University of Virginia After leaving the Presidency,Jefferson continued to be active in public affairs.He wanted to found a new institution of higher learning,specifically one free of church influences,where students could specialize in many new areas not offered at other universities.In 1819 he founded the University of Virginia.Upon its opening in 1825 it was 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