News & Events Archives

Book Notes: Timeless classic highly recommended

November in the West Wing

UMRA’s November 27 meeting will be the first of three “pilot program” luncheons for 2018–19, in the spacious West Wing dining room.  All members of the Campus Club will be invited. Our guest speaker, Kathryn Pearson, associate professor of political science and frequent commentator in the media, will be offering her analysis of the midterm elections. Be sure to save the date!

URVC leadership transition

After 20 years of dedicated and extensive involvement as University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) office manager and project director, Alan Kagan has stepped down from his leadership role to complete writing the book he has been working on for several years.

Lego Robotics Tournament

Support Lego robotics tournament involving grades 4-12. Volunteers are needed in both technical and non-technical roles. Several options of dates and locations.

Upcoming workshops

A representative from the U’s Office of Human Resources will provide an overview of the benefits to be offered in the coming year, including comparisons between the different plans available to University retirees.

Welcome to UMRA's board, committees and groups

With the beginning of our new program year, UMRA welcomes new faces and continuing members to its board and to its growing list of committees and affinity groups.

Memory Study

Consider contributing to understanding of attention and memory by volunteering to participate in a research study being conducted in the Psychology Department. 

Tutors Needed at Murray Middle School!

Tutors wanted to with students on developing solid study skills and help with homework.  Murray Middle School near the U of M St. Paul campus offers a comprehensive tutoring/study skills support program during the school day as an elective class Monday through Friday during the last three class periods of the day from 11:08-12:08, 12:12-1:04 and 1:08-2:00 pm.

A Hearing Study

A new study entitled, Dynamic Effects in Peripheral Auditory Processing, will be conducted by the Psychology Department, and supervised by Dr. Magda Wojtczak of the Auditory Perception and Cognition Lab.

Study participants with normal hearing will be asked to detect the difference between two tones. Determination of "normal hearing" will be done in the lab. The study requires 5 or 6 two-hour sessions in the course of a month, and participants will be compensated $10/hour.

Alan Kagan stepping down after 20 exemplary years

Longtime URVC Office Manager and Projects Director Alan Kagan will be stepping down at the end of September to complete a book for publication. Several people will be needed to continue his work.

Annual PDGR grant competition opens October 15

All University retirees from all campuses are eligible for awards of up to $5,000 to advance their projects.

HELLO, my name is Ron Matross

Meet Ron Matross, a member of UMRA since 2013 whose first job was mowing lawns in Gardiner, Montana, at the north entrance to Yellowstone Park.

URVC looks back and ahead

It was a busy summer for the University Volunteer Retirees Center (URVC), recruiting individuals to assist with events ranging from mock trials and the opening of the new Bell Museum to fresh produce distribution and the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

HELLO, my name is Cherie Hamilton

Meet Cherie Hamilton, a member of UMRA since 2009 who has experienced many countries and cultures in a life’s journey that’s taken her from Manhattan to Minneapolis.

Volunteer for mock trials at Mitchell Hamline

Those of you who are interested in promoting civic activities may wish to volunteer for the mock trials at Mitchell Hamline School of Law on September 13 and 14. For legal advocacy training, the same case will be tried both days by different lawyers. Volunteers deliberate and announce the verdict and spend time with the judge and lawyers to offer constructive critique.