The Directors of the
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center
of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Compiled & Written by Jodi Christel Becker
Published in 2018
Updated in 2023 & 2025
Published in 2018
Updated in 2023 & 2025
Author's Note
First, before I explain the list of directors who administer the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, I would like to address the lack of representation in the Marilyn Tiller Call Conference Room and then highlight the directors of the community center for the deaf. The Deaf Center has twice removed the portrait of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell despite clear evidence of her role as director. We honor her legacy for her years of service as an interpreter for Deaf leaders Dr. Robert G. Sanderson and W. David Mortensen, whose work she supported in advocating for the center's funding. We strongly request that her portrait be restored, as it represents our gratitude and respect for her dedication. The restoration of her portrait is not just a formality but a pressing need to acknowledge her invaluable contributions. Without Beth Ann, the Utah Deaf community would not have access to the vital services provided by the Sanderson Community Center. Her steadfast loyalty and tireless efforts have paved the way for countless individuals to receive the support they need. Restoring her portrait is a matter of urgent importance that would honor her memory and inspire future generations to continue her legacy of advocacy and service.
An excerpt from the newspapers indicates that Beth Ann Stewart Campbell served as the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, from 1985 to 1992, as shown below. Her tenure was marked by significant achievements and a profound impact on the Utah Deaf community. During this time, she worked diligently to enhance the lives of the Utah Deaf community by providing social and recreational activities, vital resources, outreach programs, and educational opportunities. Her innovative initiatives not only improved access to essential services but also fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment among Deaf individuals and the broader Utah Deaf community, leaving a lasting impact on our society. I believe that the restoration of her portrait should recognize and celebrate this impactful tenure.
Thank you for your attention and understanding!
Jodi Christel Becker
An excerpt from the newspapers indicates that Beth Ann Stewart Campbell served as the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, from 1985 to 1992, as shown below. Her tenure was marked by significant achievements and a profound impact on the Utah Deaf community. During this time, she worked diligently to enhance the lives of the Utah Deaf community by providing social and recreational activities, vital resources, outreach programs, and educational opportunities. Her innovative initiatives not only improved access to essential services but also fostered a sense of belonging and empowerment among Deaf individuals and the broader Utah Deaf community, leaving a lasting impact on our society. I believe that the restoration of her portrait should recognize and celebrate this impactful tenure.
Thank you for your attention and understanding!
Jodi Christel Becker
An excerpt from the newspapers shows that Beth Ann Stewart Campbell was the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah, from 1985 to 1992.
The Following Outlines the
Order from the Directors
Order from the Directors
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a Deaf individual, and Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), began their journey as the director of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf (UCCD) in Bountiful, Utah. Dr. Sanderson's passionate commitment is evident in his various roles, from rehabilitation counselor to coordinator and director. His significant contributions have earned him the 'Father of Vocational Rehabilitation' title within the Utah Deaf community.
Under Beth Ann Stewart Campbell's leadership, the services at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf expanded significantly, leading to the establishment of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) in 1988. This division marked a new era in the provision of services to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and is housed at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah.
In 1989, the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing appointed Gene Stewart, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and vocational rehabilitation counselor, as its Division Director. This position reported to the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. Within this organization, there were two key roles: the Division Director, responsible for overseeing the division's overall operations and strategic direction, and the Director of the Community Center, who managed the day-to-day operations of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf.
Three months before the Utah Community Center for the Deaf relocated to Taylorsville, Utah, in June 1992, the organization experienced a significant change by establishing a new position: program director. This decision, noted in March 1992, was prompted by the retirement of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, who was serving as the director at the time. Marilyn Tiller Call, a hard-of-hearing individual and the former executive director of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities, applied for the position (Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 15, 2023).
Beth Ann Stewart Campbell officially retired on March 13, 1992, citing several reasons for her decision. These included her lack of a college degree, insufficient support from her previous supervisor, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, who had also retired as the executive director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and a general lack of support from male individuals in positions of authority (Campbell, UAD Bulletin, March 1992; Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, December 7, 2023).
After Beth Ann's retirement, the director position was reclassified to program director, which helped clarify roles and responsibilities within the organization. Marilyn Tiller Call, who assumed the role of program director, contributed her fresh perspective and valuable experience, further enhancing the organization's operations.
Gene Stewart and Rusty Wales, a Deaf individual, directed the Utah Community Center for the Deaf under the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Marilyn Tiller Call was later promoted to Division Director of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville, Utah. Following the merger of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) on October 1, 2016, Marilyn became the assistant director. As a result of this merger, she began reporting to the DWS instead of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. The chain of command remained unchanged for Dan V. Mathis, who was also Deaf when he assumed the role of director. This structure will also apply to future assistant directors working under the DWS.
In 2020, Arlene Garcia Gunderson, a Deaf assistant director, and her team renamed the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
These directors, including those from the list, are greatly appreciated for their services to the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Their dedication and commitment have significantly enhanced the programs offered at the center, fostering a stronger sense of community and support for individuals with hearing challenges. Through their leadership, the center has become a vital resource, promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all.
Under Beth Ann Stewart Campbell's leadership, the services at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf expanded significantly, leading to the establishment of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) in 1988. This division marked a new era in the provision of services to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities and is housed at the Utah Community Center for the Deaf in Bountiful, Utah.
In 1989, the Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing appointed Gene Stewart, a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA) and vocational rehabilitation counselor, as its Division Director. This position reported to the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. Within this organization, there were two key roles: the Division Director, responsible for overseeing the division's overall operations and strategic direction, and the Director of the Community Center, who managed the day-to-day operations of the Utah Community Center for the Deaf.
Three months before the Utah Community Center for the Deaf relocated to Taylorsville, Utah, in June 1992, the organization experienced a significant change by establishing a new position: program director. This decision, noted in March 1992, was prompted by the retirement of Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, who was serving as the director at the time. Marilyn Tiller Call, a hard-of-hearing individual and the former executive director of the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities, applied for the position (Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 15, 2023).
Beth Ann Stewart Campbell officially retired on March 13, 1992, citing several reasons for her decision. These included her lack of a college degree, insufficient support from her previous supervisor, Dr. Judy Ann Buffmire, who had also retired as the executive director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and a general lack of support from male individuals in positions of authority (Campbell, UAD Bulletin, March 1992; Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, December 7, 2023).
After Beth Ann's retirement, the director position was reclassified to program director, which helped clarify roles and responsibilities within the organization. Marilyn Tiller Call, who assumed the role of program director, contributed her fresh perspective and valuable experience, further enhancing the organization's operations.
Gene Stewart and Rusty Wales, a Deaf individual, directed the Utah Community Center for the Deaf under the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Marilyn Tiller Call was later promoted to Division Director of the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville, Utah. Following the merger of the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the Department of Workforce Services (DWS) on October 1, 2016, Marilyn became the assistant director. As a result of this merger, she began reporting to the DWS instead of the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation. The chain of command remained unchanged for Dan V. Mathis, who was also Deaf when he assumed the role of director. This structure will also apply to future assistant directors working under the DWS.
In 2020, Arlene Garcia Gunderson, a Deaf assistant director, and her team renamed the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing to the Division of Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
These directors, including those from the list, are greatly appreciated for their services to the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Their dedication and commitment have significantly enhanced the programs offered at the center, fostering a stronger sense of community and support for individuals with hearing challenges. Through their leadership, the center has become a vital resource, promoting inclusivity and accessibility for all.
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson
Dr. Robert G. Sanderson (Deaf)
Coordinator (1965-1983)
Services to the Adult Deaf
Dr. Sanderson was appointed as the first state coordinator of services to deaf people in the United States
Director (1983-1985)
Utah Community Center for the Deaf
Bountiful, Utah
1965 - 1985
Beth Ann Campbell
Beth Ann Campbell (CODA)
Director
Utah Community Center for the Deaf
Bountiful & Taylorsville, Utah
1985-1992
Gene Stewart
Gene Stewart (CODA)
Division Director (1989-1996)
Utah Community Center for the Deaf under the Division Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Bountiful & Taylorsville, Utah
1989 - 1996
Rusty Wales
Rusty Wales (Deaf)
Division Director
Utah Community Center for the Deaf under the Division Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Taylorsville, Utah
1996 - 2001
Marilyn Call
Marilyn Tiller Call (Hard of Hearing)
Division Director (2001-2016)
Utah Community Center for the Deaf and later renamed the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Taylorsville, Utah
Marilyn became an Assistant Director after the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was moved under the Department of Workforce Service on October 1, 2016. She retired on December 15, 2017.
2001 - 2017
Division Director (2001-2016)
Utah Community Center for the Deaf and later renamed the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Taylorsville, Utah
Marilyn became an Assistant Director after the Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing was moved under the Department of Workforce Service on October 1, 2016. She retired on December 15, 2017.
2001 - 2017
Dan V. Mathis @ University of Washington
Dan V. Mathis (Deaf)
Assistant Director
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Taylorsville, Utah
March 5, 2018 - April 16, 2019
Annette Stewart
Annette Stewart (Hearing)
Interim Assistant Director
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Taylorsville, Utah
April 16, 2019 - January 10, 2020
Arlene Garcia Gunderson
Arlene Garcia Gunderson (Deaf)
Assistant Director
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Taylorsville, Utah
January 13, 2020 - July 16, 2021
Eric Roux
Eric Roux (Hearing)
Interim Assistant Director
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
August 4, 2021 - June 8, 2022
Sarah Brenna
Sarah Brenna (Hearing)
Director of the Utah Services of Rehabilitation, oversees the DSDHH and provides support to the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the assistance of four managers until the assistant director is hired.
The managers were Pamela Mower, Melanie Sperry, Annette Stewart, and Jes Nelson-Julander.
June 9, 2022-July 23, 2024
David Lance Pickett (Deaf)
Assistant Director
Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing under the Division Services of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
July 23, 2024 to Present
Notes
Beth Ann Stewart Campbell, personal communication, December 7, 2023.
Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 15, 2023.
Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 16, 2023.
Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 15, 2023.
Marilyn Tiller Call, personal communication, December 16, 2023.
Reference
Campbell, Jay. "Beth Ann Resigns As Director of UCCD." UAD Bulletin, v. 15, no. 10. (March 1992): 1.
