Help wanted: STEM volunteers
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has been a strong supporter of Minnesota STEM programs for many years, with our members volunteering for a wide range of initiatives developed to link youth and families to the domains of science, technology, engineering, and math. Integrated STEM education provides intentionally designed learning experiences for students. And volunteers who assist in STEM events come away from the experience having enjoyed the energy, excitement, and individual successes of the student participants—every bit as much as the kids themselves!
This spring there are two volunteer opportunities available that exemplify how STEM concepts and processes interact across scientific domains and within others, such as language and the arts. The Young Authors Conference comprises four one-day events where students learn that good writing skills are important in life, and are encouraged and challenged to become better writers. During the STEM Career Day events, students work with college instructors and industry professionals during a day spent on a college campus, in interactive breakout sessions in college labs.
Both opportunities take place during the second half of May and are currently seeking volunteers who love learning—and kids!—to assist. If either or both of these are of interest, please contact URVC at [email protected] or 612-625-8016 for details about times, locations, and specific responsibilities.
—Marva Sullivan, URVC project communicator
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: