Testimonial 22

Long live The Academy Village and its remarkable life style!

This writer, never having been away from “school” since the age of five, spent some forty years in research institutions or in fine universities as a professor in the humanities. I could not even imagine “retiring” to an existence away from colleagues in many fields, graduate students, learning and teaching, etc. Yet, I was ready for a change of pace, place and space. When I learned of the formation of the Arizona Senior Academy and the Academy Village as its campus in a part of the country with which I was completely unfamiliar, I was curious and intrigued. After attending a first conference in Tucson together with existing and prospective members/residents, I saw clearly that I could spend my retirement here together with interesting people -- from all over the country and in diverse professions -- who would provide the intellectual stimulation and camaraderie that I have enjoyed for so many years. All these aspects would be available in a group of people who have formed a functional, caring community in beautiful natural surroundings.

Rather than being overcome with any sense of dread about retirement, a university existence in reduced retiree office space, etc., I was very much buoyed up with a sense of a new beginning, almost a feeling that I was “going off to college” again for the first time. I have lived here now for a year and a half. During this time, I have shared the pleasures of music, the arts, foreign language studies, sports, and excellent lectures on a great variety of subjects by my fellow residents and by Univ. of Arizona faculty members. Amidst all this activity, I have happily continued my own research work and publications, and can say with some fervor that I have made some very dear new friends. This community and its residents have not disappointed me in any way. Together, we have a great deal of pure fun and plenty of informal and formal intellectual discourse. Long live The Academy Village and its remarkable life style!

Author : University professor in the humanities.