Mike Austin puts his knowledge to good use as a volunteer
Mike Austin has been a regular participant in UMRA’s Silver Gopher Service Corps over the past two years as a volunteer greeting students and parents at major recruiting events hosted by the U of M Office of Admissions. He has also participated, individually, in one of the Medical School’s research projects on campus. He explained in a recent interview why he feels good about volunteering: “I have the time, I have the ability, and I get bored sitting around.”
Austin retired from the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, and he’s put his knowledge of buildings, building codes, and the environment to good use as a volunteer off campus. As a director of his condo homeowners’ association in St. Paul, he spends much of his time dealing with infrastructure and budget issues.
In addition, he serves on the Ramsey County Capital Improvement Program Citizens' Advisory Committee, which reviews requests and makes recommendations to the county board. The group recently recommended funding a project to extend the Bruce Vento Regional Trail to White Bear Lake and, Austin said, “some projects for the Ramsey County’s Sheriff’s Department to improve security for the medical staff who work at the jail.”
Austin also volunteers with Twin Cities Maker, a non-profit, volunteer-driven community of artists, engineers, and makers. The group shares a workshop located in the Seward neighborhood of Minneapolis. “It's an open space with various departments for woodworking, metal working, electronics, blacksmithing, welding, picture framing, screen printing, and more,” Austin explained.
Beyond volunteering, Austin loves to travel and is studying Spanish. “I started a year ago with a Spanish immersion course in Queretaro, Mexico, and I've gotten to a basic conversational level,” he said. He meets weekly via Zoom with a tutor, and he’s joined a Spanish-language book group that meets every other week.
—Peggy Mann Rinehart
News
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Deanne Magnusson was raised in a family in which education and volunteerism were encouraged. She earned three degrees at the U of M, and enjoyed a career working in education with leaders and schools in Minnesota and across the world. These experiences, and her volunteer work today with URVC, continue to transform her as an educator and as a person.
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UMRA’s online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays is a unique venue hosting diverse content that is enjoyed by people around the world. If you enjoy helping authors polish their products for publication, JOIE is looking for a new leader. It’s an opportunity that has been tremendously rewarding for the outgoing editor-in-chief.
UMRA has lost contact with many members because of the unfortunate demise of your @umn.edu email accounts. If you haven’t done so already, please update your email address on our system. It won’t take long.