UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 10, Page 1
November 5, 1992
John M. Clayton Hall to celebrate its 20 years

     Construction has begun on the University of Delaware's $3,320,320
Continuing Education and Conference Center, a building designed to
provide a central location for those taking non-credit continuing
education courses at the university or those attending seminars,
workshops, institutes and conferences in Newark." So reads a
University of Delaware press release dated Sept. 29, 1970.
     The subject of the release is Clayton Hall, today beginning its
20th anniversary celebration.
     Ground was broken for the facility on Oct. 7, 1970. Slightly over
two years later, on Nov. 5, 1972, the building was formally dedicated.
     Prior to the dedication, a datestone was set, including a relic
box with a memoir of John M. Clayton published by the Historical
Society of Delaware in 1882, Division of Continuing Education
bulletins, the dedication program and photographs of various stages of
Clayton Hall's construction.
     Clayton Hall cost approximately $3.9 million in state and other
funds. Vincent C. Kling & Partners of Philadelphia designed the
building, and it was constructed by Ernest DiSabatino & Sons Inc. of
Wilmington.
     Built of white stucco with stone accent walls, Clayton Hall has a
black, sloping roof and bronze-colored windows. The vestibule opens
into a large skylit lounge-the focal point of the building.
     The building features 14 conference rooms on the entrance floor,
a 500-seat auditorium, a 140-seat "case study" room with equipment for
simultaneous translation and 7,700 square feet of exhibition space
plus luncheon, dinner and banquet facilities. The two-story south wing
houses continuing education offices.
     In keeping with its modern spirit the building has an electric
flagpole that automatically raises and lowers the flag, storing it in
its staff. The flagpole also lowers the flag during inclement
weather.
     Clayton Hall was named for one of Delaware's most distinguished
citizens. Born in Dagsboro on July 24, 1796, John Middleton Clayton
grew up and received his early education in Delaware and Maryland.
     He graduated from Yale University with highest honors in 1815 and
was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
     Clayton returned to Delaware and studied law with his cousin,
Thomas Clayton, a lawyer and politician.
     For a brief time, he was clerk of the Delaware Senate before
attending law school in Litchfield, Conn.
     He was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1819.
     Clayton married Sarah Ann Fischer of Kent in 1822, and they had
two sons before her death in l825. He never remarried.
     Clayton served as Delaware's secretary of state and became the
youngest member of the U.S. Senate in 1828. He served until l837 when
he became chief justice of the State of Delaware.
     In 1840, Clayton was approached about running for the U.S. vice
presidency with William Henry Harrison.
     He declined. President Harrison died one month into office, and
John Tyler became the l0th president of the United States.
     Clayton returned to the Senate in 1845. When Zachary Taylor
became president in 1849, he made Clayton his secretary of state, a
position he held until Taylor's death 16 months later.
     Clayton returned to the Senate in 1852. He died in l856 in Dover
at the home of his niece.
     Clayton first became associated with New Ark College when he was
appointed a trustee in 1833. His second term began in 1851. In 1852
Delaware College was having financial problems and to show his support
of the school, he doubled his subscription, an action soon followed by
other trustees.
     He continued serving as a trustee until his death.
                                        -Sue Swyers Moncure