History of The Academy Village
The concept of a retirement community for those who want to remain actively involved in learning and creating originated with Dr. Henry Koffler (1922-2018). Henry served in administrative positions in a number of universities, culminating in his service as President of the University of Arizona from 1982 to 1991. He had long been aware of the problem of retiring professionals, who were engaged in active careers and then suddenly faced a lack of useful activity and a sense of no longer being needed by the greater community. Henry believed a community designed to bring together individuals with intellectual curiosity in a stimulating environment would foster their continued involvement and personal growth.
In 1991, when Henry announced that he wanted to leave his position, several board members of the University of Arizona Foundation encouraged him to begin the development of what later was to become the Arizona Senior Academy, a not-for-profit and tax-exempt corporation, and the Academy Village. This initiative was based on the expectation that such a unique community would benefit not only the participants and greater Tucson, but would also meet a national need for dealing constructively with a rapidly increasing number of active older adults.
Responding to the challenge, Henry persuaded Lloyd Lewis, an experienced leader in the development and operation of Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) to be a partner with him in this endeavor. Lloyd Lewis was the founder and former CEO of the Kendal Corporation and Kendal Communities Development Corporation near Philadelphia.
In locating the Academy Village, Henry and Lloyd considered approximately two dozen sites, and settled on 169 picturesque acres adjacent to Saguaro National Park East in the foothills of the Rincon mountains. The plan for the Village included 204 single family homes and 60 town homes. There was to be a central campus consisting of the Arizona Senior Academy building, a Community Center, an assisted living facility, a tennis court, a swimming pool and exercise facilities. The Academy Building was designed to contain a Great Room and Library, two class rooms, a computer center, a conference room, administrative offices, workspace for large office equipment and a small kitchen.
The intention was to equip all structures with state-of-the-art communication technology and to connect them with the University of Arizona Library. This capability would enable the Academy to provide educational and cultural programs on-site and to broaden its reach through interfacing with other institutions. These connections would enable individual members—-even those who may be temporarily or permanently disabled—-to collaborate with colleagues worldwide and to keep the windows to the outside world open.
The Academy would offer Village residents a wide choice of educational and cultural opportunities. Members would enjoy a rich program of on-site classes, lectures, concerts and other artistic performances. Workshops and seminars could be offered; small groups for study, special interests and discussion could be organized. The Village would avoid becoming isolated from the larger community by encouraging member interactions as mentors with young people, as well as by sponsoring participation in Academy programs by the general public. It would also allow those who moved to and lived in Academy Village for some time to relocate to an Assisted Living facility called Academy Villas that is designed to provide additional assistance than they can provide in their individual homes.
As far as circumstances have permitted, this plan has served as the blueprint for The Academy Village, The Arizona Senior Academy and The Academy Villas.