2014-2015 PDGR Awards
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT GRANTS AWARD CYCLE 6 in 2013-2014 for 2014-2015
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. Congratulations to the following:
Ronald E. Anderson, emeritus professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, CLA, U of M-Twin Cities: A Handbook on World Suffering
Thomas J. Bouchard, emeritus of Psychology, Department of Psychology, CLA, U of M-Twin Cities: Personality “Writ Large
Katherine Fennelly, emeritus of Public Affairs, Humphrey School of Public Affairs, U of M-Twin Cities: Online Training on Immigration Topics
Cathy L. Gierke, research assistant, Halberg Chronobiology Center, IT, Carlson School of Management, U of M-Twin Cities: Analysis of Rhythms Using R: Introducing Chronomics Analysis Toolkit (CAT)
Thomas Jordan, emeritus of Physics, College of Science & Engineering, U of M-Duluth: Dependent Symmetries in Open Quantum Dynamics
Harvey B. Keynes, emeritus of Mathematics, College of Science & Engineering, U of M-Twin Cities: Addressing Gender Issues in Programs for Highly Talented K-12 Mathematics Students
Kathleen O’Brien, Vice President of University Services, U of M-Twin Cities: Women in Minnesota Local Government, 1970-2000
Carla R. Phillips, emeritus of History, CLA, U of M-Twin Cities: Who Owns the Fish in the Sea? Private Control of Spain’s Southwestern Tuna Fisheries, 14th-16th Centuries
William D. Phillips, emeritus of History, CLA, U of M-Twin Cities: Encounters within Europe: The Ethnographic Observations of Foreign Travelers in Iberia in the 15th & 16th Centuries
Herbert G. Scherer, emeritus of University Library, U of M-Twin Cities: Conversion of Historic Movie Poster Glass Slides to Digital Format
Roger H. Stuewer, emeritus of Physics and Astronomy, College of Science and Engineering, U of M-Twin Cities: Application for Supplemental Travel Expenses
William D. Sudderth, emeritus of Statistics, CLA, U of M-Twin Cities: Finitely Additive Stochastic Dynamic Programming
News
Make your own discoveries in Portugal in 2025 on this journey to medieval monasteries, fertile vineyards and cities that are equal parts history and modern energy. Deadline to express an interest is Friday June 7, 2024.
Spend eight nights in Madrid and Barcelona in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace the colorful history of the Canadian Maritime provinces for 11 nights in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend four nights in Québec City in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Spend 9 nights on the Douro River in Portugal in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
Embrace and explore Mexico City as it showcases all facets of Mexico’s national character in 2025. Deadline to express an interest is Friday, June 7, 2024.
Bright and bold living history awaits you in beautiful St. Augustine, Florida in 2025. Express your interest by June 7, 2024.
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: