text: how did jefferson envision the future of america?   after leaving the presidency, jefferson continued to be active in public affairs. he also became increasingly obsessed with founding a new institution of higher learning, specifically one free of church influences where one could specialize in many new areas not offered at other universities. a letter to joseph priestley, in january 1800, indicated that he had been planning the university for decades before its establishment.  his dream was realized in 1819, with the founding of the university of virginia. upon its opening in 1825, it was then the first university to offer a full slate of elective courses to its students. one of the largest construction projects to that time in north america, it was notable for being centered about a library, rather than a church. in fact, no campus chapel was included in his original plans.