HELLO, my name is Julie Westlund
Hometown: I was born in Duluth and grew up in Two Harbors, Minnesota.
When did you join UMRA? In the fall of 2022 and I'm so glad I did! I've found the programs to be very interesting and informative.
What was your very first job? Babysitting my three siblings for 25 cents an hour. I did a lot more babysitting during junior and senior high school; then I worked at the Lake County Historical Society Museum in Two Harbors for several summers.
What was your occupation when you retired from FT work? I retired as the director of UMD Career and Internship Services, a position I enjoyed for 30-plus years.
What about your work in higher education meant the most to you? Many aspects of my 40-year career in UMD Career Services meant a lot to me! The most important was the opportunity to do meaningful work serving students and making a difference in their lives. Some of my most precious memories are of moments when students shared their stories with me and thanked me for helping them. Another aspect was the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding colleagues. Conceiving and implementing large U of M System projects such as GoldPASS and the U of M Job Fair that impacted students at all U of M campuses was another important factor that made my work very satisfying.
If you were competing in the 2024 Olympics in Paris, what would you like your sport to be? Swimming. I spent many happy hours swimming at our family lakeside cabin, and participated in a girls' synchronized swimming club during junior and senior high school.
Do you have a favorite place on campus? My favorite place was the UMD Career and Internship Services office at 22 Solon Campus Center, where I worked with wonderful colleagues and students. We created a warm, inviting, and fun atmosphere for all who entered. It was my “happy place!”
What is a fun fact about you we might not know? I’m a foodie. I enjoy the adventure of finding new restaurants and experimenting with new recipes.
What is something you currently enjoy doing with your time? In retirement, I’ve taken up walking and yoga and enjoy doing both with friends. I also enjoy a variety of creative activities from quilting to gardening to flower arranging. Reading is another interest. I love to read and share my favorite books with others.
News
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.
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.
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.
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: