From the President
2026-05: Please accept my gratitude
The great bard William Shakespeare coined the now-famous phrase in Twelfth Night, Act III, Scene 3: “I can no other answer make but thanks. And thanks, and ever thanks.” At this moment in time, such a simple phrase captures my profound gratitude for the amazing opportunity you gave me to serve as president of UMRA. Your encouragement, friendship, and support helped me learn how to effectively function in the role.
Over this past year, I’ve recognized and appreciated how UMRA reflects its amazing members, an inspiring community of individuals on their own unique retirement journeys. I found individuals who generously shared their experiences, and learned from and supported each other. From communications to programming to shared interests and more, dedicated members volunteered to make the UMRA experience possible. As president, I valued that you said “yes” when asked to commit your time and talent to enable the smooth running of UMRA. And I’m indebted that when you committed to doing something, you followed through on time with style and grace. Thank you!
When I joined UMRA in 2019, little did I know I’d stepped onto the path of a very enriching retirement journey. Honestly, attending my first luncheon—it seems so long ago now—felt a bit awkward. But I showed up and was welcomed. From there, my personal UMRA path led to so many rich opportunities and possibilities.
I found community, inspiration, and collaboration with amazingly talented and generous people on a similar path. I experienced activities as varied as drafting meeting agendas to creating the name tags members wore at events to greeting attendees at webinars, forums, and social gatherings, to representing UMRA to University leaders and much more. I’m still a bit astonished by the richness of it all, but ever grateful to have said “yes” when the opportunity came along. For me, it was the right moment in time.
“Thanks” is such a simple word, yet so appropriate as my year as UMRA’s president winds down. Thank you for your vote of confidence and for your collaboration along the way that enabled my personal UMRA journey, one of unexpected self-discovery and growth. As I write this last column, I’m looking forward to continued participation, sharing with you this amazing community we affectionately call UMRA.
To each and every UMRA member—to YOU—I say, “Thanks. And thanks, and ever thanks.”