Event Summary

Book notes | A unique and fascinating look into North Korea

Event Date: August 21, 2020, at 2:00 PM

An enthralling memoir, “The Girl with Seven Names” describes author Hyeonseo Lee’s story as she defies all odds to live a life of freedom outside North Korea.

Author, activist, Regent Emerita Josie Johnson to join us "in conversation"

UMRA looks forward to welcoming author, activist, and Regent Emerita Josie Johnson for our September forum and to learning more about her life, her legacy, and her hopes for the future of the civil rights struggle. 

UMRA A.M. | Dealing with history and heritage

Will vergangenheitsbewältigung become the next German loanword in American English? It means “working through the past” and it will be the topic for discussion when we welcome guest speaker Henning Schroeder, PhD, director of international programs in the College of Pharmacy for UMRA’s first morning forum on Tuesday, September 8.

Protecting your online presence

Are you concerned about the safety of your digital data? If not, you should be. This one-hour presentation by U of M Security Analyst Jenny Blaine will provide an overview of cyber threats and best practices for protecting ourselves from them. 

UMRA welcomes EVP and Provost Rachel Croson

We are pleased to welcome Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Croson as our guest speaker for an UMRA forum by way of Zoom. Dr. Croson began her appointment just as the coronavirus outbreak was gaining recognition as a global pandemic. She has already distinguished herself by helping to shape the University’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and by working on the U’s reopening plans for September. 

Book notes | Italian Shoes

Event Date: July 17, 2020, at 2:00 PM

Quirky characters help lift this initially depressing story into one of redemption and personal growth.

Medicare for all? For some? For none?

Medicare reform is on the agenda of most candidates running for office this fall. In UMRA’s June 16 webinar via Zoom, Jon Christianson, PhD, will discuss characteristics of the existing program, point out differences in proposals on the table, and assess their implications.

Meet Medaria Arradondo, chief, MPD

Chief of Police Medaria “Rondo” Arradondo is widely believed to be the right person at the right time to lead the Minneapolis Police Department. Since the arrest, restraint, and death of George Floyd, the chief has responded with calm, visible leadership and continued to model the principles he espouses. His mission and objectives could not be more prescient.

Resilient coping: Facing life course realities plus a pandemic and community upheaval

Maintaining resiliency and hope for self and others while growing older can be challenging, even in the best of times. But it is especially challenging now that we are dealing simultaneously with a pandemic, economic recession, and community upheaval.

Book notes | Where the Crawdads Sing

Event Date: May 15, 2020, at 2:00 PM

Delia Owens’ novel is “… an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder.”

Commissioner Myron Frans to keynote UMRA’s May meeting via Zoom

Our keynote speaker scheduled for May 19, Minnesota Commissioner of Management and Budget Myron Frans, has generously agreed to speak to us through the magic of Zoom. He will speak about the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic and its fiscal impact, and offer his perspective on the University as part of the long-term success plan for the state.

On the front lines of immigration

Event Date: February 19, 2020, at 9:00 AM

UMRA members had an opportunity to hear from a panel of legal experts in early March about the immigration situation at the Texas-Mexico border, and to learn about the large number of international students who come to the University.

February workshop: Senior housing and long-term care

Tetyana Shippee, PhD, (pictured above) a social gerontologist at the U of M School of Public Health, will be joined by Cheryl Hennen, state ombudsman for long-term care at the Minnesota Board on Aging, and Susan Farr, a vice president at Ebenezer, Minnesota’s largest senior-living operator, for a panel discussion moderated by UMRA’s Ron Anderson.

RiverFirst: Unlocking the potential of the Minneapolis riverfront

The Mississippi River is one of the Twin Cities’ greatest assets. Our guest speaker for February, Tom Evers, executive director of the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, will tell us about the RiverFirst Initiative, a bold vision to bring significant new historic, cultural, and recreational amenities to one of the most iconic locales in the state.

Book notes: Stories of adversity and perseverance

Event Date: January 17, 2020, at 2:00 PM

In her latest book, Leadership: In turbulent times, historian Doris Kearns Goodwin tells how four presidents persevered through early life adversities with strong determination to succeed.