News & Events Archives

Grants program continues for seventh year

The seventh cycle of grants to help retirees pursue projects related to their scholarship has been funded by Provost Karen Hanson and UMRA. All faculty members, profes­sional and administrative and civil service retirees from the Twin Cities and coordinate campuses of the University are eligible to apply for the grants (up to $5,000).  The deadline for applications is December 15, 2015. 

Civic Engagement: An offer we can't refuse

Do you skip over the monthly URVC article when you see the “V” word? Are there more important matters than the needs of our community—or your own well-being? When we participate, we are engaged. We not only become inti­mate partners with those who use our skills, we become re­vitalized, mentally alert, psychologically uplifted, physically strengthened. You will live a fuller and longer life!

Announcing "Care Guide" Training

Dr. Robert Kane has offered to train a group of UMRA members to be “Care Guides.” Nine UMRA members have volunteered to learn about decision making and the options and resour­ces available through the Center on Aging. After training is completed, these volunteers will be available to any UMRA member who seeks help about health care decisions.

2015-10 Progress report of online journal JOIE

Work is going forward to re-launch the new online journal JOIE (Journal of Opinions, Ideas, and Essays) sponsored by UMRA and the University Library.

Articles approved by JOIE’s original editor, Marty Dworkin, will soon appear as volume one of JOIE.

2016-17 Professional Development Grants Call for Proposals

The 2016-2017 Professional Development Grant Program for Retirees is now available and calling for grant proposals; Deadline December 15, 2015.

This, the seventh cycle of grants to help retirees pursue projects related to their scholarship has been announced by the Office of the Vice President for Research and UMRA. The guidelines for applying were sent to UMRA members via e-mail and are available at 2015-rfgp.pdf.

2015-2016 PDGR Abstracts

In February 2015, a committee of retirees appointed by Associate Vice President Frances Lawrenz met to review the 23 applications for Professional Development Grants for Retirees. The committee recommended 13 applications for funding. Vice President for Research, Brian Herman, announced the awards.

2015-2016 Upcoming Events

Mark your calendars for upcoming Luncheon speakers and Workshop topics scheduled for the 2015-2016 UMRA year.

2015-09 New Online Journal

The JOIE (Journal of Opinions, Ideas and Essays) project is moving ahead as an UMRA program. The JOIE Committee is working steadily with our University Libraries colleagues toward the goal of bringing JOIE up and online by September.

Book Club Meeting

For both August and September, we are reading and discussing The Bully Pulpit:  Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft and the Golden Age of Journalism. Contact Pat Tollefson, [email protected], for more information.

2014-2015 PDGR Abstracts

On February 26, 2014, a committee of eight UMRA members, appointed by Associate Vice President Frances Lawrenz, met to review the 14 applications for the sixth cycle of Professional Development Grants for Retirees.

2015-2-20 Photo Club

All are welcome for fun, fellowship, and fotos. Come at noon for the buffet lunch (with senior discount—what a deal!) at the Great Dragon restaurant just across the parking lot from the library. Please contact Craig Swan, [email protected], or Jean Kinsey, [email protected] so we will know to expect you and can add your name to the contact list for updated information. See you at our next meeting for fun, fellowship and fotos.

2015-2-20 Book Club

Our book for January was THE ART FORGER by B.A. Shapiro. The next books we will be reading are as follows:  DIARY OF ANNE FRANK for February; THE INVENTION OF WINGS by Sue Monk Kidd for March; DESTINY OF THE REPUBLIC by Candice Millard for April; and ALL THE LIGHT I CANNOT SEE by Anthony Doerr for May. 

--Contact Pat Tollefson, [email protected], for more information.

2014-2015 PDGR Awards

A committee of retirees, appointed by Frances Lawrenz, Associate Vice President for Research, reviewed and recommended 12 of the 14 applications for Professional Development Grants for Retirees in February. Brian Herman, Vice President for Research, recently announced the grant recipients.

2013-2014 PDGR Abstracts

On February 8, 2013, a committee of retirees, appointed by Associate Vice President Frances Lawrenz, met to review the applications for the fifth cycle of Professional Development Grants for Retirees. The committee recommended seven of the  eight applications for funding and in the middle of February Vice President Herman announced the awards.

2012-2013 PDGR Abstracts

On February 27, 2012, a committee of retirees appointed by Vice President Tim Mulcahy met with Associate Vice President Frances Lawrenz to review all 20 applications for the fourth cycle of Professional Development Grants for Retirees. The committee recommended eight applications for funding and in early March Vice President Mulcahy announced the awards.