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
On December 7, many of us will lose our UMN email addresses and any files associated with these accounts. There are three basic things we need to do to prepare.
UMRA member Susan Kubitschek attended the University of Minnesota on the G.I. Bill and, after working at the U for 40 years, retired as assistant dean and director of Collegiate Life in the College of Science and Engineering.
Delegates to the Big Ten Retirees Association 2024 annual conference met at The Ohio State University in July to learn about Ohio State, share ideas, and develop closer ties among the 28 attendees from 12 of the 14 Big Ten schools. Minnesota will host the conference in 2026.
“UMRA members are engaged ‘University citizens’ with decades of experience at every level of this great institution, and we want to have a mutually useful and effective relationship with the Board of Regents,” says John Finnegan, UMRA’s new liaison to the regents.
UMRA member Mike Austin is taking full advantage of his retirement to volunteer in a variety of activities, travel, and learn a new language. He says, “I have the time, I have the ability, and I get bored sitting around.”
Funding of up to $5,000 per grant is available to support U of M retirees’ research, instructional history, new scholarship, or creative interests.
Members of UMRA’s 2024–25 Board of Directors were elected in May. Directors are elected to three-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms.
Fall is approaching and UMRA needs everyone to renew their membership. New membership cards for 2024–25 include the QR code you need to access one of the great benefits of membership: a discounted rate in University parking facilities.