Dear USD Community,

It is with deep sadness that I share the news that Marjorie “Marge” Hughes, the wife of President Emeritus Author “Art” E. Hughes, passed away on Oct. 23, 2025. She was 94 years old.

Marge grew up in what she called a strict Catholic home where faith was integral to her daily life. She was the second oldest in a family of 10 children and started working at the age of 13 to help pay for her own clothing.

Marge received her Bachelor of Science degree in business education from Eastern Illinois University and was a teacher at Mt. Carmel High School in Illinois until her marriage to Art Hughes in 1956.

Marge enjoyed traveling and, in the Summer 1995 issue of USD Magazine, she shared a memory of a trip she and President Hughes took through Spain, which included a stop at Alcalá de Henares, home to the university that inspired the Spanish Renaissance architecture for which USD has become so well known. During that trip, Marge recalled that they climbed a ladder to view the coffin and the body of the renowned San Diego de Alcalá, the saint for whom the City of San Diego is named.

Art Hughes was the unanimous choice to be named as the first president of what was to become the University of San Diego. His term began as the San Diego College for Women, the San Diego College for Men and School of Law merged to become what is now the University of San Diego, a process that was completed in 1972. He served a total of 24 years — from 1971 to 1995 — and infused the university with a deep sense of spirit, dignity and values.

During Art’s tenure as president, USD established a Board of Trustees. The campus also underwent many changes — including fundraising campaigns, the construction of new buildings, the establishment of new schools and the formation of new centers, institutes, departments and programs. The university also honored him by renaming of what is now known as the Author E. Hughes Career Achievement Award, which is bestowed during Alumni Honors, an event that Art and Marge attended together regularly, even after the president’s retirement.

To honor both the husband and wife for their 24 years of devoted service, the building that formerly served as the headquarters of the San Diego Diocese was renamed the Author E. and Marjorie A. Hughes Administration Center, where every president since has maintained an office and where a portrait of the couple still hangs.

During Marge’s tenure as the university’s First Lady, she too forged a role that was uniquely her own and endeared herself to many with her warm manner and her personal touches to the campus. Art readily shared credit with Marge for the university’s accomplishments during that era. However, he gave her sole credit for holding the family together.

Marge recalled living temporarily in graduate housing on Goshen Street as well as in an apartment in the Sports Center, while the university built what’s affectionately known as the Casa de Alcalá, where the couple raised four children — Greg, Tim, John and Susan. It was said she approached her role with great enthusiasm and put her life at the disposal of Art and the university. It was also said that Art’s role at USD would not have been the same without her.

However, she dismissed all laudatory comments, saying simply, “What we had to do, we just had to do."

Marge previously served on the USD Auxiliary and the Women de Alcalá Committee. She also served as a board member at La Jolla Bridge and as a charter member of the Friends of Balboa Park.

While we never had the opportunity to meet Art Hughes, Mary and I did have the privilege to know Marge. She was always gracious and kind to us and continued to embody the values of the university throughout her life. USD would not be the institution it is today without the loving care and leadership of Art and Marge Hughes and we are so grateful for their lives. May their souls and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

One thing Marge said she loved about living on campus, was being able to attend daily Mass at The Immaculata, which became a favorite part of her daily routine. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Nov. 7, 2025, at The Immaculata Catholic Church, located on the USD campus.

If you would like to send your condolences, kindly use the following:

The Marjorie A. Hughes Family
c/o Office of the President
Hughes Administration Center, Suite 222
5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110
president@sandiego.edu

Peace,

James T. Harris III, DEd
President