News

From the President   

Ron Matross
FROM THE PRESIDENT

2023-05 : UMRA in full

Gratitude is one of the nicest emotions, and as I write this, my last column as UMRA president, I’m feeling a wave of it. Many volunteers are needed to keep UMRA growing, and I am grateful to them all. More...

 

News   

Miss Benson's Beetle, book cover
BOOK CLUB I

Book Notes | ‘Miss Benson’s Beetle’

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The power of friendship, the destructive impact of war, and genuine appreciation of the natural world are the overriding themes in this quirky, historical novel about an unlikely expedition by two women in search of an elusive golden beetle. More...

FAMILY HISTORY

Family Stories—Open Discussion

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The May 2023 UMRA Family History Interest Group ZOOM presentation was an open discussion and question/answer session that covered a wide range of topics. More...

FINANCE AND LEGAL GROUP

When Will the Medicare Advantage Bubble Burst?

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Recording spreads awareness to rein in the Medicare Advantage (MA) privatized system, and protect traditional Medicare funding. More...

UMRA logo
NEWS

Election of UMRA’s 2023–24 leadership to be held online

This year’s election of UMRA officers and new board members will be conducted via an online poll from May 15 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 23. Also on the ballot will be a vote to amend the UMRA bylaws.

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Silver Gopher volunteers at Every Meal, 2023.04.20
VOLUNTEER CENTER

Silver Gophers volunteer to help children experiencing food insecurity

Nearly 20 members of UMRA’s Silver Gopher Service Corps met as a team in mid-April to pack food for school children facing food insecurity at home in Minnesota. The food-packing event, held at the Every Meal Volunteer Center in Roseville, was superbly organized. It felt “good to be involved in a worthy cause,” said Clif Ware, one of the volunteers.

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ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

Pieranna Garavaso and Lory Lemke's visit to Pavia and Verona, Italy

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Pieranna Garavaso and Lory Lemke, retired professors of philosophy at UMM, took us on an incredible visit to Pavia and Verona, Italy. More...

NEWS

Cyber tips & tricks--UMRA member portal

The UMRA Member Portal, also called our member database, is where you will make reservations for upcoming events, and renew your membership.  Beyond those functions, the portal has additional resources that you may find helpful.  

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Lori Sturdevant, Mark Bohnhorst, and Scott Gillespie at UMRA's April 2023 luncheon forum
FORUM

How the Star Tribune strives to provide a place for ‘thoughtfully curated disagreement about real issues’

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Scott Gillespie, editorial page editor and vice president of the Star Tribune, provided the large audience for UMRA’s April 2023 luncheon forum an insightful and educational look at how the newspaper produces editorials and chooses the “op-ed” commentaries it publishes. More...

Elephant Company, book cover
BOOK CLUB I

Book Notes | ‘Elephant Company’

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Set in Burma after World War I, this “spellbinding” true story about James Howard Williams and his love for elephants provides lessons in courage, trust, and gratitude. More...

College admissions, Gopher Family Connection, screenshot
LIVING WELL WORKSHOP

Deciphering today’s college admissions process

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Like many schools these days, the University of Minnesota uses a holistic review process for college admissions. If you have a prospective student in your family, there are many things you can encourage them to do. More...

GRANTS FOR RETIREES

Still driven to discover?

Applications for UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees will be posted on the UMRA website this summer. It is an annual competition open to all U of M retirees, with applications accepted from October 1 to December 31.

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UMRA's Silver Gopher Service Corps made its debut for Newly Admitted Students Welcome Day on April 1, 2023.
VOLUNTEER CENTER

Silver Gopher Service Corps steps up to help fill the Class of 2027

An enthusiastic group of stalwart retirees trudged through snow, ice, and wind to greet future students and their families on the University’s first-ever Newly Admitted Students Welcome Day, hosted by the Office of Admissions.

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UMRA President Ron Matross and Treasurer Kristy Frost-Griep, pictured left standing, welcomed newcomers to the UMRA luncheon forum at Midland Hills in March 2023.
NEWS

Time to renew your membership

Soon you will be receiving an invitation to renew your UMRA membership for the 2023–24 year. UMRA is an all-volunteer organization that depends on membership dues to provide a wide range of opportunities and other benefits to its members. We hope you’ll renew before you get busy with your summer activities.

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FAMILY HISTORY

Telling the stories of the living

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Larry Rudnick and Vicki Gaylord shared how they have worked with living family members to gain more information and insight into their family trees. Gaylord and Rudnick explained the processes they used and gave great examples. More...

Mike Volna, U of M associate vice president for finance and assistant chief financial officer
FORUM

Mike Volna gave a fact-filled and nuanced picture of the U’s finances

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At UMRA’s first in-person forum of 2023, members of the Retirees Association heard an excellent presentation by Mike Volna, the University associate vice president for finance and assistant chief financial officer. More...