W. David Mortensen's
2014 Honorary Ceremony
Compiled & Written Jodi Christel Becker
Edited by Bronwyn O’Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2014
Updated in 2025
Edited by Bronwyn O’Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
Published in 2014
Updated in 2025
Author's Note
During my work on Utah Deaf History, I have admired W. David "Dave" Mortensen's remarkable advocacy efforts. In 2013, during a meeting with the Utah Association of the Deaf, I proposed that we honor him for all he has done for our community. His tireless work in promoting sign language education, advocating for technology access, and establishing a community center for the Deaf are just a few examples of his impactful contributions. It filled me with joy to receive everyone's approval of our proposal to recognize him! It is wonderful to celebrate someone who has had a profoundly positive impact on our lives.
On March 29, 2014, we gathered for a heartfelt ceremony to unveil Dave's Lifetime Advocacy Award and his portrait, which features a brief biography highlighting over 40 years of dedication to the Utah Deaf community. Remarkably, he served an impressive 22 years as president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, and it is important to acknowledge his unwavering commitment.
I have compiled a summary of his biography, accomplishments, and the special event we held in his honor. I truly hope that one day we can name a room at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center after him—he absolutely deserves it! We are incredibly grateful for his relentless passion and support for the Utah Deaf community. Being part of this celebration was a joy, and I sincerely appreciate everyone who helped bring it to life.
Thank you, Dave, for everything you've done for our community! Your contributions have been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate the impact you have made.
Jodi Christel Becker
On March 29, 2014, we gathered for a heartfelt ceremony to unveil Dave's Lifetime Advocacy Award and his portrait, which features a brief biography highlighting over 40 years of dedication to the Utah Deaf community. Remarkably, he served an impressive 22 years as president of the Utah Association for the Deaf, and it is important to acknowledge his unwavering commitment.
I have compiled a summary of his biography, accomplishments, and the special event we held in his honor. I truly hope that one day we can name a room at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center after him—he absolutely deserves it! We are incredibly grateful for his relentless passion and support for the Utah Deaf community. Being part of this celebration was a joy, and I sincerely appreciate everyone who helped bring it to life.
Thank you, Dave, for everything you've done for our community! Your contributions have been invaluable, and we deeply appreciate the impact you have made.
Jodi Christel Becker
A Brief Biography of W. David Mortensen
On March 29, 2014, the Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Utah Association of the Deaf honored W. David Mortensen, known as Dave, with an exceptional lifetime advocacy award. Dave has made substantial contributions to the well-being of the Utah Deaf community. The plaque with his portrait and brief biography is currently on display in the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center museum, allowing everyone to see and remember him.
Dave's journey began in Provo, Utah, on June 3, 1931. At the tender age of four, scarlet fever took his hearing. He felt lost and isolated during his first few years at Joaquín Elementary School. At the age of 11, a new chapter began when he enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf in 1942 and joined the Park Literary Society and the Arthur Wenger Athletic Association. The Deaf teachers, with their sign language, became his guiding lights, igniting a passion for advocacy that would shape his life and the lives of many others.
After graduating from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1949, Dave embarked on his academic journey at Brigham Young University. His thirst for knowledge and his unwavering determination led him to transfer to the University of Utah, where he achieved several significant milestones. He made history by becoming the first Deaf male to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1976, and then went on to earn a master's degree in social work in 1982. His academic achievements were not the end of his journey. He went on to become the first Deaf-certified social worker in Utah, working at Valley Mental Health as a Deaf counselor and also holding a night job at the Newspaper Agency Corporation.
Dave's journey began in Provo, Utah, on June 3, 1931. At the tender age of four, scarlet fever took his hearing. He felt lost and isolated during his first few years at Joaquín Elementary School. At the age of 11, a new chapter began when he enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf in 1942 and joined the Park Literary Society and the Arthur Wenger Athletic Association. The Deaf teachers, with their sign language, became his guiding lights, igniting a passion for advocacy that would shape his life and the lives of many others.
After graduating from the Utah School for the Deaf in 1949, Dave embarked on his academic journey at Brigham Young University. His thirst for knowledge and his unwavering determination led him to transfer to the University of Utah, where he achieved several significant milestones. He made history by becoming the first Deaf male to earn a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1976, and then went on to earn a master's degree in social work in 1982. His academic achievements were not the end of his journey. He went on to become the first Deaf-certified social worker in Utah, working at Valley Mental Health as a Deaf counselor and also holding a night job at the Newspaper Agency Corporation.
W. David Mortensen
Dave gained significant recognition for his work as a political activist. In 1971, the Utah Association of the Deaf Convention elected Dave as UAD president. According to "The Deaf Education History in Utah," he strongly advocated for the rights of Deaf children to education and addressed related political issues. He also fought for the Murray School District to provide interpreters for his Deaf daughter Kristi during her junior high and high school years. Kristi inspired Dave to push for equal access to education for Deaf children. Described as fearless, ambitious, and persistent by Dr. Robert Sanderson and Valerie G. Kinney, Dave Mortensen is best known as a political activist (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). He firmly believed that proper education would enable many to succeed (UAD Bulletin, November 1999, p. 5).
Despite his demanding job and family schedules, he found time to serve as president for 22 years, from 1971 to 1985, 1987 to 1991, and 1993 to 1997. He is the association's longest-serving president, and no one has beaten him. During his presidency, Dave oversaw several programs and witnessed the organization evolve from a simple to a more complex structure. As a result, UAD transitioned from a small, home-run organization to a well-functioning business office (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). In 1995, his wife, Shanna Christiansen Mortensen, received a Presidential Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf for her patience and 22 years of providing background support to her husband, Dave, in recognition of his service to the Utah Association for the Deaf. The Utah Association for the Deaf also awarded her a lifetime membership (UAD Bulletin, July 1995).
Furthermore, Dave generously donated to the UAD throughout his presidency, primarily through his involvement with the Utah Legislature. He actively lobbied his district's senators and representatives for the accessibility needs of the Utah Deaf community at a time when most legislators were not proactive or eager to advocate for these needs. Dave also utilized his political connections to raise awareness about Deaf accessibility needs and to ensure that legislators listened and learned about these issues (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave, as the father of Deaf daughter Kristi Lee, continued to champion the rights of Deaf children to education and other political issues. He lobbied legislators to pass laws, organized rallies, wrote news articles, and raised awareness about Deaf issues. Additionally, he played a key role in securing seats for Deaf individuals on the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
Despite his demanding job and family schedules, he found time to serve as president for 22 years, from 1971 to 1985, 1987 to 1991, and 1993 to 1997. He is the association's longest-serving president, and no one has beaten him. During his presidency, Dave oversaw several programs and witnessed the organization evolve from a simple to a more complex structure. As a result, UAD transitioned from a small, home-run organization to a well-functioning business office (Dave Mortensen, Renae M. White, Don M. Mortensen, and Kristi L. Mortensen, personal communication, April 17, 2009). In 1995, his wife, Shanna Christiansen Mortensen, received a Presidential Award from the Utah Association for the Deaf for her patience and 22 years of providing background support to her husband, Dave, in recognition of his service to the Utah Association for the Deaf. The Utah Association for the Deaf also awarded her a lifetime membership (UAD Bulletin, July 1995).
Furthermore, Dave generously donated to the UAD throughout his presidency, primarily through his involvement with the Utah Legislature. He actively lobbied his district's senators and representatives for the accessibility needs of the Utah Deaf community at a time when most legislators were not proactive or eager to advocate for these needs. Dave also utilized his political connections to raise awareness about Deaf accessibility needs and to ensure that legislators listened and learned about these issues (UAD Bulletin, November 1999).
Dave, as the father of Deaf daughter Kristi Lee, continued to champion the rights of Deaf children to education and other political issues. He lobbied legislators to pass laws, organized rallies, wrote news articles, and raised awareness about Deaf issues. Additionally, he played a key role in securing seats for Deaf individuals on the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
W. David Mortensen, 1949
W. David Mortensen's significant achievements
and advocacy are listed below:
and advocacy are listed below:
- Helped set up the TTY program in Utah.
- Lobbied for the first deaf community center to be established in Bountiful, Utah.
- Organized the Deaf community to lobby for a state relay service for the deaf.
- Helped secure legislative funding for the Robert G. Sanderson Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Taylorsville, Utah.
- Worked for legislative recognition of American Sign Language.
- Helped establish the Utah Interpreter Program under the Utah Association of the Deaf.
- Served on the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities.
- Was consultant for the Utah State Committee of Consumer Services
Source: Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Utah Association of the Deaf present W. David Mortensen a special lifetime advocacy award, March 29, 2014
Dave has led rallies at the following
events throughout the years:
events throughout the years:
- Utah State Board of Education to let Total Communication be the main focus on Deaf education in 1970.
- The University of Utah included Total Communication pedagogy in the Teacher Preparation Program 1977.
- Utah Capitol, to pass a law establishing the Utah Interpreter Service under state funding in 1982, after the United Way discontinued funding support.
- Utah Capitol, to pass Senate Bill 101 to set up a Utah Relay Service in 1987.
- Utah Capitol, to pass the law establishing the Interpreting Training Program at Salt Lake Community College for prospective interpreters in 1994.
- Utah Capitol, to enact a law recognizing American Sign Language as a foreign language and requiring schools, colleges, and universities to accept it for credit toward language requirements in 1994.
W. David Mortensen was named president emeritus of the Utah Association of the Deaf in 2013. His predecessor was Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who passed in February 2012 (Kinney & Becker Kinner, UAD Bulletin, Vol 37.03). He dedicated his life to advocating human, civil, and accessibility rights for the Deaf people in his community, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
W. David Mortensen speaking with Marilyn Call, Director of the Sanderson Community Center. Mortensen was honored for his advocacy work. Source: KSL.com March 29, 2014
Dave advocated for the following actions
from the Utah Legislature:
from the Utah Legislature:
- Get funding for the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
- Authorize a fee on telephone service to get money to set up an Utah Relay Service for the Deaf in 1987.
Dave Mortensen, 1980. Photo by Robert Bonnell
Dave has served
on the following committees:
on the following committees:
- Public Service Commission on the distribution of TTY
- Committee on Interpreting
- Utah Relay Committee, as Chairman
- Committee to encourage hospitals to have interpreters for Deaf patients
- Committee to request lawyers hire interpreters when with a Deaf client
- Utah Telecom Directory for several years as editor
W. David Mortensen is surrounded by his family members, including his Deaf daughter, Kristi Mortensen (orange scarf) and her husband, Ron Nelson (behind her). Source: KSL.com, March 29, 2014
Dave received
the following honors:
the following honors:
- 1972: National Association of the Deaf Award for excellence in cultural achievement news publication
- July 1973: Certification from Registry of Interpreting for the Deaf in reverse interpreting
- August 1976: Certification from Utah Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf in reverse interpreting
- 1976-1979: Certification of Appreciation from Utah State Board of Education for service on the Utah State Advisory Committee
- May 1977: Served as the delegate to the White House Conference on Handicapped Individuals in recognition of dedicated services
- 1979: Utah Association for the Deaf Golden Hand Award
- June 1981: Meritorious Service Award in recognition of valuable service on the Board of UAD
- June 1987: Certification of Appreciation in contribution unlimited time on SB 101
- January 1990: Utah State Committee of Consumer Service for strong consumer advocacy
- March 1990: Utah State Office of Rehabilitation – Coalition for People with Disabilities
- 1993: Guerts/Knowles Outstanding Volunteer Award: in recognition of exemplary service rendered to offenders at the Utah State Prison
- January 1995: F.O.E. Aerie #76 Achievement Award for inspiration, strength, and determination to overcome any obstacles
- July 1998: Award from the National Association of the Deaf Knights of the Flying Fingers
- 1999: Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind Legacy Award for USDB Alumni Achievement
- June 2003: Utah Educational Interpreter Award as a Deaf community advocate in the field of educational interpreting
Dave was honored with the Distinguished Service Award in September 2007 for his long-term dedication to the Utah Association for the Deaf, particularly his efforts to work with the Utah Legislature. Despite the reluctance of most senators and representatives in his district to lobby on issues important to the Utah Deaf community, Dave actively sought their support. His persistence paid off as he successfully convinced lawmakers to pay attention to and understand Deaf issues in general (UAD Bulletin, October 2007, p. 1 & 5).
In 2013, Dave was appointed President Emeritus by the Utah Association of the Deaf, succeeding Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, a prominent Utah Deaf leader who had passed away in February 2012, leaving a lasting legacy for the association (Kinney & Becker Kinner, UAD Bulletin, August 2013).
W. David Mortensen's Honoring Ceremony
In my "Author's Note" above, I mentioned that during the 2013 Utah Association of the Deaf meeting, my proposal to honor Dave for his exceptional service was approved. On March 29, 2014, a special ceremony was held to unveil Dave's Lifetime Advocacy Award and portrait. This event included a brief biography recognizing his more than 40 years of contributions to advocacy within the Utah Deaf community. The event was a collaboration with the UAD Honoring Event Committee, the Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Utah Association of the Deaf. Additionally, the event served brunch to over 50 people. Speakers at Dave's honoring ceremony included UAD President Philippe Montalette, DSDHH Director Marilyn Call, retired USOR Executive Director Don Uchida, and Valerie G. Kinney, who discussed various aspects of Dave's life, from childhood to the present (Kinney, UAD Bulletin, April 2014). The heartfelt speeches not only celebrated Dave's achievements but also highlighted the profound impact he had on the Utah Deaf community. Attendees left the event feeling inspired and united in their commitment to continuing to advocate for accessibility and inclusion.
At Dave's honoring ceremony, the DSDHH Director, Marilyn Call, commended "his tireless efforts over the years to fight for deaf rights in education, the workplace, interpreting, and medical fields." Dave's work was not just a series of actions but a testament to the power of advocacy and perseverance. "His ultimate goal all along was to provide deaf people with equal access to everything hearing people had," Dave expressed, overwhelmed by the honor. His daughter, Kristi, noted, "He is a good reminder for us that when we see a barrier, we need to do something and speak up. We have all kinds of accessibility and technology today. Our lives are much better because of him" (Lee, KSL, March 29, 2014).
The Sanderson Community Center museum area honors Dave's legacy with plaques, his portrait, and a brief biography, ensuring his significant contributions are recognized. His behind-the-scenes work exemplified the power of advocacy and perseverance. Dave's commitment to civil and accessibility rights for the local Deaf community has created a lasting impact for future generations. His efforts inspire advocates and activists, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and enduring determination. By raising awareness and promoting understanding, Dave's legacy encourages us to continue fighting for equal rights for all, regardless of their abilities, and to stand strong in the face of adversity.
At Dave's honoring ceremony, the DSDHH Director, Marilyn Call, commended "his tireless efforts over the years to fight for deaf rights in education, the workplace, interpreting, and medical fields." Dave's work was not just a series of actions but a testament to the power of advocacy and perseverance. "His ultimate goal all along was to provide deaf people with equal access to everything hearing people had," Dave expressed, overwhelmed by the honor. His daughter, Kristi, noted, "He is a good reminder for us that when we see a barrier, we need to do something and speak up. We have all kinds of accessibility and technology today. Our lives are much better because of him" (Lee, KSL, March 29, 2014).
The Sanderson Community Center museum area honors Dave's legacy with plaques, his portrait, and a brief biography, ensuring his significant contributions are recognized. His behind-the-scenes work exemplified the power of advocacy and perseverance. Dave's commitment to civil and accessibility rights for the local Deaf community has created a lasting impact for future generations. His efforts inspire advocates and activists, highlighting the importance of inclusivity and enduring determination. By raising awareness and promoting understanding, Dave's legacy encourages us to continue fighting for equal rights for all, regardless of their abilities, and to stand strong in the face of adversity.
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
For your convenience and curiosity, I have enclosed the program book for W. David Mortensen's honorary celebration at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, along with USOR's Recognized Letter and PowerPoint of W. David Mortensen.
A Slideshow of W. David Mortensen's
Honoring Ceremony,
March 29, 2014
Honoring Ceremony,
March 29, 2014
Additionally, I have enclosed the photos of W. David Mortensen's honorary celebration, which took place at the Robert G. Sanderson Community Center of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on March 29, 2014. Enjoy!
Photos taken by Duane Lee Kinner & Jodi Christel Becker
"I just wanted to write a short note to you to
thank you for the WONDERFUL job that you did
in taking that photo-history of Dad's "honoring.
I was not able to attend the ceremony due to being
so far away and have a rather unpredictable health challenge. Thank you so much for making it possible
for me to "attend" even from so far away.
You did an excellent and inspiring job!!"
Zak Mortensen, Dave's Stepson, April 7, 2014.
thank you for the WONDERFUL job that you did
in taking that photo-history of Dad's "honoring.
I was not able to attend the ceremony due to being
so far away and have a rather unpredictable health challenge. Thank you so much for making it possible
for me to "attend" even from so far away.
You did an excellent and inspiring job!!"
Zak Mortensen, Dave's Stepson, April 7, 2014.
References
