Volunteering can be transformative!
The retirees who serve on the Leadership Council of the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC) clearly believe that volunteering contributes to individual and community health and well-being.
“My parents demonstrated that volunteering is a way of life, from taking meals to neighbors dealing with illness or grief, to looking for ways to help those struggling in school or church,” says Sally Gregory Kohlstedt. “Life without that sense of connection and responsibility would seem to me quite empty. With it, my life is filled with friendships, evidence of stronger communities, and, indeed, more joy.”
Andy Phelan agrees: “Volunteering counters the isolated, siloed forces in today's society and fosters a sense that we are all in this together.”
URVC acts as a referral center to match and provide volunteer opportunities within both the University and the Twin Cities at large.
For Deanne Magnuson, volunteering at the University “provides continued connection to the research, teaching, and service mission of the University, as well as connection to faculty and staff colleagues, former and current students, their families and friends.”
Scott Elton loves learning about the goals of the various research projects [at the University] that he has been a part of, and says he has found “the researchers to be greatly appreciative.” He also says, “Being part of the excitement at Admissions’ new student events is simply wonderful. I especially enjoy interacting with parents who, you can tell, are proud their kid is here.”
Jeanne Jacobson works with pre-college age students through the Reader/Writer program and History Day, and says she enjoys “staying in touch with the students while doing volunteer projects with them.”
Immeasurable impact
Terry Smith finds joy in aligning his interests and abilities with community needs: “I participate in the River Valley Riders program in Afton. It provides a supportive community for those with special needs to connect with horses and experience life-changing benefits.”
David Hunter regularly delivers meals and assists older adults in the Twin Cities. “It gives me great pleasure to be able to reach out to all with a welcoming greeting,” he says.
Kristy Frost-Griep, who serves as treasurer for both UMRA and URVC, feels “the value of volunteer work is significantly under-reported and undervalued.” Yet, she goes on to say, “The impact of volunteering is immeasurable. And being part of a group working together is extremely rewarding, particularly since, after retirement, work no longer provides that.”
Don Lifto notes that there can be barriers to delivering needed help, including “rules and regulations, red tape, and overly complex application and eligibility requirements. [But] building a foundation of trust opens doors so help can be delivered to those who need it.”
Likewise, Michelle Trudeau-Spanjers says, “We can try to counteract some of the financial cutbacks that are being made by offering our time to those areas of need. I don’t think many people have yet to feel cuts to federal programs, but they will soon.”
Council Chair Jerry Rinehart, who asked members to provide their perspectives, says, “Volunteering with URVC is an excellent way to follow your passion, pursue your interests, and advocate for the University and its mission.”
Visit urvc.umn.edu to learn more about volunteering through URVC. Many opportunities are available.
—Peggy Mann Rinehart
News
Declining government funding, inflation, loss of purchasing power, low birthrates, and lack of trust in the nation’s institutions have combined to create a confidence crisis in higher education not seen for decades. Minnesota is no exception.
Since its inception 40 years ago, the University Retirees Volunteer Center has focused on identifying where help is needed within the University community and has provided opportunities for thousands of retirees to use their skills, experience, and interests to help address those needs.
Meet UMRA member Nancy Carpenter. She grew up in the American heartland; nevertheless, she was surprised by the frigid, snow-covered landscape when she visited Minnesota for the first tine to interview for a job teaching chemistry at UMN Morris.
UMRA’s Professional Development Grants for Retirees are intended to support projects related to University of Minnesota retirees' research, instructional or work history, or new scholarly interests that contribute to the academic reputation of the University.
After working decades in communications for the U’s Center for Transportation Studies, Pam Snople perks up whenever she sees transportation news. It’s usually the salacious stuff that makes the headlines. But, behind the scenes, vehicle automation research keeps rolling along — including key work by UMN researchers.
Renée Good was killed in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, during Operation Metro Surge. One month later, a community memorial to mourn her death and celebrate her life was held. Susan Ranney attended the ceremony and wrote an evocative essay on the service, which was published recently in UMRA’s Journal of Opinions, Ideas & Essays.
Professor Emeritus Alan Kagan has played many roles in his nearly 30 years of service with the University Retirees Volunteer Center. From assisting with phone calls to becoming office manager and eventually serving on and chairing the Volunteer Center’s board, Kagan helped build the organization into the robust operation it is today.
We’re already getting organized to identify and recruit members to step into leadership roles in 2027. As a well-informed and engaged UMRA member, you are invited to play a role in the process.
I’ve been an UMRA member for more than a decade and each year I’m impressed anew by the energy and dedication of the volunteers who do the work of the organization. I invite you to join in their efforts. But if that’s not possible, there’s something else you can do to help support UMRA: Renew your membership.
You don’t have to go far, and you don’t have to drink coffee. It’s the conversation that matters. It’s a new, experimental effort being organized by the wizards of UMRA; a meet-up of members who live in the same zip code.
UMRA will be collecting hats, mittens, and scarves at our November 17 Luncheon Forum to help keep Minnesota kids warm this winter.
Beginning January 1, 2027, the University of Minnesota is making updates to medical plans, the pharmacy vendor, and the Wellbeing Program incentive that apply to retirees and dependents enrolled in these plans.
The University of Minnesota has had a presence at the Great Minnesota Get-Together for 167 years. And on September 3, 2026, UMRA made its Minnesota State Fair debut to talk with fairgoers (on Seniors Day) about retirement and to promote opportunities to volunteer through our University Retirees Volunteer Center.
Like all of us, UMRA member Barbara Heinemann has been reflecting on 9/11 and life in the 25 years since then, with mixed feelings.
December 31 is the application deadline for UMRA’s 2027 Professional Development Grants for Retirees competition. Retirees from all five University of Minnesota campuses are eligible to apply. We invited Brad Hokanson, professor emeritus, UMN Department of Design Innovation, to tell us about the work supported by his 2026 grant to promote teaching creativity in high schools.
Meet UMRA member and volunteer extraordinaire Kay Louis. She devoted her career as an Extension educator — “bringing the University to the people” — to developing and providing programming for adults and youth.
The UMRA membership year runs from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. If you haven’t yet renewed your membership for 2027, it’s definitely time to do so!
UMRA has a Facebook group that is open to UMN retirees and others with close ties to the University, for posting messages about anything University- or retiree-related. Learn more.
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: