Do it for the team
I’ve been an UMRA member for more than a decade and each year I’m impressed anew by the energy and dedication of those who do the work of the organization. They’re all volunteers.
It takes a lot of work to plan and produce our monthly programs, our social events, our special interest group meetings, our newsletter, our website, and our database operations. The volunteers come from all parts of the University and freely give their time to make UMRA happen.
I invite you to join in their efforts. But if that’s not possible, there’s something else you can do to help support UMRA: Renew your membership.
Perhaps you haven’t been able to take part in any of UMRA’s many activities this past year, or you may not have found ones that suit you. Even so, your dues payment would be a real help. UMRA is a dues-supported organization, and we need dues money to pay for our ever-increasing operating expenses.
If you’ve already renewed your membership for 2027, thank you! If your membership has lapsed, you can easily reinstate it online. Go to umra.umn.edu > Portal > Renew Membership. If you have trouble renewing, email [email protected] and one of UMRA’s tech volunteers will help you.
You can also renew by mailing a check. Contact UMRA Treasurer Kristy Frost-Griep at [email protected] for instructions.
UMRA is a worthy organization to support. I hope you’ll renew and find it possible and appealing to participate in one of our activities in the coming year.
—Ron Matross, UMRA Membership and Communication committee chair
News
Declining government funding, inflation, loss of purchasing power, low birthrates, and lack of trust in the nation’s institutions have combined to create a confidence crisis in higher education not seen for decades. Minnesota is no exception.
Since its inception 40 years ago, the University Retirees Volunteer Center has focused on identifying where help is needed within the University community and has provided opportunities for thousands of retirees to use their skills, experience, and interests to help address those needs.
Meet UMRA member Nancy Carpenter. She grew up in the American heartland; nevertheless, she was surprised by the frigid, snow-covered landscape when she visited Minnesota for the first tine to interview for a job teaching chemistry at UMN Morris.
UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees are intended to support projects related to University of Minnesota retirees' research, instructional or work history, or new scholarly interests that contribute to the academic reputation of the University.
After working decades in communications for the U’s Center for Transportation Studies, Pam Snople perks up whenever she sees transportation news. It’s usually the salacious stuff that makes the headlines. But, behind the scenes, vehicle automation research keeps rolling along — including key work by UMN researchers.
Renée Good was killed in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, during Operation Metro Surge. One month later, a community memorial to mourn her death and celebrate her life was held. Susan Ranney attended the ceremony and wrote an evocative essay on the service, which was published recently in UMRA’s Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays.
Professor Emeritus Alan Kagan has played many roles in his nearly 30 years of service with the University Retirees Volunteer Center. From assisting with phone calls to becoming office manager and eventually serving on and chairing the Volunteer Center’s board, Kagan helped build the organization into the robust operation it is today.
We’re already getting organized to identify and recruit members to step into leadership roles in 2027. As a well-informed and engaged UMRA member, you are invited to play a role in the process.
I’ve been an UMRA member for more than a decade and each year I’m impressed anew by the energy and dedication of the volunteers who do the work of the organization. I invite you to join in their efforts. But if that’s not possible, there’s something else you can do to help support UMRA: Renew your membership.
You don’t have to go far, and you don’t have to drink coffee. It’s the conversation that matters. It’s a new, experimental effort being organized by the wizards of UMRA; a meet-up of members who live in the same zip code.
UMRA will be collecting hats, mittens, and scarves at our November 17 Luncheon Forum to help keep Minnesota kids warm this winter.