A remarkable piece of Cleary University’s history has returned home.
During a recent meeting of the Cleary University Board of Trustees, Pat Cleary II, grandson of university founder Patrick Roger Cleary, presented the university with a treasured family heirloom — a pocket watch that once belonged to the founder himself. The gift adds another meaningful chapter to the university’s rich history and will soon be displayed for students, employees, alumni and visitors to enjoy.
The elegant timepiece has a story that dates back nearly 140 years. Patrick Roger Cleary gave the pocket watch as a Christmas gift to his fiancée, Helen Clarke Jenks, in 1888. Inside the watch case is a heartfelt inscription that reads:
“Merry Christmas, HELEN, 1888.”
Just six months later, Patrick and Helen were married in June 1889, beginning a lifelong partnership that would help shape the institution that would become Cleary University.
The watch also reflects the Cleary family’s enduring commitment to the university. According to family history, the watch’s cover originally held a precious gemstone, believed to have been a diamond. After the devastating Cyclone of 1893 damaged the college, the family believes the gemstone was removed and sold to help fund repairs, ensuring the institution could continue serving students despite one of the greatest challenges in its early history.
“This pocket watch represents the vision, sacrifice and dedication of the Cleary family to education,” said Cleary University President Alan Drimmer. “We are honored that the Clearys chose to entrust this important artifact to the university, where it can be preserved and shared with future generations.”
The watch serves as a tangible reminder of the university’s origins and the people whose perseverance established a legacy that continues today.
Cleary University extends its sincere gratitude to Pat Cleary II and the Cleary family for this generous gift and their continued commitment to preserving the university’s history.
The pocket watch has been placed on public display in the glass exhibit case located in the front lobby of the Lyons Center, where members of the campus community and visitors will have the opportunity to view this extraordinary piece of Cleary heritage firsthand.
