UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Benjamin Cluff, Jr.

Teacher, Third Principal of BYA,Academic Innovator, Explorer

Brigham Young Academy High School
Class of 1883

Benjamin Cluff, Jr., was born February 7, 1858 in Provo, Utah. Benjamin Cluff's desire for education was sparked when he was fifteen years old. At seventeen he became librarian of the Coalville (Utah) City Library and delighted in the opportunity to peruse the books held in the library.

Surrounded by knowledge and thirsting for more, he decided to travel to Provo, where he hoped to attend the newly established Brigham Young Academy. Not deterred by the 65-mile distance between himself and campus, Cluff set out for BYA on foot. After getting a ride just outside of Park City, Cluff arrived at the Academy and was greeted by Karl Maeser. The principal of BYA supposedly shook Cluff's hand and, according to Ernest L. Wilkinson's book "Brigham Young University, A School of Destiny," gave him a warm greeting.

"It is an honor and a pleasure to meet and welcome into our school a young man with an ambition to fit himself for service in God's kingdom," Maeser said. "You will be happy here."

Cluff began school at BYA in the fall of 1877, where he was hired as a part-time janitor to aid his expenses. He excelled in his studies at Brigham Young Academy, was chosen a member of the Normal Class, and soon became a teacher in the BYA Primary Department.

He started to study school organization and continued with his schooling until one day President Maeser called him to his office and told him they needed missionaries in the Islands. Cluff wondered aloud if he should not first finish his schooling, but Maeser assured him that his schooling was primarily intended to prepare him for a mission, and that his mission would prepare him for life.

Though the call was unexpected and school was just starting, he left in October of 1878, had a successful mission, and returned to BYA in 1882. [He appears to have graduated from high school in 1883 -- need more research.]

We are continuing to research to determine in which year Benjamin Cluff graduated from high school as a Normal student, and what collegiate classes he completed at Brigham Young Academy.

In any case, his teaching experiences created a deep desire in Cluff to further his education. In 1886, he requested and was given a leave of absence from his responsibilities in the BYA Primary Department, and he traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan where he enrolled in the University of Michigan. There he bought a coal oil lamp and began to study. He received his bachelor's and master's degree from this university.

At the University of Michigan Benjamin Cluff, Jr. distinguished himself as a scholar, and polished his skills as a writer and debator by defending the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in print and in open debates.

Cluff formed a close friendship with James Burrill Angell, then president of the University of Michigan. This association deeply influenced his views of education.

While at Michigan Cluff was also exposed to the works of several of the most influential educators of his time. Among these men were Charles W. Eliot, John Dewey and Aaron B. Hinsdale. He dreamed of taking many of these new educational ideas back to Brigham Young Academy and using them to strengthen the academic reputation of his alma mater.

Cluff returned to Brigham Young Academy in 1890 and was engaged as an instructor in Mathematics, and also appointed assistant principal. In 1892 he was appointed third principal of Brigham Young Academy.

Immediately after he replaced the legendary Karl G. Maeser as principal of BYA, he began to moved the high school toward becoming both a high school and a university, until he was replaced by George Brimhall in 1895.

When the new Academy Building was dedicated on January 4, 1892, the principalship of the Academy formally passed from Karl G. Maeser to Benjamin Cluff, Jr.

It was a memorable occasion and an estimated 1,000 people had gathered for the ceremonies.

But when the dedicatory services for the Academy Building were over and while the tributes to "Brother Maeser" were still ringing in the new principal's ears, Benjamin Cluff, Jr., turned his attention to the hard realities of his new position.

There were three main concerns which immediately occupied his attention.

The first was the proposed establishment of a university in Salt Lake City which was to be the center of the Church educational system. Cluff felt this move was a serious threat to the support or even the survival of Brigham Young Academy.

The second problem was the deterioration of the financial condition of the school during the last years of Maeser's administration.

And third, Cluff knew that if he were to improve the scholastic standing and educational program of the Academy he would need to obtain greater support from the General Authorities and the General Board of Education.

The greatest problem that confronted Cluff was the worst financial crisis in the history of the Academy — even worse than the crises during the Maeser administration.

Benjamin Cluff, Jr., finally came to the conclusion that the only real solution to the Academy's financial problems was incorporation by the Church.

He wrote that "one evening while returning from a walk down town and while studying deeply over the future of the Academy, the thought came to me like an inspiration: 'Give the school to the Church.' Immediately my mind was at rest. I knew that it was the right thing to do."

Although this same suggestion had been made and rejected a number of times in the past, on July 18, 1896, the Board of Trustees succeeded in incorporating the school.

Cluff worked to lengthen class periods from half an hour to one hour, increase expectations of the faculty, increase the reading and writing requirements expected of students, and add new courses to the curriculum. It is possible that even at this early date Cluff was harboring dreams that the Academy could become a university —- a dream that would become reality in name in 1903.

In 1891 Cluff inaugurated a Summer School designed to provide in-service training for local teachers. The instructor of the Summer School was to be a prominent educator. Colonel Francis W. Parker of the Cook County Normal College was the first instructor in 1892. Other instructors included James Baldwin from the University of Texas and Burk A. Hinsdale from the University of Michigan. Cluff actively encouraged educators to come to Utah and share their knowledge with the students and faculty of Brigham Young Academy.

The traditions established during Cluff’s administration continue to play a large role in the evolving history of Brigham Young University.



Yawn. Once again, you're stuck in a boring math class. Luckily, the class lasts only half an hour. In fact, all classes are only half an hour.

You are in Provo, but you're not at BYU. And although half-hour classes sound good, other aspects of this new learning environment might not be so appealing.

For example, at this time of year, everyone is packing luggage because there is no such thing as summer semester. Your tuition bill is due soon, and there are no student loans to bail you out. Although you love playing basketball, intercollegiate sports are nonexistent. There is no college newspaper. And you won't begin your classes with prayer because, after all, the school is not owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Imagine Brigham Young Academy without Benjamin Cluff, Jr.

Cluff was the third principal of Brigham Young Academy, and the first president of Brigham Young University. Cluff made many decisions during his 12-year tenure that laid the foundation of BYU as we know it today.

Cluff was born to parents Benjamin and Mary Ella on 7 February 1858. As a 19-year-old librarian in Coalville, Cluff heard about Brigham Young Academy, an institution then still in its infancy.



Although by today's standards this journey would be considered heroic, Cluff's achievements were just beginning. After spending a year at BYA, Cluff traveled to the University of Michigan,

in addition to serving a mission to Hawaii as a young man.

Cluff returned to BYA and, according to his biography, was critical of the academy. He wanted to introduce new studies, institute modern teaching methods, and incorporate faith with scientific learning.

Cluff got a chance to make these changes when he succeeded Maeser as principal of BYA on the 4 January 1892. In perhaps his most far-reaching decision, Cluff convinced the Church of Jesus Christ to incorporate Brigham Young Academy on 18 July 1896, thereby rescuing BYA from financial ruin.

By the time Cluff retired on 23 December 1903, BYA had become BYU, and resembled the university students attend today. Cluff had changed class from half an hour to an hour long, adopted blue and white as the official university colors, encouraged the first student newspaper, established summer school, created the Alumni Association, provided the first student loans and developed an intercollegiate sports system.

According to an article written by Charleen Winters last year, Cluff was admired by his students.

"Benjamin Cluff was a strong and resourceful leader who ranks among the leading educators of Utah," said Bryant Hinckley, one of Cluff's former students. "In his prime he was a man to be reckoned with - a good organizer, fearless, and aggressive."

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BENJAMIN Cluff Jr. rejoined the Brigham Young Academy (BYA) faculty in 1890 after studying at the University of Michigan. Eager to adopt teaching methods and traditions he had observed there, he introduced many new ideas and supported several others during his administration. The following are some highlights of his administration.

Education

• Brigham Young Academy became Brigham Young University.

• Class periods were changed from one-half hour to one hour.

• Cluff introduced summer school and imported leading American educators as instructors.

• BYA began a missionary training program.

• Cluff formed the Student Loan Association.

• Cluff stressed higher learning among faculty and students; many went east for additional education.

Extracurricular Activities

• Intercollegiate athletics were introduced to BYA.

• The Athletic Association was organized.

• The academy adopted school colors—blue and white—as the first educational institution in Utah to do so.

• Annie Pike Greenwood wrote the "College Song."

• Class organizations were initiated, beginning with the class of 1891.

• Cluff instituted Founders Day, featuring concerts, dances, parades, ball games, athletic meets, cross-country races, and academic processions.

• The school's first viable newspaper, the White and Blue, began publication.

Other

• Cluff persuaded leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to incorporate BYA as a subsidiary.

• The Alumni Association was organized.

• Several new facilities were endowed: Holt Laboratory of Physics, Magleby Laboratory of Chemistry, Hinckley Laboratory of Natural Sciences, Beckstead Laboratory of General Mechanics, and Warren Smith Library of General Science Works.

• College Hall and the Training School Building were built during his administration; the Missionary-Preparatory Building was completed nine months after his resignation.

• The student body grew from 386 to 825; the faculty increased from 28 to 57; and the library expanded from 1,053 to 5,432 volumes.
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When the Brigham Young Academy Building was dedicated Jan. 4, 1892, the students not only received a new facility, they got a new principal as well.

At the time, beloved leader Karl G. Maeser said of himself and the new building, "The old man taught in a cabin, but they have built a palace for his boys."

The first principal to serve in the new building was Benjamin Cluff Jr., the Academy's former assistant principal and a scholar armed with substantial credentials from the University of Michigan.

Cluff became an academic innovator whose contributions can still be felt at BYU. Many of the traditions and educational ideals that characterized Cluff's 12-year administration remain vital today.

Born Feb. 7, 1858, to Benjamin and Mary Ella Cluff, Cluff received a casual frontier education gleaned largely from nature and the lessons taught by his mother.

At about age 15, though, he developed a love for books and a passion for learning that became lifelong. When he was 19 and serving as librarian for the small town of Coalville, Utah, he learned about the fledgling Brigham Young Academy. Eager for learning, he set off on foot to make the 65-mile trek to Provo. (He found a ride after stopping overnight to visit an uncle on a ranch between Park City and Kamas.)

He became known for his relentless push for improving education. After his first year at the Academy, he was offered an instructor's position, but he was called to serve a mission in Hawaii. When he returned, in 1882, the teaching job was again offered, and Cluff became an instructor at the Academy.

Cluff stayed nearly four years and received a bachelor's degree. He eventually earned a master's degree by studying in absentia. At the time such degrees were relatively rare certifications.

Cluff returned to Brigham Young Academy and "did not hesitate to express himself regarding the limitations" he perceived at the academy, wrote his biographers, Eugene L. Roberts and Mrs. Eldon Reed Cluff, in Benjamin Cluff Junior. He aggressively recommended new courses of study with up-to-date teaching methods and believed the school could achieve a synthesis of faith and science. Cluff was named assistant principal soon after his return.

Cluff succeeded Maeser, and as the school's leader initiated many reforms (see BYA under Benjamin Cluff ). By the time he completed his tenure Dec. 23, 1903, the school had become Brigham Young University and he was its first president.

One of his former students, Bryant S. Hinckley, said of him, "Benjamin Cluff was a strong and resourceful leader who ranks among the leading educators of Utah. In his prime he was a man to be reckoned with—a good organizer, fearless, and aggressive."

Benjamin Cluff, Jr., was a member of the Brigham Young Academy faculty. He taught Mathematics, Psychology and Bookkeeping from 1883 to 1903. He was the third man to serve as principal of BY Academy between 1892 and 1895. He had the distinction of becoming the first president of Brigham Young University in 1903.

Benjamin Cluff, Jr. earned a place in the history of Brigham Young University as its modern-day educational architect. His interest in the latest educational innovations and his passion for teaching students led him to implement changes that greatly strengthened the academic offerings of Brigham Young Academy, and laid the groundwork for the eventual accreditation of Brigham Young University in the 1920s.

He married Mary Jane John [BYA student] on August 16, 1883. He second married Harriet Cullmore on December 17, 1886. He third married Florence Reynolds in Mexico. Benjamin Cluff, Jr., died on June 16, 1948 in California at 90 years of age.

The Benjamin Cluff Jr. Annual Lecture was established in 2003. It is designed to bring the nation’s top educators to the Brigham Young University campus to expose students to new ideas and foster a growing dialogue about how to make education better. It is a fitting tribute to the man who laid the academic foundation for what has become one of the nation’s largest and most successful private institutions of higher education.

Brigham Young Academy Faculty, 1892

The first faculty to serve under Benjamin Cluff, Jr., posed on the steps to the Principal's entrance of the new Academy Building in 1892:

1. Emil Maeser, 2. George F. Phillips, 3. Joseph B. Keeler,
4. Lars E. Eggertson, 5. Ottilie Maeser, 6. Mary Woodruff,
7. Bryant S. Hinckley, 8. Edward H. Holt, 9. Nels Lars Nelson,
10. Anna K. Craig, 11. Benjamin Cluff, Jr., 12. Irene B. Mendenhall,
13. Milton H. Hardy, 14. Amy Brown, 15. Olof W. Andelin,
16. Henry E. Giles, 17. George H. Brimhall, 18. Walter M. Wolfe,
19. Christina D. Young, and 20. Wilford M. McKendrick.

BYH Biographies