The University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) greets 2026 with some exciting news: its office is moving in January to Morrill Hall, which houses the University’s administrative offices on the Twin Cities campus. The space is being provided by the office of Chris Gade, the U of M vice president for communications, who oversees University Marketing Communications. 

“We’re excited about the opportunity to partner more closely with the University Marketing Communications team, and to enhance our efforts to engage more retiree volunteers on campus to support the U’s success,” said Jerry Rinehart, URVC Leadership Council chair.     

Since the early 2000s, URVC has been located in the McNamara Alumni Center, sharing space with both UMRA and the University of Minnesota Women’s Club. While this arrangement has worked well, the Morrill Hall location should facilitate better alignment with the focus of University Marketing Communications: driving awareness and understanding, and inspiring engagement that furthers the reputation and priorities of the University.   

Identifying, developing, and delivering support for the campus community is central to URVC’s activities. On-campus engagement has grown in recent years with Silver Gopher Service Corps volunteers assisting in admissions and other student support activities, and a multitude of retirees participating in University research projects. 

Participation in volunteer projects overall, however, has not kept pace with the growth in UMRA membership. With the challenges presented by cuts in higher education budgets, it seems likely URVC volunteers could play increasingly important roles in support for academic and service units. And, as URVC Leadership Council member Scott Elton says, "It’s just a lot of fun to work with fellow retires in supporting the U of M.”

The new location primarily provides office space for work-study students who support URVC’s communication and operations. A more centrally located place to work and meet with supervisors between classes is likely to make URVC employment a more attractive option for work-study students reviewing job opportunities each year.

“While changes always present challenges,” URVC Vice Chair and Project Director Deanne Magnusson says, “the move to Morrill Hall on Northrop Mall is both physically and symbolically positive and a great way to start the new year.”

To learn more about volunteer opportunities available through URVC, please visit urvc.umn.edu or call  612-625-8016.

—Peggy Mann Rinehart