University of Minnesota Retirees Association

We hope the Legislature will elect regents who will help foster the U in all its missions and preserve it as an educational and economic engine of the State. 

This commentary was published in the Star Tribune editorial pages on February 18, 2019.

A recent downturn in physical health led to unexpected freedom and new meaning for Ron Anderson. 

Meet UMRA member Vern Cardwell, distinguished both as a professor and for the years he spent getting down-to-earth in Africa.

Three meditators started the workshop by describing what got them into mindfulness meditation and then offered testimonials to its benefits.

PBS correspondent and University of St. Thomas educator Fred de Sam Lazaro gave a marvelous presentation on his globe-spanning career as a broadcast journalist.

The chair of the Nominating Committee wants your suggestions for anyone you think should be considered as a candidate for UMRA's board of directors-yourself included.

You could change a life—for the better. Consider contributing your skills by volunteering for one or more of these opportunities

The Care and Management of Lies by Jacqueline Winspear tells the story of three young people from rural England at the time of World War 

In early January, several members of UMRA met with leaders of the U of M Regents Candidate Advisory Committee to determine how groups like ours can participate in the selection of regents. The discussion identified several ways.

U of M political science professor Kathryn Pearson presented a comprehensive review of both the November midterm election results and the electorate, depicting voting behavior by turnout, gender, age, race, education, and region.

Would you like to be involved in the selection of next year’s Board of Directors and officers? If so, the chair of UMRA’s Nominating Committee would like to hear from you. 

The Nest, a best-selling debut novel by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, stimulated much discussion. 

This year’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees awards will be announced in March. The application deadline was December 14.

The University Retiree Volunteers Center will soon be offering a better way to explore opportunities and manage your volunteer activities.

Taking pictures and being an active member of the UMRA Photo Club has enhanced Ron Anderson’s life as a retired person in many ways.

Ted Bowman, who specializes in helping individuals, families, organizations, and communities deal with loss, change, and transition, led the November UMRA Cares Committee workshop.

Meet UMRA member Carol Urness, a world traveler, bookstore owner, and published author whose first “big” job was washing and waxing her great-uncle Sam’s immense Cadillac.

Do you have a pet article you’ve written or would like to write but haven’t found a place for publication? The online Journal of Opinions, Ideas, and Essays is soliciting articles for its 2019 issue.