W. David Mortensen's
Honoring Ceremony
Jodi Becker Kinner
Edited by Bronwyn O’Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
2014
Edited by Bronwyn O’Hara & Valerie G. Kinney
2014
W. David Mortensen
On March 29, 2014, Utah Division of Services to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and Utah Association of the Deaf were honoring W. David Mortensen, known as Dave, for his special lifetime advocacy award. He has made substantial contributions to the wellbeing of the Utah Deaf community. The plaque along with his portrait and brief biography are hung in the museum area at the Sanderson Community Center for all to see and remember. It was Jodi Becker Kinner, an amateur historian who proposed honoring Dave for his exemplary service.
Dave Mortensen was born in Provo, Utah June 3, 1931. He became deaf at the age of 4 from scarlet fever. He attended Joaquin Elementary School where he often felt lost and isolated. In 1942 at age 11 he was enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf. The deaf teachers became his role models as he learned sign language for the first time. Thus began a lifetime of advocating for deaf people.
After high school graduation in 1949, Dave studied journalism for two years at Brigham Young University. He transferred to the University of Utah and graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, later receiving a master‘s degree in social work in 1982. He was the first deaf certified social worker in Utah and was employed as a counselor for the deaf at Valley Mental Health. He worked nights at the Newspaper Agency Corporation.
Dave Mortensen was born in Provo, Utah June 3, 1931. He became deaf at the age of 4 from scarlet fever. He attended Joaquin Elementary School where he often felt lost and isolated. In 1942 at age 11 he was enrolled at the Utah School for the Deaf. The deaf teachers became his role models as he learned sign language for the first time. Thus began a lifetime of advocating for deaf people.
After high school graduation in 1949, Dave studied journalism for two years at Brigham Young University. He transferred to the University of Utah and graduated in 1976 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, later receiving a master‘s degree in social work in 1982. He was the first deaf certified social worker in Utah and was employed as a counselor for the deaf at Valley Mental Health. He worked nights at the Newspaper Agency Corporation.
Dave has been a role model for deaf youth and young adults. He has been an ambitious and persistent leader in the Utah Association of the Deaf (UAD). Despite his busy schedules with work and family, he managed to find the time to serve as president from 1971-1985, 1987-1991, 1993-1997, a total of 22 years. He’s the longest serving president in the association.
He is best known for his work as a political activist lobbying the legislators to get laws passed, hosting rallies for causes, writing news articles, and explaining the needs of the deaf. He was instrumental in getting seats for deaf persons on the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
He is best known for his work as a political activist lobbying the legislators to get laws passed, hosting rallies for causes, writing news articles, and explaining the needs of the deaf. He was instrumental in getting seats for deaf persons on the Institutional Council of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
W. David Mortensen, 1949
Significant accomplishments:
In 2013, Dave had been appointed president emeritus by the Utah Association of the Deaf. He succeeded Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who passed away in February 2012 (Kinney & Kinner, UAD Bulletin, Vol 37.03). Dave has promoted civil and accessibility rights for the local Deaf community imparting a valuable legacy to future generations.
- Helped set up the TTY program in Utah
- Lobbied for the first deaf community center established in Bountiful, Utah
- Organized the Deaf community to lobby for a state relay service for the deaf
- Helped secure legislative funding for the 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 UAD
- Served on the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities
- Was consultant for Utah State Committee of Consumer Services
In 2013, Dave had been appointed president emeritus by the Utah Association of the Deaf. He succeeded Dr. Robert G. Sanderson, who passed away in February 2012 (Kinney & Kinner, UAD Bulletin, Vol 37.03). Dave has promoted civil and accessibility rights for the local Deaf community imparting a valuable legacy to future generations.
Dave Mortensen, 1980
Photo: The Park Literary Society, 1949. L-R: Secretary Peter Green, Vice-President Jerry Westberg, President David Mortensen.
See W. David Mortensen's biography for more information: www.utahdeafhistory.com/uploads/5/4/2/6/5426987/robert_sanderson.pdf
HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS
A Slideshow of W. David Mortensen's
Honoring Ceremony, March 29, 2014
Honoring Ceremony, March 29, 2014
Photos taken by Duane & Jodi Kinner
"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'm David and Shanna's adopted son). I was not able to attend the ceremony due to being so far away (I live in Illinois) 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, April 7, 2014.