Brigham Young Academy Principal Karl G. Maeser, known as the “spiritual architect” of BYU, established a tradition of learning by study and by faith. To mark the university’s 150th anniversary, journalism students explored Maeser’s lasting legacy by creating a documentary and accompanying magazine.
“Not being able to talk to the person who the whole documentary is about is challenging,” says faculty mentor Melissa True Gibbs (BA ’01, MA ’21). With limited photos of Maeser and nonexistent video, the students and their mentors went back to the places Maeser once walked to tell the story visually. In Germany, his home country, and England, where he served a mission, they spoke with historians and Church members. “We were . . . really happy with all of the beautiful scenes we were able to capture,” says Olivia Wettengel Sedgwick (BA ’25).
Before immigrating to Utah and becoming BYU’s founding principal, Maeser was a schoolteacher. “He made so many sacrifices,” says Wettengel, like following a prophet’s call from a more comfortable life in Salt Lake City to teach in the frontier town of Provo. “He never did anyof it for his own recognition or gain; he did it because he genuinely felt that it was God’s will, . . . and he wanted to help others.”
Interviews with Maeser biographer A. LeGrand Richards (BS ’75, PhD ’82), descendants of Maeser, and BYU President C. Shane Reese (BS ’94, MS ’95) helped the story find its footing. “As soon as we were able to focus on [Maeser’s] philosophies and character, the storytelling became a lot easier,” says Amy Ortiz (BA ’25).
The students premiered their film on campus in September as part of the university’s sesquicentennial celebrations.
“Karl G. Maeser created a unique institution,” says Gibbs. “He brought the spiritual and academic together, which is still a core pillar of BYU.”
