The First Utah School
for the Deaf Alumni Reunion, 1976
for the Deaf Alumni Reunion, 1976
Written by Celia May Laramie Baldwin (quoted with permission)
Layout by Jodi Becker Kinner
Published in 2014
The topic of having a reunion for classes dating as far back as 1908 on the school campus had been discussed and suggested by numerous Utah School for the Deaf alumni. This desire materialized when Peter M. Green, 1952 alumnus of the Utah School for the Deaf voluntarily assigned himself as the general chairman and formed a committee of five alumni (Baldwin, The Utah Eagle, November 1976).
In the early 1970’s, Peter brought up the idea among some deaf friends, and took a leading role in organizing a committee, for the first reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni. He eventually appointed twenty Deaf alumni of that school to serve on his committee, and assigned them specific duties (Baldwin, UAD Bulletin, July 1976).
In the early 1970’s, Peter brought up the idea among some deaf friends, and took a leading role in organizing a committee, for the first reunion of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni. He eventually appointed twenty Deaf alumni of that school to serve on his committee, and assigned them specific duties (Baldwin, UAD Bulletin, July 1976).
Peter M. Green
Celia May Laramie Baldwin, Utah School for the Deaf alumni of 1965 was the publicity director and consultant of the Utah School for the Deaf Alumni Reunion. The reunion was held at the Utah School for the Deaf in Ogden, Utah on June 24, 25, and 26, 1976. USD alumni excitedly met and said the following comments:
Sharing Memories
“Haven’t seen you for 29 years!”, “You haven’t changed much!”, “Great to see you again!”, Remember the terrible prank that we did…?”, How many children do you have?”, What, 6 already!” These were the common “signed conversations” among the alumni at the first reunion held at the Utah School for the Deaf. It was a happy, pleasant, and memorable occasion for every alumnus (Baldwin, UAD Bulletin, July 1976; Baldwin, The Utah Eagle, November 1976).
Sharing Memories
“Haven’t seen you for 29 years!”, “You haven’t changed much!”, “Great to see you again!”, Remember the terrible prank that we did…?”, How many children do you have?”, What, 6 already!” These were the common “signed conversations” among the alumni at the first reunion held at the Utah School for the Deaf. It was a happy, pleasant, and memorable occasion for every alumnus (Baldwin, UAD Bulletin, July 1976; Baldwin, The Utah Eagle, November 1976).
Celia May Laramie Baldwin
The first day of the Reunion drew a pleasing number of alumni! Arriving on the campus of the Utah School for the Deaf, this time as alumni, they could not miss the directions to the registration desk. The gymnasium was filled with so many happy people hugging and shaking hands! Alumni immediately buried their noses in the Reunion Book. Finding themselves in the pictures, many tapped their friends’ shoulders and exclaimed, “That was me, when I was 7 years old” or likewise. Included in the book was the history of the alma mater. Much delight was shown by most alumni in reading the souvenir books (Baldwin, UAD Bulletin, July 1976; Baldwin, The Utah Eagle, November 1976).
The presenting of mock awards to the graduates in attendance provided entertainment at the reunion. The following were the winners:
1. The Older Person Attending the Reunion: Kate Keeley, 83 years old.
2. The First Person Purchasing a Combo Ticket: Beverlee Hansen.
3. The First Person to Register for this Reunion: Selma Worsley
4. The Person Traveling the Farthest to this Reunion: Paul Baldridge of Indiana, 1,400 miles.
5. The Person Traveling the Shortest Distance to this Reunion: Superintendent Tegeder, ¼ block.
6. The Person Having the Most Members in the Family: Robert Frye, 12 children
7. The Person Having the Most Grandchildren: Albert Bray, 24
8. The Person Having the Most Great Grandchildren: Lee Hunter, 13
9. The Present Teacher Teaching the Most Years at the U.S.D.: Donald Jensen, 35 years.
10. The Retired Teacher Who Taught the Most Years at U.S.D.: Kenneth C. Burdett, 40 years.
11. Couple Having the Longest Marriage Life: Arnold and Zelma Moon, 47 years.
12. The Person Giving the Best Theme for This Reunion: Georgia Walker, “To Share Memories.”
13. The Tallest Alumni: Alumnus – Chem Sevy, 6’4”; Alumna – Kay Curtis, 5’10.”
14. The Shortest Alumni: Alumnus – Wayne Stewart, 5’3;” Alumna – Irene Cook and Darlene Cochran – 4’11.”
15. The Alumnus Having the Longest Beard: Carl Farnsworth.
16. The Alumnus Having the Handsomest Mustachio: Edwin Lewis
17. The Alumni Having the Most Freckles: Alumnus – Robert Dr. Sanderson; Alumna – Kleda Quigley.
2. The First Person Purchasing a Combo Ticket: Beverlee Hansen.
3. The First Person to Register for this Reunion: Selma Worsley
4. The Person Traveling the Farthest to this Reunion: Paul Baldridge of Indiana, 1,400 miles.
5. The Person Traveling the Shortest Distance to this Reunion: Superintendent Tegeder, ¼ block.
6. The Person Having the Most Members in the Family: Robert Frye, 12 children
7. The Person Having the Most Grandchildren: Albert Bray, 24
8. The Person Having the Most Great Grandchildren: Lee Hunter, 13
9. The Present Teacher Teaching the Most Years at the U.S.D.: Donald Jensen, 35 years.
10. The Retired Teacher Who Taught the Most Years at U.S.D.: Kenneth C. Burdett, 40 years.
11. Couple Having the Longest Marriage Life: Arnold and Zelma Moon, 47 years.
12. The Person Giving the Best Theme for This Reunion: Georgia Walker, “To Share Memories.”
13. The Tallest Alumni: Alumnus – Chem Sevy, 6’4”; Alumna – Kay Curtis, 5’10.”
14. The Shortest Alumni: Alumnus – Wayne Stewart, 5’3;” Alumna – Irene Cook and Darlene Cochran – 4’11.”
15. The Alumnus Having the Longest Beard: Carl Farnsworth.
16. The Alumnus Having the Handsomest Mustachio: Edwin Lewis
17. The Alumni Having the Most Freckles: Alumnus – Robert Dr. Sanderson; Alumna – Kleda Quigley.
The alumni enjoyed viewing Kenneth C. Burdett's USD historical pictures on both sides of eight wheeled 4 x 8 foot bulletin boards covering activities and scenes of campus life including academics, athletics, commencement exercises, superintendents, principals, vocational programs, buildings and grounds, support services, student activities, houseparents/supervisors, and Utah deaf organizations
A total 370 people registered at the USD Reunion. Approximately, seventy-five alumni came from other states such as Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, California, Nevada, Arizona, and Indiana (Baldwin, UAD Bulletin, July 1976; Baldwin, The Utah Eagle, November 1976).
Katherine Seegmiller is honoring the Utah School for the Deaf staff members
Profound gratitude expressed
Beth Ann Stewart Campbell (interpreter), LaVern Burnett (sit facing to the speaker), Lola Elizabeth Jensen speaking
L-R: _____, Kenneth L. Kinner, Ilene Coles Kinner, _____, _____
Dora B. Laramie and her daughter, Celia May Laramie Baldwin showing the modern captioned TV lesson
Kenneth C. Burdett
Alumni of the Utah School for the Deaf
Watching Kenneth C. Burdett's film of the Utah School for the Deaf
Refreshment at Robert Tegeder, USD Superintendent's home on campus
Front Row L-R: _____, Sally Green, _____, _____ Back Row L-R: Peter Green, Dora B. Laramie, _____, Celia Mae Laramie Baldwin (by the door)
HISTORICAL DOCUMENT
Visit the "1976 Reunion Review," authored by Celia May Laramie Baldwin, to read more about the Utah School for the Deaf reunion in 1976.
ARCHIVE
1976 USD Reunion
The 1976 Utah School for the Deaf Reunion
is highlighted in newspaper articles
is highlighted in newspaper articles
Utah School for the Deaf
Alumni Reunion, 1984
Alumni Reunion, 1984
Compiled and Written by Jodi B. Kinner
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2014
Edited by Valerie G. Kinney
2014
Alumni of the Utah School for the Deaf (USD) gathered in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1984 to celebrate the school's 100th anniversary since its founding in 1884. The second reunion was held on the campus of Ogden High School in Ogden, Utah, on June 28, 29, and 30. Almost 400 alumni and former teachers attended the reunion, which marked the school's 100th anniversary (Thalman, Standard-Examiner, June 30, 1984).
A content was held to come up with a reunion theme. "A Century of Memories" was chosen as the reunion's theme. Robert L. Bonnell, a 1956 alumni, was the one who created the best theme (UAD Bulletin, March 1984).
Robert L. Bonnell
Peter M. Green, a 1952 alumnus of the Utah School for the Deaf, was again the chairman of the reunion. He gave a message saying, "With the passing of years, many friendships and memories gained at their beloved school have faded into the past." With the reunion, they had an opportunity to renew old friendships and refresh old memories once more... something that was first done one hundred years ago (A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion, 1984).
The Reunion Committee once again put together a booklet consisting of a brief history and pictures of their school, dating back to its founding 100 years ago. Once more, the alumni enjoyed watching USD historical movies filmed and produced by Kenneth C. Burdett, who spent almost all his life at USD, first as a student and then as a teacher. They also enjoyed viewing his USD historical pictures on both sides of eight wheeled, 4 x 8 foot bulletin boards covering activities and scenes of campus life, including academics, athletics, commencement exercises, superintendents, principals, vocational programs, buildings and grounds, support services, student activities, houseparents/supervisors, and Utah deaf organizations.
The Reunion Committee once again put together a booklet consisting of a brief history and pictures of their school, dating back to its founding 100 years ago. Once more, the alumni enjoyed watching USD historical movies filmed and produced by Kenneth C. Burdett, who spent almost all his life at USD, first as a student and then as a teacher. They also enjoyed viewing his USD historical pictures on both sides of eight wheeled, 4 x 8 foot bulletin boards covering activities and scenes of campus life, including academics, athletics, commencement exercises, superintendents, principals, vocational programs, buildings and grounds, support services, student activities, houseparents/supervisors, and Utah deaf organizations.
The 1984 Utah School for the Deaf Reunion
is highlighted in newspaper articles
is highlighted in newspaper articles
Viewing Kenneth C. Burdett's bulletin boards of the USD historical pictures
Duane Harrison, a former hearing teacher at the Utah School for the Deaf, shared his observation of alumni by saying, "They really aren’t alumni like you and I know. For many of them, this is where they grew up; this is home" (Thalman, Standard-Examiner, June 30, 1984). Peter Green, organizer of the celebration event, also commented, "These people have come so far because this is their home. They weren’t just classmates; they were brothers and sisters, and this school is where they spent their youth" (Thalman, Standard-Examiner, June 30, 1984). The alumni were probably sad when the reunion ended.
1984 USD Reunion: Part I
The alumni did not meet again until 1996 and 2002, chaired by Lynn Losee, Class of 1961. Both the 2005 and 2009 reunions were chaired by Rosa Maria Flores Rathbun, an alumna of the Class of 1969. For the first time in 2005, mainstreamed students who were products of USD were invited to the event and became part of the reunion as alumni. Anne Post Fife, a USD/mainstreamed student and graduate of the Class of 1994 at Hillcrest High School, is the chair of the 2014 reunion.
Since 2005, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS) has been under the USD wing. JMS alumni, as part of USD, can attend future USD reunions.
Since 2005, the Jean Massieu School of the Deaf (JMS) has been under the USD wing. JMS alumni, as part of USD, can attend future USD reunions.
ARCHIVES
1984 USD Reunion: Part II
References
“A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion,” 1984.
Thalman, James. Deaf School Marked 100th Year. Standard-Examiner. June 30, 1984.
USD Reunion ’84 Information Ready to be Mailed Out. (March 1984). UAD Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 10 (March 1984): 2.
“A Century of Memories: Utah School for the Deaf 100th Year Anniversary Alumni Reunion,” 1984.
Thalman, James. Deaf School Marked 100th Year. Standard-Examiner. June 30, 1984.
USD Reunion ’84 Information Ready to be Mailed Out. (March 1984). UAD Bulletin, Vol. 7, No. 10 (March 1984): 2.