The late Elder Neal A. Maxwell, Quorum of the Twelve, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was much more than a church leader. He also was an outstanding educator, serving at various times as both teacher and educational administrator, speakers said Friday during a special tribute.
It was the non-church legacy of Elder Maxwell that was highlighted in a special belated tribute held in the University of Utah's Gould Auditorium in the Marriott Library.
More than 200 people attended the one-hour program dedicated to Elder Maxwell, who spent more than 14 years working and teaching at the University of Utah. He also served later as the LDS Church's commissioner of education.
Elder Maxwell, 78, died July 21, 2004, after a long battle with leukemia.
Michael K. Young, new U. president, said Elder Maxwell had at least 14 different jobs during his 1956-71 tenure at the university, ranging from journalist to fund raiser to professor to administrator. Some of the jobs didn't even have titles. However, Young said, the late church leader was someone special and important to the university.
"He knew and he cared," Young said about Elder Maxwell's teaching style.
One of his jobs involved hosting an educational TV interview show on campus.
"He was our 'Larry King' for many years, for 10 years," Young said.
Jim Jardine of the State Board of Regents organized the program, being a former student of Elder Maxwell.
"He truly was a son of the University of Utah," Jardine said. He also noted that the late apostle was an excellent bridge-builder among people with varied talents.
Ron Coleman, another former student and now a professor of history at the U., said Elder Maxwell was an extraordinarily gifted teacher. He had excellent command of the English language and could teach a two-hour class without notes of any kind.
Jim Mayfield, a member of the political science faculty, where Elder Maxwell at one time taught, said he's another of "Neal's boys."
He said Elder Maxwell's true legacy lies in trying to improve education — something "all of us can continue to work at.
He was a true mentor . . . He carried enormous impact," Mayfield said. "Neal Maxwell epitomized what it means to be a good teacher."
Professor Chandran Kukathas currently holds the chair that was established in the U.'s political science department in Elder Maxwell's honor.
Although Kukathas said he only met Elder Maxwell once, he is "doubly honored to hold the Maxwell chair." He also said he was surprised to learn that Elder Maxwell was not one of those typically "worthy, but obscure professors." He was very well-known throughout Utah.
Elder Maxwell's wife, Colleen, also received two special resolutions, one from the Board of Regents and another from the U. trustees, honoring her late husband's accomplishments in the field of education.
Elder Maxwell graduated from the U. in 1952 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He completed a master's degree, also in political science, at the U. in 1961. His calling as an LDS General Authority started in 1974.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com