Karl G. Maeser, second president of Brigham Young Academy and personal role model for those who knew him, continues to enrich the lives of BYU students as they research and honor him during Homecoming this year.

"He had the ability to inspire as few have inspired," said Alice Louise Reynolds, former student of Maeser, in a survey given by BYU about the most influential teacher. "He made his students feel the worth of life; he told us that the Lord had sent each of us to do some special work, and that the proper preparation was necessary for that mission."

BYU honors a different founder every year during Homecoming. This year they are honoring Maeser, born in Germany, who moved to Utah and was appointed by Brigham Young as the principal of BYA. There were only 29 students and he was the only teacher. After some crisis he decided to take a job elsewhere, but had a vision that convinced him to stay.

"I have changed my mind," Maeser said. "I have had a dream- I have seen Temple Hill [BYU campus] filled with buildings- great temple of learning, and I have decided to remain and do my part in contributing to the fulfillment of that dream."

Maeser stayed and continued to impact the lives of his students. John C. Swensen wrote in his journal about an uplifting encounter he had with Maeser:

"After about two weeks in Provo, though only twelve miles from home [Pleasant Grove], I had my first case of homesickness. I had such a feeling of inferiority, but about the time when I was feeling much depressed Brother Maeser met me on the street. He greeted me most cordially and said, 'How are you my boy?' and shook hands with me. His greeting was so unexpected that I lost all sense of loneliness in the presence of his genial personality and his warm friendly interest and went on my way rejoicing."

Students today continue to be impacted by Maeser as they live the honor code and read about his word of honor.

"I have been asked what I mean by 'word of honor.' I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls-walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground-there is a possibility that in some way or another I may escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of that circle? No. Never! I'd die first."

Copyright Brigham Young University 14 Sep 2007