Four leaders of the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) were honored with awards at the Fall 2019 Volunteer Reception hosted October 16 by the Continuing Education and Conference Center, with support from President Joan Gabel and Eastcliff. In announcing the awards for distinguished service, URVC Chair John Anderson (pictured second from right), shared the following:

Keystone Award, recognizing outstanding service to the URVC enterprise. Eric Hockert (far left) has been remarkably busy with activities that promote the URVC. He has spent a great number of hours meeting with University department heads to inform them about URVC and its cadre of volunteers who might assist with special projects. During the past year, he has been a steadying influence as changes have occurred with the launching of Better Impact together and with the concomitant modification of procedures in the URVC office. Eric currently serves as vice chair of the URVC Board of Directors.

Most Volunteer Hours Award. Marva Sullivan (second from left) recorded 351 hours as a volunteer for URVC over the past year. One of her major roles has been to write the descriptions of the projects which are used to recruit volunteers. These descriptions are posted on Better Impact, are sent by email to those persons who have expressed an interest in that particular type of activity, and sometimes are distributed more widely to members of the University of Minnesota Retirees Association. Marva also volunteers as a tutor for the Osseo Adult Basic Education program.

New Volunteer Award. Deanne Magnusson (right) is this year’s recipient of the New Volunteer Award.  In her first year volunteering through URVC, Deanne logged 76 hours working with two projects: Community Health Teachers involves meeting with current students of several health disciplines to give them a better sense of how to relate with patients, as well as some personal experience in those relationships. Deanne has also been a volunteer tutor in the Minnesota English Language Program where she meets weekly, one-on-one, helping an international student practice and improve skills in the English language.

Long-time Volunteer. Patricia Koors (who, unfortunately, was unable to be with us today) has been volunteering with URVC for 15 years! This year she served in a mock jury, giving law students trial experience; she has ushered at the Rarig Theater; and has been a participant in a University-sponsored research project.

Congratulations to the award recipients and thank you for your special devotion to volunteering.