HELLO, my name is Nancy Carpenter
Hometown. I was born in Oklahoma City (OKC), and was a child there during the boom time — literally, because there were daily sonic booms as part of an FAA experiment. (Really!)
What was your very first job? Not counting babysitting, which I abhorred, my first “real” job was sailboat rental and sailing lessons on Lake Hefner in OKC. Best. High. School. Job. Ever.
What was your role at the University when you retired from full-time work? I was a professor of chemistry on the Morris campus, as well as the director of the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program there.
When did you become a member of UMRA and what prompted you to join? August 2024. I must admit, the free first year sucked me in. But the chance to stay connected with the University and meet colleagues (some new, some old acquaintances) has been a real plus.
What or who persuaded you to become a professor of chemistry at a small, public, liberal arts college on the Minnesota prairie? I always knew that I wanted a career teaching at a small liberal arts college, but my graduate advisor persuaded (coerced?) me to do a post-doc at the University of California, Irvine. Shortly after I arrived at Irvine, one of my grad school colleagues called to tell me about an opening at a small college in Morris, Minnesota (which I had never heard of). So, in February 1989 I got on a plane at the John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California (warm, sunny), and departed for the Twin Cities (frigid, snow-covered). After my interview the next day at Morris, I knew it was where I wanted to spend my career. It was a perfect fit.
Over your 30-plus years at UMN Morris you were recognized several times for excellence in teaching. What was it that you loved about teaching? Connecting with the students, helping them navigate this fraught time in their life. Showing them that they, too, could master chemistry and, even if they couldn't, I wouldn't think any less of them.
Do you have a favorite place on the UMN Morris campus? Maybe the pool in the PE Center (now the Regional Fitness Center). Back in the day I would go there to swim laps and lose myself — and all the attendant struggles/troubles — in the water.
What is a fun fact about you that we might not know? In my retirement, I landed a job teaching chemistry labs at St. Olaf, where I have had the fun (?) surprise of teaching many of my former students' children!
What is something else you currently enjoy doing with your time? Kayaking on the many small lakes in southeastern Minnesota.
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.