Building community through shared writing
UMRA member Marilyn DeLong was one of three panelists who participated in a recent discussion and idea exchange on the value of shared writing groups as a means of community building, hosted by the national Association of Retirement Organizations in Higher Education (AROHE). She shared the history of the University of Minnesota Women’s Club and its Creative Writing Circle.
DeLong, U of M College of Design professor emerita, is the current president of the Women’s Club and co-leader of the Creative Writing Circle. Members of the circle are writing memoirs, historical fiction, poetry, or whatever is of interest. Some volunteer to submit samples of their writing, which the group then reviews and “offers support and critique” at its monthly, two-hour meetings, DeLong said. “The critique is kind, insightful, questioning, and focused on improvements.”
AROHE board member Dolores (Dee) Stegelin, Clemson University College of Education professor emerita, compiled an excellent summary of the November 2025 panel discussion, which includes a list of shared writing resources. See "AROHE Community Building Brief” to learn more.
—Eric Hockert, UMRA past president and AROHE president-elect
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UMRA member George Swan retired in 2021 after 30+ years at University Libraries, but still returns to campus to visit one or another of the libraries at least twice a week in his current role as a student/retiree.
UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees program is an annual competition for grants to support projects related to retirees’ research, instructional history, new scholarly or creative interests.
UMRA needs everyone to renew their membership for the coming year. Thank you if you’ve already renewed! If you haven’t, please renew right away.