The Professional Development Grants for Retirees (PDGR) Committee recently increased its membership to gain representation from the University of Minnesota beyond the Twin Cities campus. Joining the committee are Professor Emerita of Philosophy Pieranna Garavaso from UMN Morris and Professor Emeritus of Social Work Dennis Falk from UMN Duluth. 

Professors Garavaso and Falk will help the committee develop plans to increase mentorship of undergraduate students by grant awardees, search for additional sources of funding for the PDGR program, and make recommendations to the UMRA Board regarding the number and amounts of next year's awards. 

Application instructions for the upcoming round of PDGR grants will be available on the UMRA website by September 1 and will be accepted starting October 15. Approved proposals will be announced in February 2022 for grants starting April 1, 2022, and extending to June 30, 2023.

Anyone who wants to make a financial contribution to the program can do so online at z.umn.edu/PDGR-2020-campaign. We welcome your support!

—John Bantle, MD, chair, PDGR Committee 

Food for thought
"Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder."
- E.B. White