USD Magazine, Summer 1995

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board of trustees. "It's hard to believe that a man can bring together so many constituencies and still be so universally respected and liked, but he's never failed to bring people together." Hughes has spent 24 years bringing people together for one common purpose, to better the lives of those who are associated with the University of San Diego. His true legacy lies not in the buildings or the grounds of USD, but in the people who study, live and work at Alcala Park. Through all the changes that have taken place over the past two and a half decades at USD, Art Hughes has always trusted people to do what is right, and they have rewarded that trust by helping him build a stellar institution of higher education. "I've never felt like I was out on a limb alone," Hughes says. "The way we've always operated here is that when I have a dif– ficult decision to make, I don't just sit here and ponder by myself. I go to the people involved and we hash things out. It's a matter of having hammered out all the alternatives. And you sleep better when you've really pounded them out." Sleep well, Author E. Hughes. Although he is retiring from USD, Author E. Hughes doesn't plan to stop working. Hughes recently announced that he has accepted a part-time position as senior consultant in higher education with The James Irvine Foundation. He also will remain at USD on a part-time basis to assist in the presidential transition and to complete fund-raising and public relations commitments. Special thanks to the following individuals who provided back– ground information and invaluable assistance in preparing this article: Iris Engstrand, Marjorie Hughes, Charlie King '62, Maureen (Pecht) King '64 and Father William Shipley.

ince he arrived at Alcala Park in 1971, USD President Author E. Hughes has spoken loudly and clearly on behalf of higher education in local and national arenas. As the voice for his campus - and as the representative of an independent institution in a nation that favors public institutions - Hughes says he has not only the opportunity, but the responsibility, to do so. His involvement includes leadership roles in a number of organizations that represent independent campuses, from the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities . Hughes' efforts over the years have been geared to soliciting the involvement of fellow presidents and trustees in the issues confronting their independent institutions, meeting with legislators on state and national policy issues and, as president of a Catholic university, under– standing and furthering the relationship with the Roman Catholic Church. "Art Hughes is extremely committed to the concept of independent higher educa– tion," says Richard Rosser, who was president of NAICU when Hughes served as chair of the board. "He's a very thoughtful, wise, elder statesman, one of a handful of truly exceptional leaders in education today." As part of the NAICU board, Hughes helped develop a much-needed long– range plan for the organization and, as part of that plan, helped organize a sum– mit meeting of presidents and trustees in Washington, D.C. About 1,700 presi– dents and trustees attended the meeting, which focused on the national issues fac – ing their institutions . "It also included a massive descent on the capital by all of these people to impress upon the Congress and the administration what our problems are," Hughes says. "As a result of that came the amendments to the Higher Education Act of 1965, many of which were good and some of which were not so good." Those that were not so good concerned the government wanting to get involved in the accreditation process by setting regulations and becoming a partner in the judgment of all public and private colleges and universities. (conlinuedonpa.:fe 14)

1995 • Inaugural Author E. Hughes Career Achievement Awards presented to alumni for · outstanding achievement in their career fields. • Author E. and Marjorie A. Hughes Administration Center dedicated. • President Author E. Hugh es retires, June JO. • President Alice B. Hayes takes office,July 1.

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