation and educational opportunities within the state.
I would like to express my appreciation to the Utah Deaf community, parents of Deaf and hard-of-hearing children, educators, advocates, and community leaders whose involvement made these accomplishments possible. Their efforts demonstrated the importance of collaboration, civic engagement, and community participation.
I am especially grateful to W. David Mortensen for his advocacy in promoting Deaf representation on the USDB Advisory Council. His efforts helped ensure that Deaf voices would continue to play an important role in discussions affecting Deaf education and services in Utah.
Jodi Christel Becker
The Fight for Deaf Representation on the
USDB Institutional Council
USDB Institutional Council
Since 1945, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (USDB) had included Deaf representatives on its advisory board. Following the death of Ned C. Wheeler in 1981, however, the Governor's Advisory Council appointed a hearing individual to fill his seat. The Utah Association for the Deaf (UAD) strongly advocated for the appointment of another Deaf representative, emphasizing the importance of Deaf perspectives in decisions affecting Deaf students and the broader Deaf community. Despite these efforts, the vacancy remained filled by a hearing individual, prompting years of continued advocacy for Deaf representation.
In 1984, three years after Ned Wheeler's death, the UAD asked Governor Scott Matheson to appoint a Deaf person to the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Rather than addressing the request directly, Governor Matheson referred the matter to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The state board responded that it would consider the proposal if a vacancy arose on the council (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1985). Recognizing the significance of the issue, UAD President W. David Mortensen, commonly known as Dave, requested a meeting with G. Leland Burningham, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in February 1984.
In 1984, three years after Ned Wheeler's death, the UAD asked Governor Scott Matheson to appoint a Deaf person to the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. Rather than addressing the request directly, Governor Matheson referred the matter to the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). The state board responded that it would consider the proposal if a vacancy arose on the council (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1985). Recognizing the significance of the issue, UAD President W. David Mortensen, commonly known as Dave, requested a meeting with G. Leland Burningham, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in February 1984.
W. David Mortensen. Photo courtesy of W. David and Shanna Mortensen
Dave sought to ensure that the Utah Deaf community had representation in the decision-making process. In April 1984, Dr. Burningham informed him that the Governor's Advisory Council for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind had been renamed the Institutional Council (Dabling, The Salt Lake Tribune, May 24, 1984). However, no action was taken to appoint a Deaf representative.
On May 23, 1984, Dave filed a formal complaint with the Utah State Board of Education regarding the lack of Deaf representation on the Institutional Council. He expressed concern that a hearing individual had replaced the late Deaf council member, Ned C. Wheeler, and questioned why no Deaf person had been selected to fill the vacancy. In a public statement, he asked:
"There was a Deaf member on the Governor's Council, but after Ned C. Wheeler died, a hearing person was named in his place. Wouldn't you think that a Deaf person should have been appointed to fill the vacancy left by a Deaf member who had passed away?" (Dabling, The Salt Lake Tribune, May 24, 1984).
Dave argued that Deaf individuals possessed firsthand knowledge of the challenges and needs facing the Deaf community and therefore deserved a voice in decisions affecting Deaf education and services. He urged the board to embrace greater inclusion and ensure that Deaf perspectives were represented at the leadership level.
In April 1985, the Institutional Council appointed a hearing individual, rejecting two highly qualified Deaf applicants despite having solicited applications from the Utah Deaf community. The decision sparked widespread frustration. President Mortensen responded by stating:
"What does this mean...? We have returned to our beginnings in 1970, once again experiencing subjugation and marginalization as 'handicapped beings' incapable of participating in the decision-making process for the Deaf community" (Mortensen, UAD Bulletin, June 1985, p. 2).
Many Deaf individuals viewed the decision as another example of their voices being ignored. In response, community members united to raise awareness and intensify their efforts to secure meaningful representation on the council.
The advocacy continued into 1986. In March of that year, the Utah Association for the Deaf sent an official letter to Governor Norm Bangerter and State Superintendent Bernarr Furse requesting the appointment of a Deaf representative to the Institutional Council. Dave again emphasized the importance of Deaf involvement in decisions affecting Deaf students and families. He noted that several qualified Deaf candidates had applied for upcoming vacancies and encouraged continued community advocacy.
Utah Governor Scott Matheson.
Source: Utah History To Go Website
When asked about the issue, Superintendent Furse stated that he could not recall receiving such a request, explaining:
"I'm not aware of such a request. I'm not sure if any of the board members were questioned. I can only say that I receive hundreds of letters."
Darrell McCarty, an associate state superintendent, further commented:
"It's quite difficult to have all of the organizations that believe they should have a voice effectively represented. Everyone has the right to make recommendations" (Auer, The Salt Lake Tribune, August 3, 1986).
Despite these responses, the Utah Deaf community remained steadfast in its efforts. Deaf leaders continued advocating for representation, believing that decisions affecting Deaf students should include the perspectives of Deaf individuals themselves.
Their persistence ultimately led to a significant victory. In 1986, UAD President Mortensen worked with state leaders to secure a statute guaranteeing two Deaf representative seats on the USDB Institutional Council (Bass, UAD Bulletin, November 1999). The first appointees under this provision were Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Dennis R. Platt, who joined the council in 1987.
Since that time, Deaf representatives have served an essential role on the Institutional Council, helping shape policies and programs that directly affect Deaf students. Their advocacy and leadership have helped ensure that educational decisions reflect the needs, experiences, and perspectives of the Deaf community. The successful effort to secure Deaf representation stands as an important milestone in Utah Deaf history and a testament to the power of persistent advocacy and collective action.
"I'm not aware of such a request. I'm not sure if any of the board members were questioned. I can only say that I receive hundreds of letters."
Darrell McCarty, an associate state superintendent, further commented:
"It's quite difficult to have all of the organizations that believe they should have a voice effectively represented. Everyone has the right to make recommendations" (Auer, The Salt Lake Tribune, August 3, 1986).
Despite these responses, the Utah Deaf community remained steadfast in its efforts. Deaf leaders continued advocating for representation, believing that decisions affecting Deaf students should include the perspectives of Deaf individuals themselves.
Their persistence ultimately led to a significant victory. In 1986, UAD President Mortensen worked with state leaders to secure a statute guaranteeing two Deaf representative seats on the USDB Institutional Council (Bass, UAD Bulletin, November 1999). The first appointees under this provision were Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and Dennis R. Platt, who joined the council in 1987.
Since that time, Deaf representatives have served an essential role on the Institutional Council, helping shape policies and programs that directly affect Deaf students. Their advocacy and leadership have helped ensure that educational decisions reflect the needs, experiences, and perspectives of the Deaf community. The successful effort to secure Deaf representation stands as an important milestone in Utah Deaf history and a testament to the power of persistent advocacy and collective action.
Deaf Individuals Who have Served on the
USDB Advisory Council / Institutional Council
USDB Advisory Council / Institutional Council
Ray G. Wenger. Source: FamilySearch.org
Ray G. Wenger, a 1913 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, served on the USDB Governor’s Advisory Council from 1945 to 1968.
Ned C. Wheeler. Photo courtesy of Edith Deininger Wheeler
Ned C. Wheeler, a 1933 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, served on the USDB Governor’s Advisory Council from 1968 to 1981. The Governor’s Advisory Council changed its name to the USDB Institutional Council in 1981. Ned had served as chairman during part of his tenure.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson. Photo courtesy of Barry Sanderson
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a 1936 graduate of the Utah School for the Deaf, served on the USDB Institutional Council from 1987 to 2004. He served as chairman during part of his tenure.
Dennis R. Platt. Photo courtesy of Shirley Hortie Platt
Dennis Platt served on the USDB Institutional Council from 1987 to 1990 and from 1995 to 2008. He had served as chairman during part of his tenure.
Jodi Christel Becker. Photo from the private collection of Jodi Christel Becker
Jodi Christel Becker served on the USDB Institutional Council from 2004 to 2008, representing the Deaf Community in Utah. In 2009, the council was renamed to the USDB Advisory Council. She was reappointed in 2008 and continued her service until 2010. Photo provided by Jodi Christel Becker
Scot Ferre. Courtesy of the Sanderson Community Center
Scot Ferre served on the USDB Advisory Council from 2008 to 2013, representing the Deaf Community in Utah.
Jeff W. Pollock. Photo provided by Jeff W. Pollock
Jeffrey W. Pollock served on the USDB Advisory Council from 2011 to 2013, representing the Deaf Community in Utah.
Dan V. Mathis. Courtesy of the University of Washington
Dan V. Mathis served on the USDB Advisory Council from 2013 to 2016, representing the Deaf Community in Utah.
Erika Smith. Courtesy of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
Erika Smith served on the USDB Advisory Council from 2013 to 2014, representing the Listening and Spoken Language Education.
Jared Allebest. Source: Facebook
Jared Allebest served on the Advisory Council from 2015 to 2025, representing the Listening and Spoken Language Education.
Stephanie Morgan. Source: Facebook
Stephanie Morgan, as a Deaf Education teacher, served on the Advisory Council from 2015 to 2017. She represented the teachers at the Utah School for the Deaf.
Stephanie Morgan, as a Deaf Education teacher, served on the Advisory Council from 2015 to 2017. She represented the teachers at the Utah School for the Deaf.
Philippe Montalette. Photograph by Jodi Christel Becker
Philippe Montalette has served on the Advisory Council since 2016, representing the ASL/English Bilingual Education.
Brooke Budzinski Grossinger. Photo provided by Brooke Budzinski Grossinger
Brooke Budzinski Grossinger has served on the Advisory Council since her 2026 appointment, representing ASL/English Bilingual Education.
From 1945 to 2013, the Deaf community in Utah was represented on the council overseeing the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind by individuals using American Sign Language (ASL). For the first time, Erika Smith, a Deaf member of the Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) community, made history by joining the council. Her addition led to the inclusion of two more representatives from both the LSL and ASL communities.
This USDB Advisory Council webpage is committed to keeping its list of Deaf and hard-of-hearing representatives current as membership evolves. This effort aims to foster collaboration among the diverse communities and ensure that all voices are amplified. This initiative not only enhances representation but also promotes understanding and cooperation among different communication methods. By bringing together individuals from various backgrounds, the council hopes to create a more inclusive environment for all Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
This USDB Advisory Council webpage is committed to keeping its list of Deaf and hard-of-hearing representatives current as membership evolves. This effort aims to foster collaboration among the diverse communities and ensure that all voices are amplified. This initiative not only enhances representation but also promotes understanding and cooperation among different communication methods. By bringing together individuals from various backgrounds, the council hopes to create a more inclusive environment for all Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals.
References
Auer, P. "Deaf Group Criticizes Selection of School Leader." August 3, 1986.
Bass, Barbara. "Honors & Awards." UAD Bulletin, vol. 23, no. 6 (November 1999): 4-6.
Dabling, Bonnie. "Dispute Brewing at Deaf School." The Salt Lake Tribune, May 24, 1984.
Mortensen, Dave. "President's Message." UAD Bulletin, vol. 9, no. 1 (June 1985): 2.
Bass, Barbara. "Honors & Awards." UAD Bulletin, vol. 23, no. 6 (November 1999): 4-6.
Dabling, Bonnie. "Dispute Brewing at Deaf School." The Salt Lake Tribune, May 24, 1984.
Mortensen, Dave. "President's Message." UAD Bulletin, vol. 9, no. 1 (June 1985): 2.
