New discounts for UMRA members
UMRA members can now enjoy Twin Cities University Libraries borrowing privileges by joining the Friends of the Libraries at the annual membership level of $40—a discount of 50 percent! This level of membership includes unlimited access to online journals, magazines, and newspaper subscriptions via public workstations at any Twin Cities campus library. We have UMRA President Julie Sweitzer to thank for negotiating this new discount. Go to libnews.umn.edu/umnfriends/ to learn more and to join or renew your UMRA Friends of the Libraries membership.
Gopher Sports has been providing discounts to UMRA members for years, and this year we have exciting new opportunities. UMRA members are eligible for a 20 percent discount on two season tickets for Gopher Sports. Wow! Plus, Gopher Sports will host “UMRA nights” with group seating at select events throughout the season, beginning with these three:
- Gopher Football vs. Penn State at Huntington Bank Stadium on Saturday, November 23
- Gopher Women’s Hockey vs. Brown at Ridder Arena on Friday, January 3
- Gopher Men’s Hockey vs. Ohio State at Mariucci Arena on Saturday, February 22
Single-game tickets and discounted season tickets may be purchased by going to gophersports.com/promotions and entering the promo code “UMRA.”
Go to umra.umn.edu > Membership Benefits for information on the many discounts available to UMRA members.
—Bev Moe, UMRA Sponsorships and Discounts manager, [email protected]
News
Then there are the unexpected things that happen…
… like a box of family history from a cousin that was completely unexpected. Perhaps it is like an unexpected DNA match.
Belonging to a group, a pack, a tribe, or a community helps us to live longer and be happier. Virtually every study that examines factors contributing to longevity identifies social connections as a key factor. Social connections enhance happiness, too, according to “Everything is Better Together,” a large-scale study published recently.
The University of Minnesota Medicare insurance program will end December 31. To facilitate this change, the University has arranged for Via Benefits to assist with insurance selection and enrollment. Working with Via is free and optional; retirees can also go to an insurance broker or contact insurance companies directly.
December 31 is the application deadline for UMRA’s 2026 Professional Development Grants for Retirees competition. Retirees from all five campuses within the U of M System are eligible to apply. Previous grant recipient Mark Bohnhorst, JD, is “deeply grateful” for the support provided by the program for his ongoing research about the Electoral College.
The University Board of Regents launched its fall meetings with the addition of four new interim regents appointed in August by Governor Tim Walz. The new members fill positions vacated by regents whose six-year terms expired earlier this year.
Meet UMRA member and quizmaster Dave Dorman. He has years of professional experience as a group facilitator, hosting conversations conducted in a civil atmosphere—something we need more of today!
The retirees who serve on the Leadership Council of the University Retirees Volunteer Center clearly believe that volunteering contributes to both individual and community health and well-being. In the words of one long-time volunteer, it “counters the isolated, siloed forces in today's society and fosters a sense that we are all in this together.”
There are many benefits to membership in UMRA, including discounted ticket prices for University Opera Theatre performances at the Ted Mann Concert Hall in Minneapolis.