University of the Third Age Provides Impactful Community Outreach

University of the Third Age Provides Impactful Community Outreach

U3A

For three weeks in July, the University of San Diego hosted the University of the Third Age (U3A), part of the university’s Professional and Continuing Education program.

Aimed at providing attendees with insight into a variety of topics, the program enabled participants to enroll in an educational and enjoyable experience while taking in all that the campus and surrounding community had to offer.

In its 37th year on campus, University of the Third Age is the longest running USD community outreach program.

“[It] feels so gratifying to know that USD has such a profound effect on people’s lives. Education can literally keep students young,” said Jodi Waterhouse (pictured), the program’s director. “I challenge them each session with topics they’ve never heard of, presenters that challenge them to think outside of the box, and activities that they never dreamed of participating in.”

Available to those ages 55+, the program provided attendees with sessions focused on topics such as drones, desalination, faith, and health. The program also gave participants the chance to visit Balboa Park for the centennial celebration and to learn more about the history of Petco Park.

“Retirement is not meant to slow down, instead it should accelerate life-long learning opportunities that U3A attendees might not have had time to do while working,” Waterhouse said. “One way we do this is to keep our U3A attendees intellectually stimulated (mind), provide physical exercise (body), and socially engage with old and new friends (soul).”

Among the presentations this summer was the session, “Will Cora Evans Become the First Woman Saint of California?” Speaking to a packed Warren Auditorium in Mother Rosalie Hill Hall, USD alumnus Michael McDevitt ’63 discussed the possibility for the canonization of Cora Evans while outlining the steps for determining sainthood. The work done by McDevitt has been made possible in part by fellow USD alumnus Bert Degheri '61, who has been involved in the initiative funding of the canonization process.

McDevitt, who has a BA in business administration from USD, is the author of The Unseen Power of Prayer – A Catholic Perspective, and became interested in Cora Evans when, in 1992, he became custodian for her writings. The new role greatly impacted his life. McDevitt said he saw this new chapter as a way to continue Cora’s mission.

Finding it an important story to tell, McDevitt brought his presentation to University of the Third Age because of the inclusiveness of the forum and the chance to discuss elements of the Catholic identity. For him, Cora’s story is unique because of the possibility for sainthood of a woman who converted from Mormonism to Catholicism.

“The life of a layperson, a wife and mother, and mystic, who suffered greatly for her Catholic faith is a story that [resonates] with the audience,” said McDevitt (pictured, left) said.

Seeing the USD campus as ideal for outreach, both McDevitt and Waterhouse recognized the opportunity to reach a wider audience and to encourage greater learning and involvement among other community members.

“The University of San Diego campus is ideal for community outreach,” McDevitt said. “The state-of-the-art facility and the fact that the community is allowed access to the School of Leadership is an added incentive.”

“USD Professional and Continuing Education becomes the portal where the community (locally, regionally, nationally and internationally) can benefit from the plethora of resources that USD offers, such as outstanding faculty, fantastic curriculums, and unique niche programs,” said Waterhouse.

University of the Third Age program runs twice a year, as it will return for another three-week run January 11-28, 2016.

For Waterhouse, who has been with the program for 19 of its 37 years, her hope is for a continued focus on life-long learning at the university, hoping to eventually see a center established on USD’s campus.

“Students come in all ages, and as a university we have a responsibility to be the educational partner long after a student has graduated with their degrees. Life-long learning never ends,” said Waterhouse. “I’m hopeful that one day, before I retire and become a U3A student, that [others] will also share the vision and mission to keep students 55+ healthy, independent life-long learners and truly offer the full continuum of educational programs regardless of age.”

— Allyson Meyer ‘16