Welcome!
Be all you can be as a University retiree!! Join the University of Minnesota Retirees Association (UMRA).
- Attend stimulating monthly programs and seminars;
- Connect with former colleagues and meet more friends;
- Obtain discounts and other member benefits;
- Stay informed on retirement issues with this website and a monthly newsletter.
See Member Services to join, renew, or update.
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Former Minnesota Chief Justice Eric Magnuson held rapt attention as he discussed the intersection of law and politics at the kick-off luncheon September, 2012 -
On February 25, 2014, Lowell Noteboom very clearly explained the situation of Orchestras including the SPCO and the Minnesota Orchestra -- just weeks after the MOA lockout was settled -
Ever-enthusiastic Vern Sutton sang and described his way through the first half of the 20th century using - and singing Ziegfield Follies music and history at the Gala May meeting of 2015 -
Political Science Professor Kathryn Pearson did her best to explain the election results at the November 15, 2016 Luncheon meeting -
In September, 2011, WAM Director Lyndel King presents the new Weisman in time for its reopening -
February, 2013, and U Alum Garrison Keillor speaks highly of his alma mater and entertains his University audiences with fond stories about working as a U parking attendant -
Hubert (Skip) Humphrey III spoke from a long career as a consumer advocate, "Scams for Seniors to Avoid" at the September, 2014 luncheon -
Alexander Khoruts discussed the research and progess leading to the new field of Microbiota Therapeutics with an overflow crowd in January, 2016 -
UMRA Member Joanne Eicher explained the process of creating the 10-volume World Encyclopedia of Fashion and Dress at the February 2012 meeting -
Pat Hampl spoke humorously and seriously about writing memoirs and other things at our 2013 kickoff meeting on September 24th -
February 2015 speaker Michael Osterholm discussed the why and how of epidemics Using Ebola as the example; after his presentation he chatted with Joseph Terry, MD -
Peter Moe, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Director, presented "Apples and Grapes," highlighting research accomplishments for cold climates at the May 2016 gala luncheon -
David Walsh, Director of the University Opera Theater is March 2011's speaker -
September 2016 was kicked off by Kris Keisling, Director of the Elmer L. Anderson Archives, combined with a tour of the archives -
Tom Stinson addresses UMRA audience at the April, 2011 Luncheon -
Kathleen Zahs was encouraging about the prospect for clinical solutions to Alzheimer's in her October, 2012 presntation -
March 25, 2014 Speaker Lance Brockman lucidly and animatedly explained the "Theater of the Fraternity" to an attentive UMRA audience -
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau emphasizes a point at the first meeting of the 2015-16 year, September 22 -
January, 2017 was unusually mild, and was a starting point for speaker Mark Seeley at the January Luncheon -
October, 2011 speaker Larry Rudnick updates retirees' understanding of just about everything in the Universe -
Krista Tippet and Ron Anderson engaged in conversation about meaning, spirituality, and ethics in the midst of 21st century cultural and technological shifts, in March 2013 -
At the October 2014 meeting, Mary Nichols provided food for thought as she discussed the technologies that continue to be applied to education -
At the February, 2016 Luncheon, U of M Provost Karen Hanson talked through the strategic plan for the next ten years, and the process of developing it -
In March 2012, President Eric Kaler presented a broad and complete view of his leadership agenda, and responded to questions from the full-house audience -
Steve Ruggles astounded the audience with integrated census data spanning 200 years and 2 billion records, in October, 2013 -
At the March 2015 luncheon, PDGR winner Ron Anderson showed how he amassed global statistics on suffering as part of his books project, supported by the 2014 grant -
At the March 1015 luncheon, Philip O. Larsen spoke about using their grant to support volunteer work educating Tanzanian farmers with his 2012 grant -
Two Professional Development Grant for retirees (PDGR) recipients spoke at the October, 2016 meeting: Katherine Fennelly, formerly of Public Health and Dean of UM Extension Service was one -
President Bob Bruininks shares his experiences at the May 2011 meeting -
November, 2012 speaker Kathryn Pearson discussed politics with Bob Holt after her presentation analyzing the just-completed election -
April 2014 speakers Henry Blackburn, Carol Miller, & Jack Zipes being introduced by Ron Anderson before they each spoke about their PDGR projects -
October 2015 speaker Philip Pardey not only discussed the range of population projections but the impact of food needs and the value of research in meeting those needs -
UMRA February 2017 speaker and activist scholar Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer urged us to focus our questions on the real issues -
November, 2011: 2009-10 Professional Development Grants recipients presented: Alan Lathrop, William Zimmermann, and James Tracy, with PDG Committee members Martin Dworkin and Jan Hogan-Schiltgen -
Art Rolnick spoke at the April 2013 luncheon on The Economic Case for Public Investment in Early Childhood Education, making the case that that brain development must be nurtured from ages 2 and 3 -
For November 2014, John Adams brought his own antique presentation machine to display transparencies he has lovingly preserved throughout the 3rd industrial revolution -
Lori Sturdevant talked with Tom Swain about his extraordinary Minnesota careers in politics, industry, the U, and volunteering , at the Luncheon meeting March 2016 -
April 2012 speaker and noted Human Sexuality researcher Ira Reiss reviewed highlights of his lifetime of research -
Deborah Swackhamer shared what we know and still need to know about Minnesota's water at the final meeting of 2013, November 19 -
Bob Holt applied economic and political history from postwar Germany, Italy, and Britain to help us understand today's world at the January, 2014 Luncheon -
Robert Kane used both professional and personal experience writing "The Good Caregiver" and he discussed many of its points at the April 2015 luncheon -
Two Professional Development Grant for retirees (PDGR) recipients spoke at the October, 2016 meeting: Kathleen O'Brien, historian and former Vice President for University Services was one -
Susan Hagstrum addresses the May 2011 meeting -
Psychiatrist Charles Schulz presented a summary of leading-edge research on early detection of schizophrenia which if coupled with available treatments may greatly reduce the effects of this disease on January, 2013 -
In the final Luncheon of the year 2014, Clif Ware regaled us with wit and music that we all knew, this from "Fiddler on the Roof" -
November 2015 speaker UM Professor Craig Packer told us how to save the African lion, who is killing them and why, and who is not helping -
Professor and Minnesota State Economist Laura Kalambokidis showed and explained the numbers now in the Governor's budget, at the March 2015 Luncheon -
January, 2012: Marla Spivak told us all about the bees -
Paul Rosenblatt spoke about -- and to couples and communications at the end-of-year May 2013 Luncheon -
College of Design Dean Tom Fisher extrapolated that computer controlled manufacturing was as life-changing as the first two industrial revolutions, during our first meeting of 2015 -
Massoud Amin, the U's intellectual leader in developing a "smart grid" to provide critical electrical power distribution, presented and summarized at the April, 2016 Luncheon -
Lori Sturdevant spoke to us in May 2012 on the "Year of Distraction: How can Minnesota focus on getting the most from our human capital when there are constitutional amendments and a stadium to fight about?"
Actions UMRA has taken on your behalf:
Professional Development Grants Program—The Office of the Vice President for Research and the University of Minnesota Retirees Association (UMRA) jointly created a grants program in 2007. These grants are awarded annually to support faculty, P&A and civil service retirees wishing to pursue projects related to their research, instructional, or other work history. Details of the programs and awards made are given on this website's grant's page.
Faculty Retirees’ Bill of Rights—UMRA led negotiations resulting in a statement of faculty rights and privileges. The document The Rights and Privileges of University Emeriti (Word doc) summarizes the rights and privileges that are guaranteed to retired faculty by the Resolution passed by the University Senate in 1998.
Keeping in touch with University actions
- UMRA tracks discussions of, and seeks improvements in, health insurance coverage for retirees.
- Designated UMRA board liaisons report monthly on the activities of the Board of Regents, the Alumni Association, the Senate Committee on Faculty Affairs, the Benefits Advisory Committee, the University Retiree Volunteer Center (URVC), and the Campus Club.
University E-mail Accounts—In 2005, UMRA clarified a University policy that e-mail accounts were to be continued for all retirees, and the association ensured that this privilege would be communicated to all retirees and providers. If you believe you are qualified as a retiree but do not have a University e-mail account, please notify UMRA at umra@umn.edu.
University/National Car Rental Contract—All retired University faculty and staff can continue to take advantage of the University's National Car Rental discount contract for business and personal travel, whether in the United States or abroad. Conversations between UMRA and the University Purchasing Services Department confirm that all faculty, P&A, and civil service employees who have retired from the University are eligible for this rental discount program. The amount of the discount varies with location and type of service, but the amount of savings often is substantial. If you are not already utilizing this discount, contact your former department or office for the relevant information, including the contract number.
In the 1980s, UMRA members envisioned, helped to plan, and oversaw the construction of 1666 Coffman, an independent condominium near the St. Paul campus. Direct inquires to coffman@umn.edu.
Your comments and advice regarding these and other issues are most welcome. Send any comments to umra@umn.edu, contact one of the UMRA officers, or use the Contact Us page.
Announcements
As you may have seen in our newsletter and on this website, the UMRA board is collaborating with the university’s office of Government Relations and the U of MN Alumni Association to gain support for the 2017 legislative funding request. This is a CRITICAL TIME and YOUR HELP IS NEEDED NOW! Click on the following link from the Office of Government Relations to see more about the status of the budget recommendations and what you can do to contact your legislators: z.umn.edu/act2017
Do you have any experience with either Survey Monkey or Qualtrics software for doing surveys? The Workshop Committee needs your help to assist with an upcoming survey. If you can help, please contact Ron Anderson, rea@umn.edu.
The Industry of Souls by Martin Booth, published by Picador Macmillan, 1998. Available through Amazon (both print and Kindle) and in a Nook book at Barnes and Noble. Review by Pat Tollefson, UMRA Cares Committee.
UMRA Care Guides are not available until further notice. With the recent death of Dr. Robert Kane, Care Guides no longer have their mentor and supervisor available. The Care Guides have decided to stay together and will be discussing future activities, pending new supervision.
— Earl Nolting, chair, UMRA Cares Committee
Why do people engage in the noble art of teaching? There are undoubtedly many motivations, but the theme that seems most prevalent, and at the same time most intriguing among educators, is the love of learning. “To teach is to learn twice,” and “Who dares to teach must never cease to learn.”
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the University of Minnesota is an organization of lifelong learners whose passion for knowledge and understanding is a driving force in their lives. Put them together...
New UMRA Newsletter needs writers and editors
If you like to write, enjoy editing, or if you can assist with collecting incoming news, please join us. If you like the idea of an e-newsletter and want to help combine our website information with an e-news function, we need you! Read on.
The UMRA Cares Committee
In the process of reorganizing and expanding in new directions, the Cares group needs volunteers to help us plan and develop a variety of initiatives to assist UMRA members. Read on.
Richard Poppele retired in 2006 from the Department of Neuroscience. Dick has served on UMRA’s Grants committee and will chair the committee in 2017–18.
Claudia Parliament retired in 2015 after 30 years as a faculty member in the Department of Applied Economics in CFANS. In retirement she continues her interest in synchronized swimming through coaching, judging, and competing.
The Board of Directors presents the following slate for your approval:
For Officers:
President: Chip Peterson (will automatically move from his current position as President-elect to President)
President-elect: Gerald Rinehart
Secretary: Judy Garrard
Treasurer Carl Adams (continuing his service)
For Board of Directors:
Vernon Cardwell
Cathy Gierke
Jeanne Markell (for second three-year term)
Claudia Parliament
Richard Poppele
Festive Luncheon features your choice among four entrées
Please be sure to indicate your menu selection when you make your reservations.
Reservation Deadline Wednesday May 17
Gerald Rinehart retired in 2013 after 10 years as the University’s vice provost and dean of students and 20 years as the Carlson School of Management (CSOM) assistant dean of students, where he spearheaded its successful conversion from an upper division to a freshman-admitting college.
Carl Adams retired in 2013 from the faculty of Information and Decision Sciences in the Carlson School of Management (CSOM). Carl has served on the UMRA Board since May 2014 and as Treasurer 2015–17.
Judy Garrard was a psychologist and faculty member in the health sciences at the University for 44 years, prior to retiring in 2015. Throughout her career, she was active in faculty governance at the school and University levels, including chair of FCC.
Vernon Cardwell retired (2012) from the Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, College of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS). A Morse-Alumni Distinguished Teaching Professor, he taught for 45 years.
Cathy Lee Gierke grew up in Minnesota, riding and training horses, fishing, and reading voraciously. Cathy helped develop the current UMRA website and serves on UMRA’s Communication Task Force.
Jeanne Markell retired in July 2009 from a 40-year career at the University of Minnesota. Jeanne has served one term on the UMRA board beginning in 2014.
This past month both Donna Peterson, as president of UMRA, and Karen Hansen, executive vice president and provost, signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which formalizes our agreement to support and further the respective missions, goals, and programs for both organizations. In the picture, President Peterson signs the Memorandum of Understanding in the Provost’s Office.
Because some UMRA members have encountered a full parking ramp when attempting to attend a luncheon, UMRA has negotiated the opportunity to reserve parking spaces in the East River Road Ramp. This is a pilot program, just for the remainder of the meetings this spring, after which PTS and UMRA will evaluate how well it has worked.
To make a reservation, contact Judy Leahy Grimes at jleahy4654@aol.com or 651-698-4387 on or before the Thursday preceding the luncheon.