Guide to the University of the Third Age records
Finding aid prepared by Ashley Toutain
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Telephone: 619-260-2730
Email: spcoll@sandiego.edu
© 2016
Overview of the Collection
Title:
University of the Third Age records
Date (inclusive): 1978-1984
Collection number: USDA_2009_012
Creator: University of San Diego, University of the Third Age
Extent:
1 box (.5 linear feet)
Repository:
University of San Diego, Archives and Special Collections
Copley Library
5998 Alcalá Park
San Diego, CA 92110
Abstract:
These records document the establishment of the University of the Third Age at the University of San Diego. Established
in 1978, the USD University of the Third Age is a program for 55+ individuals to continue with lifelong education.
Languages:
English
Historical Note
The idea for an educational program for retired individuals, the University of the Third Age, was initially conceived by Pierre
Vellas, a professor at the University of Toulouse, France, in 1972. Vellas saw the growing number of elderly individuals in
France and believed that bringing them into the university environment among undergraduates, with intellectual stimulation
and physical exercise, would slow the negative effects of aging. Vellas' program involved volunteer participation by undergraduate
students; physical exercise through walking, jogging, swimming, and calisthenics; and lectures, roundtables, and field trips
covering a broad range of topics. Vellas' program had such success that by 1978 the program was copied in 32 campuses throughout
France and internationally in Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and Canada.
Retired Marine Corps General Victor Krulak is credited with broaching the idea of bringing a University of the Third Age program
to USD. President Author Hughes saw value in the program and began planning for a pilot program in August 1978. The pilot
program mirrored Vellas' idea, with approximately 50 students attending five weeks of courses in physical conditioning, current
affairs, law, economics, religion, medicine, retirement, language, and art. Undergraduate students were also involved in helping
with the program. Press for inaugural year was accompanied by a documentary film broadcast by KCST-TV 39 San Diego. The film,
which aired in November 1978, covered why the program was founded and documented what took place during the first University
session.
The University of the Third Age expanded to be offered twice per year, in winter and summer, and to enroll more students.
The program has continued for nearly forty years and is the longest running community outreach program offered by the University
of San Diego.
Scope and Content Note
The University of the Third Age records document the foundational years of the program. Records include plans and reports
about the program and solicitation for funding. News articles, correspondence, and the script for the November 1978 documentary,
broadcast by KCST-TV 39 San Diego, are included. Also included are records about establishing an Alumni association for the
University, the graduation ceremony, programs for the early years of the university, and information about the courses taught.
In addition to the administrative files are newspaper clippings and press releases related to the program.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series:
Records are arranged in alphabetical order.
Access Information
These records are open for research.
Preferred citation
[Folder Title], Box # Folder #, University of the Third Age records, Copley Library, University of San Diego, Archives and
Special Collections.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Tessie Camina in 2009. Further processing was conducted by Ashley Toutain in 2016.
Related Material
The 1978 documentary video is available for view in the University Archives and Special Collections.
Index Terms
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Krulak, Victor H.
Hughes, Author E.
Vellas, Pierre
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of San Diego
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego (Calif.)
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of the Third Age movement
continuing education
Series I:
Administrative Records,
1978-1984
Scope and Content Note
Administrative records consist of reports, planning information, schedules, programs, and correspondence associated with the
beginning year of the University of the Third Age.
Box/Folder: 1 / 1
Alumni Steering Committee meetings,
1979
Box/Folder: 1 / 2
Alumni Association Correspondence and By-Laws,
1978,
1981,
1984
Box/Folder: 1 / 3
Course Daily Schedules,
1978
Box/Folder: 1 / 6
Employee Bill Ritter Correspondence,
1979
Box/Folder: 1 / 7
Graduation Program,
1978 August
Box/Folder: 1 / 10
Krulak, V. H. [Victor H.] Correspondence,
1978-1979
Box/Folder: 1 / 11
Letter of Appreciation - President Hughes,
1978,
1979
Box/Folder: 1 / 12
Luncheon Guest List,
1978
Box/Folder: 1 / 13
Notes on Members' Physical Conditioning,
undated
Box/Folder: 1 / 15
Program Film Documentary,
1979
Scope and Content Note
[Includes text of President Author Hughes remarks as part of the documentary.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 16
Program Film Documentary Preview,
1978 October 30
Scope and Content Note
[Includes news articles about the documentary.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 17
Program Film Documentary Script,
1978
Box/Folder: 1 / 18
Program for Seniors Announcement,
1981
Box/Folder: 1 / 19
Program Schedule,
1982-1984
Box/Folder: 1 / 21
Remarks - President Hughes,
1979
Box/Folder: 1 / 22
Report,
1979
Scope and Content Note
[Report of the second year of the University of the Third Age. The report includes information about the courses, student
reactions, and copies of news articles and photographs.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 24
Solicitation of Funding,
1979
Scope and Content Note
[Includes a book highlighting the founding of the University of the Third Age and what it does.]
Box/Folder: 1 / 25
Student Directory,
1978-1979
Box/Folder: 1 / 26
Students' Welcome Packet,
1978
Box/Folder: 1 / 27
Summer Program Booklet,
1978
Box/Folder: 1 / 28
Thank You Letter [to Storer Broadcasting KCST-TV for the documentary film],
1978
Series II:
News Items,
1964-1980,
1995
Scope and Content Note
News items consist of news clippings and releases related to the University of the Third Age. These include announcements
about the program, and notices for graduating individuals.
Box/Folder: 1 / 33
News Releases,
1979-1980
Scope and Content Note
[About individual graduates.]