HELLO, my name is Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers
Hometown: South Saint Paul
When did you join UMRA? In 2021.
What was your very first job? I washed dishes in a restaurant at age 15. I was living in northern Wisconsin during that time and also mowed lawns, babysat, cleaned cabins, and delivered papers.
What was your occupation when you retired from FT work? My title was Animal Diagnostician 3, for the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory on the Twin Cities campus in St. Paul. I ran PCR diagnostic tests for bacterial and viral infections of animals, mostly for the livestock and poultry industries in Minnesota. The lab also runs samples from many other states, some arriving daily through the MSP airport, so it was a fast-paced job. The lab also runs tests for the medical device industry, vaccine manufacturers, and zoos. I also did sequence analysis to help identify bacterial pathogens. I have newfound respect for anyone involved in public health regarding the COVID crisis.
What was your first car? A 1974 Ford Pinto I purchased from my sister's friend, a U of M grad student in dentistry.
If you could learn a new skill, what would you like it to be? I would like to learn a new language and then use it when travelling.
Do you have a favorite place on the U of M campus? The ice cream shop in the Gopher Spot, in the basement of the St. Paul Student Center. Sweet corn ice cream is my favorite!
What is a fun fact about you we might not know? I was born in the car on the way to the hospital. My dad delivered me after quickly pulling over to the side of the street. He had to yell out the window to a kid walking to school that morning to call an ambulance, so that kid got a front row biology lesson. By the time the ambulance arrived, I was born. But we got an ambulance escort to the hospital. My 15 minutes of fame.
What is something you currently enjoy doing with your time? Hiking with the UMRA hiking club. I also enjoy cross country skiing, snowshoeing, gardening, and reading. I hope to do more traveling as COVID eases up.
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.
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: