Nauvoo University

This article is about the 2009 institution. For the 1840s institution, see University of Nauvoo.

Nauvoo University was a private academic institution organized by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in Nauvoo, Illinois.[1] It began operating in 2009 and ceased operating the following year.

University of Nauvoo (1841–45)

After the Mormons had been expelled from Missouri, they crossed into Illinois and settled in Nauvoo in 1839. They were granted a city charter from the Illinois state legislature in December 1840, which included authorization to found a university. The school was founded in 1841 as the University of the City of Nauvoo, or the University of Nauvoo.[1][2]

The University of Nauvoo ended after the 1844 murder of Joseph Smith, when the interest of many church leaders moved toward westward migration.[3] It served as the inspiration for the Nauvoo University of 2009.

Nauvoo University was intended to be a reorganization of its 1840s predecessor. It took its mission statement from Joseph Smith's comment on the old university:

The University of the City of Nauvoo will enable us to teach our children wisdom—to instruct them in all knowledge, and learning, in the Arts, Sciences and Learned Professions. We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it, to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility, and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness.[4]

Like LDS Church-owned colleges, such as Brigham Young University (BYU), and other LDS-related colleges such as Southern Virginia University, Nauvoo University promoted the moral standards of the LDS Church.[4]

Board of Trustees

The school drew interest from leaders and educators from the LDS community and the areas of Nauvoo, western Illinois, and southeastern Iowa. Its governing body was a 24-member Board of Trustees:[5]

NameSignificanceResidence
Dell K. AllenTechnology professor at BYU and Utah State University and inventorLogan, Utah
Charles BairExecutive Director of the Western Illinois Economic Development AuthorityCarthage, Illinois
Dr. Susan Easton BlackNoted lecturer and Professor of Church History, BYUProvo, Utah
William FillmorePast associate general counsel for BYU and Attorney, FillmoreSpencer LLCUtah
J. Phil HarropExecutive Director, John Stoddard Cancer Center. BS from BYU; MBA, MHA from The Ohio State UniversityDes Moines, Iowa
Dr. Evan L. IvieManager at Bell Labs, BYU professor, and past Director of BYU-NauvooNauvoo, Illinois
Michael A. KennedyPresident of the Joseph and Emma Smith AssociationAlpine, Utah
David F. KingCPA, founding partner of King, King, Alleman & JensenNauvoo, Illinois
Dr. Clive D. MoonResearch chemist, chemistry professor and businessman, Nauvoo, University
J. Samuel ParkPast president of the Nauvoo-Illinois Mission and Utah businessmanSalt Lake City, Utah
Hugh PiercePast mayor of Nauvoo, LDS Church leader and Nauvoo businessmanNauvoo, Illinois
Dr. Anthony PiñaDean at Sullivan University. BA and M.Ed. from BYU, Ed.D. from La Sierra UniversityLouisville, Kentucky
Vee WilsonPresident of the Desert Valley AcademyMoapa, Nevada

By January 2009, Harrop, having expressed concerns regarding the lack of operational and financial preparedness for opening the university in fall 2009, was no longer a member of the board of trustees.[6] By July 2010, Black and Bell were no longer members of the board.[7]

First year and indefinite closure

The university opened in fall 2009, anticipating around 50 students and 20 employees as faculty, administration, and staff.[8] It planned to organize as a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution.[1] The school anticipated future donations to help it survive.[9]

Chris Benedict, one of the first students at the University, won the U.S. Cyber Challenge in Washington D.C. in December 2009.[10]

Among the members of Nauvoo University's faculty as of summer 2010 was Clayne Robison, former director of BYU's Opera Program. His wife, Vivien Robison, who had been a part-time faculty member at BYU and sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, was also on the faculty. Evan L. Ivie, who has a Ph.D. from MIT and was a professor of Computer Science at BYU for several years, was another early faculty member. Ivie had been director of the BYU Nauvoo program from 2002 until it was discontinued in 2006. Nauvoo University expected more retired professors would to come to teach in the city and local church members would assist in its beginnings.[9]

Realizing difficulties in its first year, the organization changed its name to "Nauvoo Study Program," then in September 2010 it was discontinued indefinitely.[9][11] In a letter posted to the school's website, Evan Ivie cited insufficient donations, faculty, staff, and students as contributing to this decision.[9]

The Nauvoo Studies Program, as of 2017, continued operation. The program consists of 15 weeks of lectures related to the early history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The program is designed for students who are enrolled in a college. Many students take college courses at other institutions while enrolled in the program. [12]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 "Welcome". Nauvoo University. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  2. ↑ http://newnewsnet.byu.edu/pdf/du20090604.pdf
  3. ↑ Gardner, David P. (1992). "Education: Attitudes Toward Education". Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  4. 1 2 "Mission Statement". Nauvoo University. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  5. ↑ Nauvoo University Trustees
  6. ↑ listing of the Nauvoo University board of trustees, accessed on January 6, 2009
  7. ↑ listing of the Nauvoo University board of trustees, accessed on July 26, 2010
  8. ↑ "Nauvoo University opens fall of 2009". Mormon Times. May 29, 2009. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Evan Ivie. "Status Report on Nauvoo University". Nauvoo University. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  10. ↑ Mormon Times, Dec. 24, 2009
  11. ↑ "Quick Facts". Nauvoo University. Retrieved 2010-09-09.
  12. ↑ Randall, C.A. (April 24, 2017). "New Nauvoo Studies program is accepting applications for fall 2017 and winter 2018" Deseret News. Accessed at: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865678353/New-Nauvoo-Studies-program-is-accepting-applications-for-fall-2017-and-winter-2018.html
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