The University of San Diego has enjoyed a long and successful “town and gown” affiliation with the Linda Vista community for many decades.  The status of that relationship was reaffirmed on Tuesday, Dec. 1 with a luncheon hosted by President Mary Lyons and leaders of various local organizations (pictured above).

Two dozen board members of the Linda Vista Town Council, the Linda Vista Planning Committee, the Linda Vista Community Development Corporation and the Linda Vista Recreation Council joined Lyons and several top USD administrators in celebrating USD’s 60th Anniversary.

Luncheon guest and leading local life-long citizen Doug Beckham was born, raised and continues to live in Linda Vista.  He praised USD for its continuous outreach efforts and student involvement with Bayside Community Center, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families in need, particularly in regards to social service and educational assistance to children, the elderly and immigrants.  USD’s Center for Community Service-Learning and programs like the Center for Awareness, Service and Action increase awareness of the local and global community through expanding and enriching service learning and volunteer opportunities.

USD and Linda Vista have witnessed an unprecedented era of collaboration. For example, community entrance signs proclaim, “Linda Vista, home of the University of San Diego.”  These signs are also modeled after the distinctive building identification signs across campus. University officials also worked with the community to develop the decorative street banners that declare — in 10 different languages — Linda Vista as “the gateway to education,” since a person can go from preschool to doctorate without ever leaving the community.

— Tom  Cleary