Volunteer Ambassadors / Greeters at Northrop
A University Retirees Volunteer Center Project Institute for Advanced Study "Thursdays @ 3:30"
October Events
Here are opportunities to attend lectures, performances, and discussions on a wide range of topics while serving as greeter at Northrop Auditorium for the I.A.S. "Thursday at 3:30" Series. The Institute of Advanced Studies offers events in the newly redesigned Northrop Auditorium. These "Thursday" series are held in the 2nd floor Crosby Seminar Room, 240 Northrop.
As is usual for our campus projects' policy, parking will be free for volunteers. The coupon will be provided by an I A S staff when you arrive. Parking is convenient in the Church St. Garage.
Respond to [email protected] (or call 612-625-8016) with your interest in being an "ambassador" and specify which event(s). Provide your email & phone#. Volunteers must arrive 30 min. prior to event time, which is 3:00 pm for this series. Programs are 1–2 hours in length. There is no required dress code.
Next Events: Time given is the "ambassador" on duty arrival time.
September 29 (Thurs.) @ 3:00 Crosby Seminar Room (Northrop)
"Can the Subaltern Genome Code: Envisioning Innovation & Equity in an Era of Personalized Medicine": Lecture by Prof. Ruha Benjamin (African American Studies, Princeton University)
October 13 (Thurs.) @ 3:00 Crosby Seminar Room (Northrop)
"Dracula: Just in Time for Halloween": Panel Discussion by Juliet Burba, Chief Curator, The Bakken Museum; Professors Joanie Smith & Margaret Werry (Theater Arts & Dance, CLA, Univ. of Minnesota)
October 20 (Thurs.) @ 3:00 Crosby Seminar Room (Northrop)
"Structural Racism & Resistance: 1950's to Present": Lecture by Professor Beryl Satter (History, Rutgers Univ.)
October 27 (Thurs.) @ 3:00 Crosby Seminar Room (Northrop)
"Memory Works: Documenting Legacies of a 'Forgotten War'": A screening of 3 short films, memories of the Korean War, by Deann Borshay Liem (Film Director)
Alan L. Kagan, Project Director
University Retirees Volunteer Center
University of Minnesota
News
The election of UMRA officers and new board members for 2024–25 will be conducted via an online poll from May 13 to 19, with the results to be announced at our annual meeting on May 21. Look for the ballot in your email inbox on May 13. Diane Young has been nominated to be president-elect.
“I convinced myself I could handle this problem without support groups or doing additional research, but that’s only because I didn’t want to make it any more real than it already was. Denial comes in many forms, and one is to avoid thinking about the problem any more than need be.” —Alice A. Larson
Meet UMRA member Peter Moe. He retired in 2023 after a career that spanned nearly half a century at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, and is credited with developing the “Arb” into one of the few in the U.S. with world-class fruit and landscape breeding programs.
The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) has welcomed two new members with valuable skills and experience to the URVC Leadership Council: Lynn Slifer and Jeanne Jacobson.
The University plans to remove retirees from the @umn.edu internet identity domain on December 7. UMRA has advocated for ensuring continued access to this identity (including email, Google Workspace, and associated services), citing University retirees’ enduring contributions to and engagement with the University. Thus far, our efforts have not prompted any change of plans.
Leading the online Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays has been a labor of love for Kris Bettin. Alas, a change in family needs has necessitated her retirement. So, JOIE is seeking a new leader to join a savvy editorial committee of five and bring fresh ideas for continued development of the UMRA-sponsored journal.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to explore your photographic interests, hone your photographic skills, and hear what other retirees are up to, the UMRA Photo Club is a great place to be. We have fun! And whatever your skill level, there is room for everybody.
Soon you will receive an email or letter inviting you to renew your UMRA membership for the 2024–25 year. Please renew before you get busy with your summer activities. Your support helps to make our programs and many other member benefits possible!
This will be a new regular column where you can find organizational tasks that need your help! We are currently looking for help researching a new UMRA Membership Database and URVC volunteer database, and a co-producer for UMRA's Zoom webinars. See more details: