Author 'Art' E. Hughes, 1929-2015

Author 'Art' E. Hughes, 1929-2015

First USD President Leaves 'Indelible Mark'

Art Hughes Thumbnail

Author “Art” E. Hughes, whose 24 years as the University of San Diego’s first president was highlighted by his leadership during a 1972 merger that created USD and overseeing the university’s tremendous growth, passed away Sunday, Sept. 6, after a brief illness. He was 85.

Praised and cherished by many for his solid, always-present leadership, genuine dedication and the great value and care he showed for all people, especially students, Hughes' passing is a significant loss for the university family and higher education community.

“He was truly one of the most important, not just pioneers, but iconic figures in the development of Catholic higher education,” said Mary E. Lyons, PhD, who served as USD’s president from 2003 to July 2015. “I knew about Dr. Hughes well before I came to USD. He had a well-respected reputation, not just in California and in the west, but also nationally.”

The Right Leader

Chosen in 1971 among 237 presidential applicants to oversee both the San Diego College for Women and the San Diego College for Men, Hughes came to San Diego after serving as a business school professor, business school dean and vice president at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. His distinguished education career prepared him for the many accomplishments USD experienced during his presidency and after he retired in June 1995.

“Dr. Hughes served with distinction as the first president of the newly consolidated University of San Diego," said current USD President James T. Harris III, DEd, in a campus-wide email announcement about Dr. Hughes' passing. "Beloved by generations of USD faculty, staff, students, and alumni, Dr. Hughes and his wife, Marge, have remained among the university’s most ardent advocates, delighting in the continuous progress of USD and the expansive manifestations of its mission and core values.”

Hughes' leadership shined brightest when the two existing colleges at Alcala Park needed guidance for a merger that came nine months into his first year.

"Art was a positive influence from the moment he arrived, and he presided over what became a very smooth transition," said Anita Figueredo, a College for Women trustee and later a USD Board of Trustee member, in a 1995 USD Magazine cover story about Hughes. "He came aboard without any agenda of his own except to fulfill what we wanted. He helped us find out what we needed to do and exceeded by far the ambitions we had."

Hughes was diligent, patient and effective in a situation that required great problem-solving abilities and to delegate and put his trust in the people around him to get the university on solid footing. The respect and revere people had for him formed early and never wavered.

"Art's personal approach and passion for detail made possible the transition from two small schools to one great university," said Therese Truitt Whitcomb '53, the first graduate of the College for Women and, later, a USD professor, in 1995. "If he had dealt in grand concepts and abstractions, the plans for the university never would have worked. His ability to look to the horizon and delegate the right tasks to the right people was our salvation."

Developing the University of San Diego

Hughes oversaw not only the merger, but laid the significant groundwork for the university's tremendous growth financially, physically and academically. He made and his staff made sure the university delivered a values-based education, stressed the importance of developing students as a whole person, and created opportunities that still resonate with today's USD students.

"Early on, we began to talk about a values orientation and how we could factor that into our programs and how we could live it out in the campus community," Hughes said in the 1995 USD Magazine article. "We looked at each student as a whole person, asking, 'How are they maturing intellectually? How are they maturing socially, physically, spiritually and emotionally?' We called it a holistic view, a view of the total human being and what experiences we ought to be providing to that human being."

John Trifiletti first met Dr. Hughes in 1974 as a USD student. A 1978 graduate, Trifiletti developed a wonderful friendship with Hughes and his family over the years. He later worked in student affairs and key alumni relations and development roles at USD. Working with and his connection to Hughes made Trifiletti's relationship a truly special one.

"Art Hughes was a man of great vision, compassion, warmth, humility and faith," Trifiletti said. "The mark he made on this university in the 24 years he served is indelible."

Another friend and longtime colleague, Dr. Tom Cosgrove, who was hired in 1972 and served in numerous student affairs administrative roles at USD until his retirement in 2010, said that his work mindset was tied to Dr. Hughes’ lead. “To me, it’s about the full development of the student — intellectually, socially, culturally and spiritually. That’s what we’re about here. That’s what Art Hughes said for 24 years every time he spoke about the university.”

Everything from the creation of new buildings, formation of schools, Hahn University Center and on-campus residence facilities, establishing a Board of Trustees, reaching out to a much smaller alumni base for support happened under Hughes’ direction. He had great vision when it came to showcasing USD's mission and values. One prime example was his enthusiasm for a program that exists today, the Choral Scholars.

"I've always thought that USD could be doing more in terms of music and offer more musical opportunities on campus for our students and faculty," Hughes said in 1995. In launching Choral Scholars, a group of students who sing at university functions throughout the school year, he successfully convinced a donor making a major gift to direct it toward scholarships for these talented students.

Community Engagement

Hughes was a major proponent of student community volunteer work. The university launched the Center for Community Service-Learning in 1986, an entity that today is known as the Karen and Tom Mulvaney Center for Community, Awareness and Social Action. Community engagement is the hallmark of a USD education and students pride themselves on work that helps others and strengthens their values.

"The important thing about volunteerism is that it is one of the social values that our students have to be made aware of," Hughes said. "There is a great sense of fulfillment in doing something for somebody else."

Hughes' presence and hard work — and alongside his wife, Marge, a dynamic partner who former President Lyons said played an active, valuable role at USD — provided a foundational blueprint for a university that now has more than 8,000 students, committed faculty, staff and administrators who work to maintain and continue to build USD's stature as a nationally ranked institution of higher learning.

President Harris, who started on Aug. 3 and did not have the fortune to meet Dr. Hughes, said he's gained considerable perspective upon meeting people who were close to him.

"They collectively described him as an authentic, charismatic leader of the highest integrity and with a clear vision for Catholic higher education, especially for the University of San Diego. During his presidency, he was particularly known for coalescing key members of San Diego's business and professional communities for the benefit of the institution. He lived out the values of USD by recruiting strong administrators and volunteer leadership on the Board of Trustees, with a particular emphasis on professional expertise and a true commitment to the mission of the university. He understood the necessity of attracting and supporting talented and dedicated faculty, and he was devoted to generating scholarship resources and other means of financial aid for students in the greatest need. Most importantly, Dr. Hughes was a man of strong faith, impeccable family values, and a tireless devotion to USD.”

Hughes' Legacy

Art and Marge Hughes regularly attended major USD functions. One such event, Alumni Honors, was particularly cherished. Trifiletti, in 1995, renamed the individual alumni school honors as the Author E. Hughes Career Achievement Award. There have been 117 Hughes award recipients to date, Trifiletti said. The university’s main administration building, which is directly across from The Immaculata, is named for Hughes as well.

Art Hughes is survived by, Marjorie, sons Greg, Tim, John and daughter, Susan. The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to the University of San Diego Scholarship Fund, in care of Office of Annual Giving, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110 or donate online.

A funeral mass will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2015, in The Immaculata Church, followed by a reception at the church’s patio. All are welcome.

— Ryan T. Blystone

Michael R. Haskins contributed to this story